Bitter Kit - strength!?

[CptnCrackoff]

After my first kit went well, i am going to get a bitter on the go.

However rather than it ending up being between 3.5% and 5% i'd like to ensure something a little stronger, because if i'm totally honest i enjoy the taste of beers and lager but really drink to get merry!! :party:

Would simply putting less water in, and/or more sugar and/or more yeast and/or more nutrient help.

i have done research but am yet to find a definative answer!

 

[Andbrew]

I'm quite new to this brewing lark, but i think you should try making your kits to 36 pints instead of 40. I personally wouldn't add more sugar. I'm sure one of the beer professors on this forum will be along shortly to give you a more precise answer. :

Andbrew

 

[Muddydisco]

Less water will make it stronger.
More sugar will make it stronger but less body and mouthfeel.
And have you ever heard of two can recipes? where you use two cans of the kit and just the one amount of sugar that should up the strength but keep the body.
I'm no expert but sure somebody will be along to put it into technical terms!

 

[jonewer]

What type of kit?

sugar.... also read somewhere that golden syrup gives some body to the brew...

 

[CptnCrackoff]

Hi, its a youngs - called Definative bitter.

I may just end up using less water,that seems the best suggestion so far!

jon

 

[Parva]

If you were to add some dried or liquid malt extract you should be able to up the strength of the brew without sacrificing body. You may however be better adding some hops to retain the balance of the bitterness. Having never brewed anything other than straightforward kits years ago and now all-grain I'm not really in a position to advise on what would be the ideal quantities for what you want to achieve but I do know that adding more sugar will give you a stronger but thinner brew (paint stripper) whereas LME / DME will help you retain the body of the beer.

 

[commsbiff]

Hi CC - if you're still looking for a way to make your beer stronger and keep that taste and balance, then consider adding Muntons Light Hopped Spraymalt. You can then brew to the same length (volume, eg 23L). Use this in addition to any sugar or malt extract you would use normally. :thumb: This will help to maintain the beer's body and the balance of hops whilst adding those vital extra sugars to make your beer stronger. Hope this helps.