getting high gravity

[danmaddux]

So far I have pretty much followed instructions that come with kits and such. I just made a batch of ale that called for adding 2.2lbs of dme. I added 3lbs instead. Im assuming this is why I eneded up with 1055 og. Its been 5 days and now its down to 1010. So this should give me about 5.6 to 5.7 abv if I bottled now.
Question is. If I added a couple extra lbs of dme bumping the og higher and letting the brew sit longer will it drop to 1012ish or will I end up with a higher number and sweeter beer?
What im really looking for is to make an ale that doesnt taste sweet with about 9% abv in the end and taste like a good ipa of a sort. Im very new to actually tracking the numbers even though ive brewed several batches. Lol. I normally ferment for a week or so and bottle for a week or so then drink it. I like what ive done so far. But now im wanting to really push the abv content high with keepimg a decent flavor. Im not trying to win a taste test just make strong beer. Lol. Any advice would help. But please keep it simple. Im a simple kind of dude.

 

[TAK]

Question is. If I added a couple extra lbs of dme bumping the og higher and letting the brew sit longer will it drop to 1012ish or will I end up with a higher number and sweeter beer?
What im really looking for is to make an ale that doesnt taste sweet with about 9% abv in the end and taste like a good ipa of a sort.

I assume that you're talking about your next batch, right, not adding some extra DME to the beer that's already finished? For an IIPA around 9% ABV, I'd suggest adding some corn sugar in replace of a portion of the DME, maybe 10%. The corn sugar will attenuate more completly than DME, thus not leaving as much residual sweetness. In other words, all else equal, you'll get a lower final gravity by using a portion of corn sugar. This is pretty common practice with IPA's to "dry" them out.

Cheers.

 

[ShaineT]

I assume that you're talking about your next batch, right, not adding some extra DME to the beer that's already finished? For an IIPA around 9% ABV, I'd suggest adding some corn sugar in replace of a portion of the DME, maybe 10%. The corn sugar will attenuate more completly than DME, thus not leaving as much residual sweetness. In other words, all else equal, you'll get a lower final gravity by using a portion of corn sugar. This is pretty common practice with IPA's to "dry" them out.

Cheers.

+1 Dextrose (Corn Sugar) would definitely attenuate better at that point. Sometimes you can add honey before you're 75% attenuated but probably not for an IPA.

 

[BxBrewer]

I always add my bottling sugar along with some ULDME to bump it up. I keg so no need for the bottling sugar. I use a refractometer pre fermentation to see where I'm at. Once fermented I use a hydrometer to see where it finished.

The fastest bare minimum I do brews is 4 weeks. Full fermentation can take 2 weeks. Even though the Krusen has dropped and the air lock stopped bubbling. There is still yeast in suspension,working to clean up. The extra time really helps to improve the beer. Also the bigger "ABV" the beer the longer it takes.

 

[danmaddux]

I always add my bottling sugar along with some ULDME to bump it up. I keg so no need for the bottling sugar. I use a refractometer pre fermentation to see where I'm at. Once fermented I use a hydrometer to see where it finished.

The fastest bare minimum I do brews is 4 weeks. Full fermentation can take 2 weeks. Even though the Krusen has dropped and the air lock stopped bubbling. There is still yeast in suspension,working to clean up. The extra time really helps to improve the beer. Also the bigger "ABV" the beer the longer it takes.

Ok I have a 5 gallon batch that is now 6 days old. Coukd I add more sugar and some more yeast for another week or 2?

 

[kh54s10]

I would sat that you could. Better would be to get a recipe designed for the higher ABV. Just adding sugars and DME will have unpredictable results. Of course you said you don't care about flavor. Why?

A high gravity brew might require a long bottle condition time before it mellows out. I did a 10% ABV Wee Heavy. I fermented for 2.5 weeks, secondary for a month + and left it alone in the keg for about 2 weeks and it became really good after 3 weeks.

If you are in a rush you could use Everclear!

 

[danmaddux]

No I mean I care about flavor. I just am not the one to try for the perfect brew each and every time. I like what I make. It has a really strong flavor I just wanted to shoot for a "knock your socks off" abv.

 

[BxBrewer]

DME,dex and maltose so it doesn't dry it out. You would have to add to your brew pot on brew day. Tossing it into a already fermenting beer won't work.

 

[DrNecropolis]

DME,dex and maltose so it doesn't dry it out. You would have to add to your brew pot on brew day. Tossing it into a already fermenting beer won't work.

It seems like adding after the fact would only sweeten the brew since the yeast content wouldn't be there to consume the sugars to convert to alcohol. Correct?

Forgive my ignorance, I'm a total noob..

 

[BxBrewer]

There's still yeast there. The problem is you have no way to mix and break down the sugar for the yeast to eat.

 

[DrNecropolis]

There's still yeast there. The problem is you have no way to mix and break down the sugar for the yeast to eat.

Ahhh, makes sense..

Thanks for the clarification..