I was planning to use Spraymalt to prime the bottling barrel, because I've read that it gives a better taste. But I'd like to try and get the ABV up a bit more if I can, so is Tate and Lyle a better option?
Can priming raise the ABV?
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Jerry Cornelius
Can priming raise the ABV?
When I made up my first kit (Brupaks Colne Valley Bitter) I didn't measure the top-up water in the FV very well, and went and overdone it - ending up with a few extra pints. The OG was 1039, not the 1045 it was meant to be. Since then it has dropped to 1013 (after a bit of a stir - it stuck at 1018 for 2 days), which gives an ABV of around 3.4%, kind of weaker than I'd hoped for
I was planning to use Spraymalt to prime the bottling barrel, because I've read that it gives a better taste. But I'd like to try and get the ABV up a bit more if I can, so is Tate and Lyle a better option?
I was planning to use Spraymalt to prime the bottling barrel, because I've read that it gives a better taste. But I'd like to try and get the ABV up a bit more if I can, so is Tate and Lyle a better option?
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Hoodlum
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
priming in the correct amounts of added sugar by volume raises ABV by roughly 0.5%
You can use T&L, although it's a trade off - you'll get a slightly different feel to the beer than if you used spraymalt for example.
If you want stronger beers, shorten the brew by a few litres, or add slightly more fermentables. You should be careful though as adding too much can significantly change the character and balance of the brew.
It's not unknown for the claims on the side of the kit tins to be erm, "extravagent" when it comes to ABV.
There are far more folk with much more beer knowledge than I have, buts that probably not a bad stab at answering your question
You can use T&L, although it's a trade off - you'll get a slightly different feel to the beer than if you used spraymalt for example.
If you want stronger beers, shorten the brew by a few litres, or add slightly more fermentables. You should be careful though as adding too much can significantly change the character and balance of the brew.
It's not unknown for the claims on the side of the kit tins to be erm, "extravagent" when it comes to ABV.
There are far more folk with much more beer knowledge than I have, buts that probably not a bad stab at answering your question
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Jerry Cornelius
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
Thanks Hoodlum.
Are you saying that provided I use the the correct amount of whatever sugar, the amount raised will be same? i.e 0.5% is the maximum irrespective of the type of sugar?
Are you saying that provided I use the the correct amount of whatever sugar, the amount raised will be same? i.e 0.5% is the maximum irrespective of the type of sugar?
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
If T&L totally ferments then about 50% of the weight becomes alcohol and 50% CO2. So 5g sugar in a litre (1000g) get you 2.5g alcohol, +0.25%ABW. As the relative density of alcohol is about 0.8 you get 0.25/0.8 = +0.3% ABV theoretically. The amount of alcohol from the same weight of spray malt will be less, though I don't know any figures. 5g/litre = 115g/23litres, so adding more usual 85g means around 0.2%.
I brew therefore I ... I .... forget
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Hoodlum
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
There's a well known pysoclogical trick that's been proved to work with alcohol. Subjects tested were split into two groups. One group was given a volume of alcohol, the second were told they were given the same volume of alcohol. Both sets of subjects got as drunk as the other, despite one set of test subjects having barely any at all - but believeu=ing that they had been drinking very strong alcoholic drinks.
The moral?
Concentrate on getting good beer, not really strong stuff - if you believe the stuff to be strong anyway, then the drunk effect will still happen. Clever stuff. probably
The moral?
Concentrate on getting good beer, not really strong stuff - if you believe the stuff to be strong anyway, then the drunk effect will still happen. Clever stuff. probably
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Jerry Cornelius
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
I know what you mean hoodlum, and do you know what? On reflection I reckon it's about 5.2% - just perfect 
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Barm
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
yeh - agree with Hoodlum; reckon many manufacturers overstate the OG.....
Generally found that reducing the water added (eg make up a 5gal kit to 4 to 4.5 gals max) gives a better balance/flavour than chucking in more fermentables.
IMO priming with spraymalt is a waste of time, as the amount you add isn't really enough to have a noticeable effect on flavour - I use unrefined raw cane sugar for priming. Instead use the spraymalt instead of the main (usually 1kg) sugar addition to the extract - then it'll really improve body/texture/flavour. Similarly, the amount of primings added is too small to affect the ABV measurably; and increasing the amount can lead to the infamous "bottle bombs".....
Generally found that reducing the water added (eg make up a 5gal kit to 4 to 4.5 gals max) gives a better balance/flavour than chucking in more fermentables.
IMO priming with spraymalt is a waste of time, as the amount you add isn't really enough to have a noticeable effect on flavour - I use unrefined raw cane sugar for priming. Instead use the spraymalt instead of the main (usually 1kg) sugar addition to the extract - then it'll really improve body/texture/flavour. Similarly, the amount of primings added is too small to affect the ABV measurably; and increasing the amount can lead to the infamous "bottle bombs".....
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Ditch
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Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
Barm; It's probably my fault. The hour + Jameson + ..... there; Forgotten what I was trying to say already! Probably pissed as a bloody hand cart and just haven't registered it yet?
It's the " Unrefined, Cane Sugar " bit that caught my eye. Loved that stuff! Suggested, along the way, here that people might give it a spin, when they ask about 'Which Sugar'.
If ye've had a bit of experience with it, in kits, I'd very much appreciate it if ye might put down some thoughts, on this board. Refer to " Raw Cane Sugar " and " Kits " and they'll allow it as I home in on it
It's good in tea. Just never tried it in a brew myself. Got to be interesting though.
Jerry: Just make it. Drink it. Enjoy it!
It's the " Unrefined, Cane Sugar " bit that caught my eye. Loved that stuff! Suggested, along the way, here that people might give it a spin, when they ask about 'Which Sugar'.
If ye've had a bit of experience with it, in kits, I'd very much appreciate it if ye might put down some thoughts, on this board. Refer to " Raw Cane Sugar " and " Kits " and they'll allow it as I home in on it
It's good in tea. Just never tried it in a brew myself. Got to be interesting though.
Jerry: Just make it. Drink it. Enjoy it!
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Jerry Cornelius
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
How do you calculate that Chris? (I don't doubt it, just don't understand why it's so...)A 3kg, 40pt kit can only every produce a gravity of 1.0396
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Jerry Cornelius
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
Thanks for that Chris. I can play around with the volume and see how that should affect the OG...
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brysie
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
ok.
so what would 6g of sugar do per pint to the abv? [pants at maths]
so what would 6g of sugar do per pint to the abv? [pants at maths]
Re: Can priming raise the ABV?
at most 3g of alcohol from cane sugar so vol = mass/density = 3/0.8 = 3.75
3.75/568ml as % = +0.66 theorectical max, probably +0.4 in real life plus a load of fizz
3.75/568ml as % = +0.66 theorectical max, probably +0.4 in real life plus a load of fizz
I brew therefore I ... I .... forget