Fermenting Sugars Question

[jadoiron]

Using a Cooper's IPA extract kit...

My IPA didn't come with anything other than the yeast... My OG should be about 1.04 (according to the directions) but instead read 1.0254.

The only thing I added before the yeast was 3/4 cup of corn sugar.
Should I / Can I add more??

Thanks!!

 

[mattd2]

Did you read all the instructions - usually the coopers kits require you to either; buy an additional "brew enhancer" pack which is mainly either dextrose or dextrose and a little bit of dry malt extract, or use 1 kg of sugar.

 

[jadoiron]

I had purchased the kit a while ago, and had 1.15kg corn sugar with it. That's all. Also have 200g of Muntons Kreamyx beer kit primer (which I assume is for bottling).

I kind of panicked and went to the internet and a few places seemed to settle on adding 3/4 cup of corn sugar to this particular type of kit since it didn't come with any additional sugars.

I'm starting to wonder if I should've added more sugar, or that 200g bag of primer. Either way I guess I'm shooting myself in the foot here wondering if this can be saved! Seems like the 3/4 cups may not have been enough?

 

[AlCophile]

If you go to Palmer's book, there is a chart of ppg, points-per-gallon per pound, that the diff't sugars yield in, and I'm assuming-haven't checked in a looooong time, gravity points. Also, the syrup mfgrs. have data on amount of fermentables in their products. So, ppg/lb x weight in lbs gives total pts. for that(each) material. Add 'em up, divide by vol., get points for the batch. Smaller vol, higher pts. I don't even bother for house brew. Just throw it together. If too high, add water.

 

[mattd2]

I had purchased the kit a while ago, and had 1.15kg corn sugar with it. That's all. Also have 200g of Muntons Kreamyx beer kit primer (which I assume is for bottling).

I kind of panicked and went to the internet and a few places seemed to settle on adding 3/4 cup of corn sugar to this particular type of kit since it didn't come with any additional sugars.

I'm starting to wonder if I should've added more sugar, or that 200g bag of primer. Either way I guess I'm shooting myself in the foot here wondering if this can be saved! Seems like the 3/4 cups may not have been enough?

Yep, Generally the coopers are "Kit & Kilo" kits - i.e. the 1.7kg of hopped malt extract and 1 kilo of sugar (either dextrose/corn suger or DME). The 3/4 cup is a general rule of thumb for those who bulk prime when they bottle condition - after the beer has finished fermenting they transfer the beer into a bottling bucket with 3/4 cup of corn sugar which has been boiled in about 1-2 cups of water.
Has it been fermenting long?
You could add more sugar now but it might be hard to get it to dissolve without stiring and introducing oxygen which you don't want to do once fermentation has started to slow down. You could also take the DFH120 approach and add a little bit every day or so (200-250g for 4-5 days).
or you could just let it ride and end up with a "session" IPA at about 2.4% ABV.

I think most would suggest getting away from the coopers kits reasonably quickly, but at the vary least look at adding DME instead of sugar will improve the kit a bit.

But the best bit of advice would be try using a yeast not from the kit - fermentis US05 is my normal choice for dry yeast, and try keep it at the temp it likes between 16-20°C

 

[jadoiron]

Yep, Generally the coopers are "Kit & Kilo" kits - i.e. the 1.7kg of hopped malt extract and 1 kilo of sugar (either dextrose/corn suger or DME). The 3/4 cup is a general rule of thumb for those who bulk prime when they bottle condition - after the beer has finished fermenting they transfer the beer into a bottling bucket with 3/4 cup of corn sugar which has been boiled in about 1-2 cups of water.
Has it been fermenting long?
You could add more sugar now but it might be hard to get it to dissolve without stiring and introducing oxygen which you don't want to do once fermentation has started to slow down. You could also take the DFH120 approach and add a little bit every day or so (200-250g for 4-5 days).
or you could just let it ride and end up with a "session" IPA at about 2.4% ABV.

I think most would suggest getting away from the coopers kits reasonably quickly, but at the vary least look at adding DME instead of sugar will improve the kit a bit.

But the best bit of advice would be try using a yeast not from the kit - fermentis US05 is my normal choice for dry yeast, and try keep it at the temp it likes between 16-20°C

Thanks! YES the 3/4 cups probably should've been taken out for priming right? It's only been fermenting a couple hours. Maybe 3. Is it too late to add the rest of that sugar (minus 3/4 cups)?

 

[mattd2]

Thanks! YES the 3/4 cups probably should've been taken out for priming right? It's only been fermenting a couple hours. Maybe 3. Is it too late to add the rest of that sugar (minus 3/4 cups)?

Go for it, give it a gentle stir with a clean and sanitise stiring thingy.

 

[jadoiron]

Go for it, give it a gentle stir with a clean and sanitise stiring thingy.

Thanks for the quick reply. Very much appreciated.
So I'll add the remainder of the corn sugar (after removing 3/4 cup). Would it be beneficial at all to boil it into a litre or 2 of water first? Or will it dissolve ok putting it right into the fermenter (without ruining the yeast)?