When to add sugar in high ABV beers?

Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:37 pm

I know that when yeast starts eating sugar, it basically loses some of it's ability breakdown the malt right? Thats why we dont use sugar in starters. Well, when adding sugar to DPAs or big Belgian beers like Tripels, Dubbles and Golden Strong Ales should I add it a couple days after first pitching the yeast? I just brewed a Dubble last weekend, and I waited 4 days before adding the Turbinado solution (1#/2qt boiled-cooled). My thinking was, let the big yeast starter work on that higher gravity wort (1.079), and then a coupledays in add the sugar carefully, minimizing oxygen exposure etc...Am I on track, or is this really not a big deal? Thx.
Jason.

tap:Alesmith IPA
carboy:Sour Blonde, Rye Saison w/Brett
bottld: Tripel A,Tripel B,Sour Blonde,Hef, Saison w/Brett
OnDeck:Brown Ale
Longtermferm:

"They think I do not know a buttload of crap about the Gospel, but I do!,"Nacho
User avatar
crashlann
 
Posts: 225
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:32 am
Location: Temecula, SoCal

Re: When to add sugar in high ABV beers?

Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:12 pm

it's probably a good idea, generally.
You could listen to the CYBI DFH120 episode for an extreme example of late sugar additions.
http://thebrewingnetwork.com/shows/574
Gimme oysters and beer (and Durian) for dinner every day of the year...
User avatar
mike____
 
Posts: 544
Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 3:05 pm
Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes

Re: When to add sugar in high ABV beers?

Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:12 pm

I do it when airlock has slowed.
Spiderwrangler
PFC, Arachnid Deployment Division

In the cellar:
In the fermentor: Belgian Cider
In the works: Wooden Cider
User avatar
spiderwrangler
Global Moderator
 
Posts: 4659
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 2:09 pm
Location: Ohio

Re: When to add sugar in high ABV beers?

Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:39 pm

I do it 24-48hrs after fermentation has started when the beer is at peak activity.
Hoser
Hoser
 
Posts: 266
Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:53 pm
Location: Lincoln, NE

Re: When to add sugar in high ABV beers?

Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:42 pm

spiderwrangler wrote:I do it when airlock has slowed.


THAT is the new BN bumper sticker for the store!

http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=30678
Lee

"Show me on this doll where the internet hurt you."

"Every zoo is a petting zoo if you man the fuck up."

:bnarmy: BN Army // 13th Mountain Division :bnarmy:
User avatar
Ozwald
Global Moderator
 
Posts: 3628
Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:14 pm
Location: Gallatin Gateway, Montana

Re: When to add sugar in high ABV beers?

Wed Jul 03, 2013 5:11 pm

I have no personal experience with doing this but based on things I have heard, it's best to add the sugar near the very end of primary fermentation. Consider it as being "dessert" for the yeast. After chowing down on the fancy complex maltose for a week or two, they'll have no problem at all chowing down some simple sucrose or dextrose or whatever.
Dave

"This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended a more divine means of consumption. Let us give praise to our Maker, and glory to His bounty, by learning about... BEER!" - Friar Tuck (Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves)
User avatar
dmtaylor
 
Posts: 540
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:04 pm
Location: Two Rivers, WI

Return to All Grain Brewing

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

A BIT ABOUT US

The Brewing Network is a multimedia resource for brewers and beer lovers. Since 2005, we have been the leader in craft beer entertainment and information with live beer radio, podcasts, video, events and more.