Another what if?

[johnsonbrew]

My buddy and I both keg our beer and with every recipe they give us priming sugar. Is priming sugar fermentable? He thought that if he added a 1/4 cup of priming sugar it would increase the ABV. Is this correct and how much would too much be for a 5 gallon batch without changing flavor of the beer. I am begining to pile up quite the priming sugar and would like a use for it.

 

[Wolfhound180]

It sure is fermentable and will up the alcohol. As a rule of thumb, I say that 1 lb of sugar will up the alcohol by 1%. I would add any more than that or it will change the flavor that you are shooting for.

 

[johnsonbrew]

so no more than a pound, ok, I am wonderin which one to add it to, the amber ale or the pale ale any suggestions?

 

[neosapien]

depends on the grains really. personally, I'd think it would fit better in the pale. to me a darker beer says bigger mouthfeel and sugar just gonna thin/dry it out.

 

[brewit2it]

A pound in a 5 gallon batch will also change the flavor. It may or may not change it in a way you will perceive as worse than the original recipe, but definitely different.