DavidH41 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Hi, I am a extreme brewing novice.[pouty] I want to make a Coopers Dark Ale but bump it up to 6% if possible without ruining it. I don't want to use anything fancy just the stuff from Big W. I have the Dark Ale kit, 500 g of Light Dry Malt, 700 g of Dextrose and I also have some Lactose which I wouldn't mind adding. Is there any way of just using these ingredients to brew a dark ale at around 6% without it tasting like puke? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Hi David If you use all those ingredients and make it up to 21L you will end up with about 5.9%ABV in the bottle. However, I wouldn't use that much dextrose but that is my personal taste. You will still end up with a drinkable beer. Try ferment it at 18-20C if possible. Goodluck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidH41 Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 What does the dextrose do to the taste? If I add 1-200g of the lactose will it do anything positive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamH1525226084 Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I believe the lactose adds sweetness only, as it does not ferment out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidH41 Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 Does dextrose taste like anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Dextrose will ferment out so using too much may leave your beer tasting thin and cidery. Small quantities (eg. 200-300g) help inccrease the alcohol content and dry the beer out a little. I would increase the LDM and reduce the dex. The extra LDM will result in some residual sweetness so you probably won't need the lactose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamH1525226084 Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I think it just ups the alcohol content cos it ferments out completely. It means it's lighter in body than if you use the same amount of malt, which does flavour. But, I am not so experienced and knowledgeable on the making side of beer, only drinking it [lol] [Edit] Hairy is knowledgeable on the making side, so listen to him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidH41 Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 So does 900g of LDM to 300 g of Dextrose sound better? Fill to 21 or 22 Litres? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Yes that is better. 900g LDM and 300g dextrose at 21L will give you 5.6%ABV. 22L will give you 5.4% and 23L will be 5.2%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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