Brewing kits - sugar - but why?

[marcin]

Hi

Today I got interesting question about brewing and I am not quite sure how to answer it.
Ok, so the question was:

If a kit like coopers comes mashed, pre-hopped and boiled etc. wouldn't we get enough sugars from the liquid malt already (from the mashing process)?

So the malt is mashed, then boiled with hopes and reduced in size so it could fit into a can (I know, simplified), so if the malt has been mashed why we need to add sugar to the kits?

I assume that there is some sugar in there but maybe not enough for the fermentation.

Thanks

[Pinto]

Ever noticed that premium kits like wherry come with two cans of malt extract ? That should answer your question. Malt sugars are (relatively) dear so by supplying one can you get malt body and full bitterness but low OG - they expect you to make this up cheaply with refined sugar or spend more on a bag of spraymalt or can of liquid malt.

[marcin]

Hey

Thanks for the answer.
It makes sense.
That seems to confirm old rule that everything comes down to money sooner or later (well, most things).

Thanks

[Exiled Bradfordian]

I think manufacturers' instructions could be improved in many ways, but one of them would be to provide guidance on what fermentables can be used in addition (i.e. not just say 'use sugar'). How many people must try home brewing and decide it's not for them simply because they don't like the brew that sugar produces.

Just one reason why forums such as this one are indispensable.

[Pinto]

IIRC, cooper's kits do - they say that brewing sugar can be used, but recommend the use of either their brew kit enhancer 1 or 2 instead "for best results". Its all about cost point and maximising profitability for them in the end.

[Exiled Bradfordian]

Coopers may well be an exception, then. Hambleton Bard kits certainly just mention sugar. I think Geordie kits might also mention their own proprietary BKE.

[jsl2000]

I've done a Coopers kit and didn't add any extra suger. The instructions don't tell you to so I assumed it was all in the can. Yes it say use there brew enhancer but to make it more full bodied.

[WalesAles]

I've done a Coopers kit and didn't add any extra suger. The instructions don't tell you to so I assumed it was all in the can. Yes it say use there brew enhancer but to make it more full bodied.

jsl,
Please keep us informed on this Brew.
Let us know how `bodied` it is.
What was your SG?
I`ve always used Spraymalt with my Coopers Kits, so it will be interesting to see how this turns out.

WA

[Charles1968]

Sugar does have its place. It's traditionally used in small amounts in a lot of English bitters (though usually invert sugar) and nearly all Belgian ales (candi sugar). It gives a drier beer, which accentuates bitterness, but less body. Rice and corn in American and Japanese lagers have similar effect.

[sparky Paul]

I've done a Coopers kit and didn't add any extra suger. The instructions don't tell you to so I assumed it was all in the can. Yes it say use there brew enhancer but to make it more full bodied.

You need to add some fermentables to a one can kit, or you will end up with something around 1½-2% ABV.

To achieve the intended approx. 4%, you must add 1Kg or so of sugar or spraymalt, or a mix of the two - I'm sure it says that in the instructions. You can use the brew enhancer instead of sugar.

[jsl2000]

I've done a Coopers kit and didn't add any extra suger. The instructions don't tell you to so I assumed it was all in the can. Yes it say use there brew enhancer but to make it more full bodied.

You need to add some fermentables to a one can kit, or you will end up with something around 1½-2% ABV.

To achieve the intended approx. 4%, you must add 1Kg or so of sugar or spraymalt, or a mix of the two - I'm sure it says that in the instructions. You can use the brew enhancer instead of sugar.

Nope it says whatever other fermentables but nothing specific and seeing as its my first brew I wasn't going to guess. SG was 1040 FG is 1010 which I work out to be 3.9% so it doesn't seem to have unduly affected it. Bottling tommorow so will let you know what its like.

[sparky Paul]

SG was 1040 FG is 1010 which I work out to be 3.9% so it doesn't seem to have unduly affected it.

Are you absolutely certain that that the SG wasn't around 1020? If you only put the one kit can in the fermenter and topped it up to 23 litres, 1040 is impossible - one can of malt extract (or beer kit can) will only raise the gravity by about 20 points.

If you haven't bottled it yet, it's not too late to save it. Add 1Kg of sugar, spraymalt or enhancer and let it ferment out. You might have a bit of difficulty adding spraymalt without it clumping up, add very carefully whilst stirring gently. Sugar will dissolve more easily, but the results will not be as good.

If you click on the Kit Brewing tab at the top, there is an excellent pictoral guide to making up a beer kit by Horden Hillbilly. Or just clicky here...

[jsl2000]

Now I originally thought the SG was 1020 but on another thread was told that was impossible. And I do have a kilo of brewers sugar so you suggest I dump that in?

I would like to think the instructions would be explicit about things like this.

[Exiled Bradfordian]

Hi JSL. I think I have seen the other thread. 1020 would be impossible with the kit made up as intended (kit + 1kg fermentables). If you made the kit up with the no additional fermentables — no sugar, no enhancer, no spraymalt — then 1020 is entirely possible.

My suggestion would be to add the sugar (as it will dissolve easier) and stir very gently with a sanitised spoon. It will not be the best beer you ever make but will at least not be 2% ABV.

[sparky Paul]

If you only added the one can to 5 gallons, then 1020 would be about the right gravity. I would add the sugar now, give it a gentle stir (sanitised spoon) to dissolve and let it ferment out.

Adding the sugar will raise the gravity to about 1030, after a few days fermentation this should drop back to a steady FG of 1005 - 1010.

I've done dozens of these Coopers kits in the past, but I haven't bothered reading any instructions for years. I do remember that they give you a few options for substituting fermentables, probably a bit confusing for a beginner.