Hello, newbie question regarding sugar for a Edme beer kit

[scratch]

Hi everyone,

I'm making my first brew kit today after the guys at work have gotten me interested in trying it out (and kindly loaned me a fermentation barrel)

I've got everything ready so far to start today, or so I thought. I didn't realise that specific types of sugar had an impact on the beer. This is an Edme beer kit bought from Wilkinsons, the Superbrew gold lager (german style). As this is my first kit I'm trying not to get too involved, but still want to do it properly. The instructions in the kit just say "1kg of sugar".

I have 2kg of Caster sugar, and 1kg of unrefined brown sugar, both tate and lyle. I have a hunch that the brown sugar will be better than the caster sugar. One of my co-workers says he likes to use demerera sugar, and I've also read research that says golden syrup is a good substitute for brewers sugar, which I don't have or will be able to get hold of easily.

So I guess my question is, do I need to buy new sugar, or can I use the sugar I have for the kit, and if so which is better. I'm leaning towards the brown sugar but don't want to balls it up on my first go.

Scratch x

 

[Hollow Legs]

Scratch, hi, fairly new to the 'modern way of home brew' but now instead of Tate & Lyle there is brewing sugar or Dextrose to use its proper name (all the same).

Either will do but brewing sugar works better, so I am told, I have used it in my last 3 brews and had no probs but then again had no probs with T & Lyle 28 years ago.

Happy brewing :

 

[doghouse gav]

You can use 1kg of any type of sugar you like. I've used caster sugar, table sugar and brown sugars. All tasted great.
I'd prob stick to a White sugar for lager but that's just me. :thumb:
Good luck. Keep us posted :

 

[Cussword]

I would stick to white sugar for now, you can experiment when you've done a few brews & you know what they are supposed to taste like :thumb:

 

[scratch]

Excellent, thanks everyone. I was going to use the brown sugar but I'll stick to the white sugar. You saved me just in time, I've just started the process of sterilising everything. I didn't quite think it through, boiling 10 litres of water using only a kettle is taking forever lol! At least I only need 6 pints for the kit!

Cussword, my plan for now is exactly that. Stick to the basics and when I get more experience, experiment (and buy my own kit). I was recommended to add less water and more sugar, but 40 pints of 4.5% ABV will do me just fine, its not like I'll drink less if its weaker

 

[scratch]

All done, I used white sugar but I think I might have added too much water, which I think should only end up with me having a weaker brew. I also think the mix wasn't warm enough by the time I added the yeast sachet (too much messing around with measuring water!). If it doesn't start to ferment, my workmate gave me a heating belt for the barrel I'll have to use.

Hope this turns out OK, I think that's really what'll clinch me doing this again as I found this quite a bit of work.