Increasing ABV of extract Oktoberfest

azlane · Feb 5, 2011

I just purchased a Trew Brew kit that uses LME and states the OG should be 1.04 to 1.042 with a FG of 1.01 to 1.012, which should be a little lighter ABV than I would like.

I was wondering what everyone might suggest for ways to bump up the ABV to the mid 5's? I am guessing I need to increase the fermentables and possibly add some DME. Just don't know the best choice as I will be fermenting this as an ale using a US-05 dry yeast.

Any help would be appreciated.

RCCOLA · Feb 5, 2011

Yep, DME will be your best choice. A pound will get you into the 5% alcohol range. Here's a free recipe calculator to play around with.--> http://beercalculus.hopville.com/recipe

McGarnigle · Feb 5, 2011

If you don't mind sacrificing bottles, the easiest and best way to do it is to just add less water. Brew it for 4 gallons...everything will stay in proportion, which isn't the case if you just add DME.

RCCOLA · Feb 6, 2011

McGarnigle said:
...everything will stay in proportion.

Except the bitterness will increase. Depending on boil volume, yadda, yadda, it could be ~ 10 ibus plus or minus 5.

azlane · Feb 6, 2011

That is good to know because I don't want to increase the bitterness. I am shooting for something similar to a Sam Adams Oktoberfest. i also believe their ABV is around 5.7.

Yooper · Feb 6, 2011

azlane said:
That is good to know because I don't want to increase the bitterness. I am shooting for something similar to a Sam Adams Oktoberfest. i also believe their ABV is around 5.7.

Well, the problem is you'll be out of balance if you just add malt to boost the ABV. When you boost up the ABV, you'll also want to increase the hops to keep the balance the same.

Think of it as making spaghetti sauce. You've got the perfect sauce, but want to have more. Just adding tomato sauce won't improve it, but it will be more than you add before. Same with adding malt extract. You'll have more alcohol, but maybe that won't be the best thing for the beer's taste. It'll be just not balanced the way the recipe intended.

I'd probably settle for a great tasting beer with a slightly lower ABV.