Making it how strong you want.

[Chris]

Right, this is something I've been wondering, lager kits.

My 1st kit started off with 1kg of sugar, OG:1046, finished 5.2% in the FV.
My 2nd kit started off with 1.1kg of sugar (can't remember OG), finished at 4.7% in the FV
My current kit started off with 1.3kg of sugar, OG:1044, yet to finish.


Now am I right in thinking if I want to make a stronger brew I add more sugar?

:?

 

[Aleman]

Now am I right in thinking if I want to make a stronger brew I add more sugar? :?

Well technically you are correct, and indeed way back in the dim and distant past I did indeed do something you suggested. I took a ket and added three times the amount of sugar as was recommended, fermented it in the airing cupboard (as per the instructions), and produced something that resembled Venos . . . It was harsh, nasty, and something that not quite but almost completely didn't resemble beer. It got you drunk (if you could keep it down) but that was about it . . . . it was not an enjoyable experience.

Ideally you need to add fermentables rather than sugar . . . . Either by using malt extract, or by using two kits and making up only 50% more beer. You need balance . . .if all you want is to get drunk it is cheaper and less complicated to go an buy a 3L PET bottle of white lightning cider from the supermarket. If you want to produce a beer of a reasonable quality there are no simple short cuts.

 

[jamesb]

I took a ket and added three times the amount of sugar as was recommended

Then a couple of E's and had a banging night? :lol:

 

[The Seer]

Well technically you are correct, and indeed way back in the dim and distant past I did indeed do something you suggested. I took a ket and added three times the amount of sugar as was recommended, fermented it in the airing cupboard (as per the instructions), and produced something that resembled Venos . . . It was harsh, nasty, and something that not quite but almost completely didn't resemble beer. It got you drunk (if you could keep it down) but that was about it . . . . it was not an enjoyable experience.

Ideally you need to add fermentables rather than sugar . . . . Either by using malt extract, or by using two kits and making up only 50% more beer. You need balance . . .if all you want is to get drunk it is cheaper and less complicated to go an buy a 3L PET bottle of white lightning cider from the supermarket. If you want to produce a beer of a reasonable quality there are no simple short cuts.

I think you'll find white lightning is still cheaper than brewing at home (from kit of course). Average kit costs 45p per pint or slightly less. It's about £1.40 per litre of White Lightning.