Beer enhancer 2 + dextrose

[Beers with Aaron]

Hi, new to the home brew and struggling to the answer. I just bought a home brew kit and it came with enhancer 2. 
question if i add extra dextrose + the enhancer will this give me a ABV higher then the 4.5? Ideally looking to brew at 5.5

 

or will adding more dextrose to this enhancer create off flavours? 
 

thanks heaps  

 

[Shamus O'Sean]

4 hours ago, Beers with Aaron said:

Hi, new to the home brew and struggling to the answer. I just bought a home brew kit and it came with enhancer 2. 
question if i add extra dextrose + the enhancer will this give me a ABV higher then the 4.5? Ideally looking to brew at 5.5

 

or will adding more dextrose to this enhancer create off flavours? 
 

thanks heaps  

 

Firstly, more Dextrose will not give you off flavours.  It might thin out the beer or give it a drier flavour because it completely ferments out.  Some people perceive a cidery flavour from too much Dextrose.

Secondly @Beers with Aaron, what volume are you brewing?  To get 4.5% out of a standard kit plus kilo of BE2, you must be around 21 litres.  Brewing a standard kit plus kilo of BE2 to the usual 23 litres will give you a beer with an ABV around 4% after bottling. See IanH spreadsheet screenshot:

Let's assume you are brewing to 23 litres.  You options to get to 5.5% ABV in the bottle are:

Add an extra 750g of Dextrose.  See screenshot:

Add an extra 1kg of Light Dry Malt.  See screenshot:

You could also add a 1.5kg can of unhopped extract (Liquid Malt Extract), but that will increase your ABV to 6.0%. See screenshot:

If, on the other hand, you are doing 21 litre brews, you will need to add 500g of Dextrose or 750g of LDM for a 5.5% beer.