1% Alcohol Boost.....

[Beerrific]

Ah, but the physical arrangement of each molecule is different! Ah...takes me bad to high school chemistry... .

Dextrose=D-glucose, the only biologically active stereoisomer of glucose

 

[Austinhomebrew]

Yes, glucose and dextrose are the same ... atleast Webster's Medical dictionary defines them as the same thing. They have the exact same chemical formula C6H12O6

We have a product called Beer Enhancer that is designed for canned kits that we mix DME and sugar together. This is not the same thing.

Alcohol Boost comes from the manufacturer in the form it is bagged. The manufacturer says it is a blend of Glucose and Maltose. Glucose and Dextrose may mean the same thing but the manufacturer doesn't say Dextose and Maltose. So that is why I said Glucose and Maltose.

It is not simply corn sugar. Our customers that try it like it and keep buying it. It is not for everyone and I don't push it on anyone. We had customers ask us to carry the product so we found out where to buy it. Sometimes we have a hard time getting the product because breweries buy a lot of it. We sell about 500 a month. I didn't know if people would want the product or not but they seem to like the product.

 

[Beerrific]

I am sorry but it isn't a gimmick. The reason it sounds like gimmick is that every 3 days on this forum, someone asks what it is and someone else answers that it is just regular corn sugar, which is false.

Yes, someone does ask very often. I want to point out that the last time this came up everyone was speculating on what this was made of (myself included) and when Forrest corrected us we suggested he add it to the description on the kit description page which he has done. Another reason why http://www.austinhomebrew.com is great! Thanks!

 

[Austinhomebrew]

Ah, but the physical arrangement of each molecule is different! Ah...takes me bad to high school chemistry... .

On deeper inspection, is it really so different than adding sugar (albeit often inverted or candi) to a belgian to pump it up without adding significant body? Do correct me if I'm wrong here; I'm no expert on belgians . Or for that matter, how we add 2 lbs of sugar (table, brown, corn, etc) to Edwort's Apfelwein to give it that extra kick?

To each his own with this product. Would I use it? Probably not, but that's not gonna make me start degrading others who do, when so many of us are doing (almost) the same thing with so many of our other brews.

It is not a lot different from adding inverted or beet sugar to pump up a belgian. The main difference in that case would be the price. Belgians seem to have a complex enough flavor that you wouldn't notice much change in flavor. The main point is that the alcohol boost will work in any beer and add alcohol without changing the flavor or color with the least amount of money leaving your pocket.

For the Apfelwein, If you use 2 lbs of table sugar it will give off a slight cidery taste which would hardly be noticed in an Apple beverage. On most beers you would taste it.

 

[RadicalEd]

Yes yes, but my point is that people here are adding similar things all the time so really they should just take a chill pill and not jump all over people who are considering using it, that's all.

For the Apfelwein, Dextrose is usually the weapon of choice for most of the brewers here; apparently it does not impart any additional flavors. Some people do use table sugar, but many people claim they can taste off flavors, even with the apply overtones. Just reporting the board consensus . Forrest, if you have the chance check out edwort's "man I love apfelwein" thread, it's good for some laughs, and who knows, maybe you could use it as an intro recipe to noobs who come into your store . I mean, it takes all of 15 minutes to make .

 

[Orfy]

Each to their own.

You can craft a balanced beer to the required profile with out it.
You can craft a lighter bodied higher ABV beer light coloured beer with out it.
I wouldn't consider using it.
In my opinion on a kit that is designed to be balance at the ABV it is, then it will change the recipe and may unbalance it purely for the sake of ABV.

BUT

It is an easy option for brewers who want to up ABV cheaply and easily.
And we know there are plenty of brewers who want just this.
So commercially it is a very good product that appeals to a market.

Lets face it. It's gotta be a no brainer compared to just dumping in plain sugar.
It's aimed at people who can not or do not want to formulate recipes.

If I was a retailer would I stock it, "Hell yeh"

Would I promote it?
It depends on the profit margin compared to the comparable product giving the characteristics required.
I'd want to educate the customer so they can make an informed choice.

Forest, thanks for your input. It's good to have the correct information.

 

[mikeyc]

Wow, I didn't know my question would cause such a stir. I ended up adding the boost for the last 10 minutes of the boil. I didn't put much thought into it when I ordered it, I was just like "1% alchohol boost, umm sure I'll try it." Will I use it again? dunno. We'll see how it turns out.

 

[Austinhomebrew]

Each to their own.

You can craft a balanced beer to the required profile with out it.
You can craft a lighter bodied higher ABV beer light coloured beer with out it.
I wouldn't consider using it.
In my opinion on a kit that is designed to be balance at the ABV it is, then it will change the recipe and may unbalance it purely for the sake of ABV.

BUT

It is an easy option for brewers who want to up ABV cheaply and easily.
And we know there are plenty of brewers who want just this.
So commercially it is a very good product that appeals to a market.

Lets face it. It's gotta be a no brainer compared to just dumping in plain sugar.
It's aimed at people who can not or do not want to formulate recipes.

If I was a retailer would I stock it, "Hell yeh"

Would I promote it?
It depends on the profit margin compared to the comparable product giving the characteristics required.
I'd want to educate the customer so they can make an informed choice.

Forest, thanks for your input. It's good to have the correct information.

Well put. I really don't promote the product other than explain the product on forums.
I saw a demand and supplied it. I just didn't realize how much of a demand there was until I started carrying the product.
You are correct in that the recipes are balanced before the alcohol boost but there are homebrewers that value a beer they like, only stronger.