Sugar Substitute

[arthur]

Hi there, Im almost ready to start my 3rd brew. Iv bought an EDME IPA kit and some light spraymolt. I read that using spraymalt will give the beer a better body than white sugar due to the unfermentibles in it.

My question is do I just replace the sugar gram for gram with the spraymolt and is there a maximum amount or a ratio of the two I should use ie 1:1?

Two other points Id gladly like some opinions on is;

Is there some benefit to transfering the brew to a second FV after the fermentation slows, Iv heard it aids in clearing, but I havnt had problems with this yet. Does anybody do this as practice?

and

Do you need to remove the scum from the foam for the 1st few days of fermentation. Iv goot an old boots brewing book and it suggests it in there?

Cheers Adam

[dunc]

you can use spraymalt as a straight replacement for table sugar, which will give you more body and a better flavour, though a higher final gravity (and also lower abv as it won't all ferment out as you mention). I tend to use a mix of spray malt and brewing sugar (dextrose/glucose), like BKE which is a 50/50 mix of the two but its all down to personal preference.

as for the skimming, I don't bother personally. some folk transfer to a second fv, again I don't do that either and the beer still clears fine.

[arthur]

Thanks for the reply dunc, Iv opted for all DME in my brew iv started today but the next brew I will split into two buckets, one I will try the 50:50 spraymolt and brewers mix and the 2nd I will use all spraymolt. Im starting to think like anything in science I should only change one varible at a time, next batch is sugars.

Cheers

Adam