Question regarding adding sugars

[6sm9]

Ok I have a couple of questions here,

First of all, the local shop that I get my supplies from only carries coopers beer kits so as far my experience, I have only simply used the beer kits and added dextrose. I want to try brewing with extract instead of adding sugar, so what I am wondering is, would I be able to simply buy 2 cans and use 1 and 1/2 cans to extract instead of using one can and adding dextrose?

My other question pertains to adding honey. Let us say that instead of adding dextrose I wanted to replace it with honey, would this be plausible and effective or would it ruin the beer? Also, I have been told that it should be boiled, and as I have never boiled my extract or anything, how would I go about that?

Thanks a million!

 

[RangerG]

As I understand it, sugar should not excede 20% of your total sugars/malts, otherwise you may get a cidery flavor. I frequently dump a pound of honey into my boil - I like the flavor if it even comes through, it ferments efficiently when used with maltose, but it is about $3 a pound for decent honey unless you buy in bulk - about the price of malt syrup. I also like using Demerara Sugar (sometimes called raw - has some molases in it but not as much as brown sugar) since the price has come down to about $1.85 lb in the gracery stores.

I only use 1 lb of either honey or Demerara, and usually just to jack up the ABV without adding more color or body. There are some recipes that call for more honey; 2.5 lbs for the Rocky Racoon recipe from the Joy of Homebrewing, it was a good beer once finished. Of course you can always add corn sugar at about $1 lb or just table sugar.

 

[david_42]

You can use 1 1/2 cans as long as the extra is not pre-hopped. Look for their Light, un-hopped extract. Store the other half can in a cool, dry location.

 

[RangerG]

There are some "Ingredient Guides" posted in the Ingredients Forum dated 3-22-07 (sorry don't know how to link you there yet and didn't want to forget) that are interesting and one contains a recipe for Belgian candy sugar - molecularly changed from table sugar to basically be better for beer in a number of ways; looks easy to make and if you are interested in using sugars then the Belgian Candy Sugar is likely preferable, and making it is cheaper than $4.50 #