Add +1% ABV

Evorgrah · Feb 27, 2012

Alright, so me and my brother have one batch under our belts and we couldn't wait to do it again so we ordered two clone kits from austin homebrew supply. One is a new castle and one is an alaskan amber. While ordering, there is an option to add 1% ABV to your kit for like 2 bucks. It does so by adding 55% maltose and 45% glucose with "little flavor contribution." We jumped all over that idea and added it to both our kits. What are yall's opinion on using this "add +1% ABV to your 5 gallon batch"? Thanks.

petey_c · Feb 27, 2012

I'm trying to wean myself off of those. Those little 1%'ers sneak up on you sometimes. I haven't noticed any bad "flavor contributions" from them.

hobbeszilla · Feb 27, 2012

I have noticed a slight alcohol taste from the 1% boost. It's a slight, but somewhat noticeable flavor. I have used the boost twice, hoping the second time would prove the first time was a fluke. But the flavor came through on the second batch, so I won't use it again.

ronclark · Feb 27, 2012

Evorgrah said:
Alright, so me and my brother have one batch under our belts and we couldn't wait to do it again so we ordered two clone kits from austin homebrew supply. One is a new castle and one is an alaskan amber. While ordering, there is an option to add 1% ABV to your kit for like 2 bucks. It does so by adding 55% maltose and 45% glucose with "little flavor contribution." We jumped all over that idea and added it to both our kits. What are yall's opinion on using this "add +1% ABV to your 5 gallon batch"? Thanks.

I picked up a couple with a big order. I haven't used them yet because I haven't brewed anything that needed more volume since getting them. In retrospect, I think I could have probably skipped on them but will toss them in something at some point.

rhamilton · Feb 27, 2012

You can get an astringency or alcohol burn taste in some higher gravity brews but it ages out so it really doesn't 'ruin' anything, at least in my experience.

slarkin712 · Feb 27, 2012

I've never seen these alcohol boost things, but you can easily boost the ABV of your brew by 1% with some table sugar or dry malt extract. About 3/4 lb of table sugar added toward the end of your boil will add nearly 1% ABV to a 5 gallon batch, and sugar is cheap. This will not contribute any flavor, other than the alcohol flavor and make your beer a little drier. You could mix amounts of table sugar and malt extract just like the "alcohol boost" from the supply shop, and it should be cheaper.