Questions about different sugars

[linnij]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at tweaking the kits which I brew and am not sure about the effect that the different sugars have. I'm a relative newbie and still a little confused. I've got a couple of quick questions: what exactly is brewer's sugar and why is it better? Is it possible to use brown sugar?

I'm looking to modify, but still keep my overall costs low. Also, It's not particularly easy for me to get to a HB shop and so I'm looking to use sugar variations which I can just buy from a supermarket.

Cheers for any help or advice,

J

[chopperswookie]

Brewing sugar is fine glucose. brown sugar can be used for darker ales.

i've done a lager with golden syrup, had a taste of butterscotch which was suprising.

i know your keeping costs down but it is well worth it to use spraymalt or BeerKit Enhanser. it give your pint a more professional finish and isn't as thin as using sugars alone.

[linnij]

Cheers Wookie,

That's one thing I like about this forum, questions are always answered quickly and helpfully.

They had bags of glucose in Morrison's today, if I used that instead of regular sugar in a basic kit, what sort of differences would there be?

Also, if I used spraymalt, what sort of differences could I expect? For example, the basic Geordie and Youngs kits have been very drinkable, but have what I'd call a 'generic' bitter type taste (like a pint of Smiths or Tetley's). If I wanted to get a brew with a more 'real ale' taste, would I be better tinkering with the sugar type or just buying a more expensive kit?

J

[chopperswookie]

sugars sugar, and the same goes for glucose. using just glucose will mean you will get the same results as tate and lyle, a thin, cidery pint. ok for supping but as you have alluded to, missing that "real ale" feeling. thats where your spraymalts come in, ok they are less fermentable that sugar but they can infuse body and 'mouthfeel'. its all about experimenting. budget kits like your Geordies can be massively improved even if you use 500g spraymalt, 500g brewing sugar. i did that for a bit. and again exeriment. use light spraymalt for one brew, dark for another and trust me you will feel the difference. the one with the light sparymalt will be a good summer ale, the dark well who knows. one saved for a cold winters night.

another thought if you have a wilkos near you £15 for a wherry - no extra sugar, two cans, lump them in the ferming bin, top up, job done. if you get a good un, ie no muntons stick, its perfect at showing how using just malt can make a cracking beer.

[linnij]

Thanks again Wookie, I'm gonna give some of those experiments a try. (Especially the light and dark spraymalt - I like a variation to my drinking; light summer ales when it's hot and something heavier in the winter.)

Your suggestions and time are much appriciated,

J.

[brysie]

just one thing though.

i being a proper smartarse, whacked 250g of dark muscovado in my last wherry.
mistake, its getting better with time like most kits do, but my first wherry that i didnt muck about with was much better.

from what ive read, you can have a much bigger impact on the flavour of cheap kits by dabbling with hops instead of sugar

[brewin_bear]

just one thing though.

i being a proper smartarse, whacked 250g of dark muscovado in my last wherry.
mistake, its getting better with time like most kits do, but my first wherry that i didnt muck about with was much better.

from what ive read, you can have a much bigger impact on the flavour of cheap kits by dabbling with hops instead of sugar

Thanks for that post. My next brew is another Wherry and I was thinking of adding extra sugar to up the ABV. After your post I don't think i will

[KevP]

just one thing though.

i being a proper smartarse, whacked 250g of dark muscovado in my last wherry.
mistake, its getting better with time like most kits do, but my first wherry that i didnt muck about with was much better.

from what ive read, you can have a much bigger impact on the flavour of cheap kits by dabbling with hops instead of sugar

Thanks for that post. My next brew is another Wherry and I was thinking of adding extra sugar to up the ABV. After your post I don't think i will

The best way to up the ABV without losing body and mouth feel is to use less water, same body and feel but stronger brew.

[brysie]

fair comment kev.

i will say though, having done a few kits myself [only a few] my first wherry was excellent. gawd knows why i tinkered with the second one as i was so impressed with the first one. the next one will be as per the instructions.

if a fella was after a stronger bitter, in my opinion, he might want to try a different kit.

[KevP]

fair comment kev.

i will say though, having done a few kits myself [only a few] my first wherry was excellent. gawd knows why i tinkered with the second one as i was so impressed with the first one. the next one will be as per the instructions.

if a fella was after a stronger bitter, in my opinion, he might want to try a different kit.

Agreed, a kit designed with more fermentables in the equation is always a better idea.