Corn sugar in extract recipe?

[stratslinger]

I just received a kit from Northern Brewer, Waldo Lake Amber. It's extract with specialty grains. The recipe includes 3.15 lbs of two different LME's and 1lb of corn sugar. So what does that corn sugar do? Will it only increase the alcohol content, or will it do something to dry out the beer too?

 

[mattymatt79]

I might be wrong but that's the priming sugar for your bottles later on for when you're ready to bottle.

 

[KuntyBrew]

i usually use only 5 oz of priming sugar per 5gal batch, but do not use 1 lb as priming sugar for 5 gal it will more than likely make bottle bombs

 

[windbreaker123]

I believe you got the extract with partial grains kit ? The corn sugar is put in after the boil. You will have to have more sugar to prime when you bottle.

 

[hudsonj6]

Pulled the inventory pdf off their site and it says to add at the end of the boil, so in this case it's going to boost the booze a bit and get the starting gravity up to 1.063. A lot of times sugar is added to boost the alcohol with out adding any more body to the beer.

 

[windbreaker123]

Also I forgot if you leave it out and use it to prime with it will change the taste and body some what. And drop the abv by aprox .9 to 1 %

 

[stratslinger]

Thanks hudsonj6 for the info.

And to everyone assuming I'm confusing this with priming sugar, as hudson6 verified, I am not. 1lb would be an awful lot of priming sugar, no? And this is clearly part of the recipe, listed as a flameout addition along with 1oz aroma hops (I forget the specific variety). First time I've seen that, which is what led to my question.

To be honest, I'm not sure I'm crazy about the idea of simply adding sugar for an alcohol boost. If it does something for the flavor or body of the beer, great. But just to get more of a buzz? I'm half tempted to leave it out.

The other surprising thing this recipe calls for, and I do intend to try, is first wort hopping. I thought that was a technique only used in AG, but this extract recipe calls for it (I think it goes in with the steeping grains). I don't expect to see quite the same effect as what the AG guys see, but I am somewhat intrigued by the idea. Anyone else tried this in an extract kit?

 

[unionrdr]

I forget what I read about the steeping grains routine. But if you have to boil the resulting "grain tea",I think you would add the hops at that point for flavor/aroma. Then add the LME/DME at the end. I made a "hop tea" in 1 1/4 gallons of water in my brew kettle for 15mins before pulling it off the heat. Then added my LME & DME & stirred to a froth to get'em mixed real good.

 

[SilentAutumn]

The other surprising thing this recipe calls for, and I do intend to try, is first wort hopping. I thought that was a technique only used in AG, but this extract recipe calls for it (I think it goes in with the steeping grains). I don't expect to see quite the same effect as what the AG guys see, but I am somewhat intrigued by the idea. Anyone else tried this in an extract kit?

I've added bittering hops after my grains have steeped while I'm getting to boil. It ever-so slightly increases the IBU's.

 

[McGarnigle]

To be honest, I'm not sure I'm crazy about the idea of simply adding sugar for an alcohol boost. If it does something for the flavor or body of the beer, great. But just to get more of a buzz? I'm half tempted to leave it out.

I would trust the recipe and leave it in. What it's doing is lightening the body a bit, much the way in which Belgians use added sugar. It's not like the recipe is low on malt.

 

[Acoma]

Maybe add half and see how you like it? Next time do all or none and see the difference. If you do it would be nice to know the results and your take on it.

 

[terrapinj]

I would trust the recipe and leave it in. What it's doing is lightening the body a bit, much the way in which Belgians use added sugar. It's not like the recipe is low on malt.

won't leaving it out also potentially effect the hops balance / IBU/SG ratio?

 

[unionrdr]

won't leaving it out also potentially effect the hops balance / IBU/SG ratio?

I always thought it would,if no extra DME is in the equation,for example. The OG would be lower,ABV lower,obviously. Might turn out a little too sweet,to me anyway. The dex would dry it out to the right degree in that recipe. I say,just do iiiitt! do it now!

 

[stratslinger]

Now? How about Saturday?

This should be an interesting brew, one way or another. It's intended for a community theater cast party, and I've got at least a few fellow cast members coming out to take part (read: they'll be coming along to drink and hang out, and maybe learn a little something while they're at it).

A bunch of theater folks making beer? Should be a fun day.

 

[unionrdr]

Oh,proud empty keg,why ist thy sting felt so keenly? That should be fun to sit back & watch.:cross:

 

[stratslinger]

Nah - I'll go one better; the show is a musical. Saturday at my place could turn out like an alcoholic glee episode.

 

[rod734]

I read on one post where adding sugar early would cause the yeast to go after the sugar first and leave a bit maltier tasting beer. Maybe that is what this style is going for.