Priming sugar options?

[Hobby brewer]

Have been kicking around the idea of trying alternative sugars and such for priming my bottles. Anyone have good luck with this?

 

[philjohnwilliams]

What kind of alternative sugars are you thinking of? Dextrose is what is usually recommended, but I have been using table sugar for years with great results. I have also used DME with good results, though I did find it took longer for the beer to carbonate with it. I have tasted beers primed with honey, molasses and maple syrup, they all work, the (not too) difficult part is figuring out the amount to use.

 

[Gnomebrewer]

I've used candy syrup in English ESB which was quite tasty. It's harder to get the carbonation right though. Also agree that DME takes longer to carbonate and tastes 'green' for a while longer.

 

[Hobby brewer]

Going to try dark brown sugar and some vanilla to a batch of American wheat I have fermenting. Was curious what kind of results others have gotten. What was your thoughts on maple syrup being added?

 

[RPh_Guy]

Priming sugar isn't a very good way to add flavor. The amount is too small.

 

[Hobby brewer]

Priming sugar isn't a very good way to add flavor. The amount is too small.

That makes sense. I can imagine it would be hardly noticed, only notice it if someone says it's there kind of thing.

 

[philjohnwilliams]

Going to try dark brown sugar and some vanilla to a batch of American wheat I have fermenting. Was curious what kind of results others have gotten. What was your thoughts on maple syrup being added?

I honestly couldn't tell maple syrup had been used to prime the beer I tried. As RPh Guy said, the amount is too small to really add some flavour, although molasses in an English Ale can add a bit of flavour.

 

[Hobby brewer]

Thanks all for your input. I will skip trying for flavors that way then.