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Author Topic: When to add sugar for Biere de Garde  (Read 3371 times)

Offline bboy9000

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When to add sugar for Biere de Garde
« on: July 12, 2013, 07:52:16 am »
I'm planning on using a 1/2 pound of sugar on a Biere de Garde that will have an OG of 1.083 with an appropriate starter according to the Mr. Malty calculator.  To prevent the yeast from stalling and under attenuating I'm considering adding the sugar to the fermentor after primary fermentation slows down.  If so, I was going to boil it with water and cool it before adding to the fermentor.  Do you think I should do this, or should I add the sugar to the kettle?
Brian
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Offline morticaixavier

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Re: When to add sugar for Biere de Garde
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2013, 08:32:34 am »
I think you should add the sugar to the fermenter after the first few days. It is supposed to be healthier for the yeast as it keeps the osmotic pressure on the fermenting beer down and I find that it helps with keeping the temp rise down on a big or a really digestible beer.
 
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Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: When to add sugar for Biere de Garde
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2013, 08:40:00 am »
I add everything to the kettle, but either way works.

1/2 lb is not so much that I would think it makes any difference either way.

If you're talking about reaching maximum achievable ABV, then I could get into the staggered sugar additions to the fermenter.  Otherwise, IMO it's close enough to equal either way.
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Offline bboy9000

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Re: When to add sugar for Biere de Garde
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2013, 09:18:34 am »
I had a 1.085 BDS with 2 pounds of sugar stall but that's a lot of simple sugar and I also suspect the yeast weren't ready to go.
Brian
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Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: When to add sugar for Biere de Garde
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2013, 09:30:54 am »
Aeration is also important in bigger beers.  I've got a tripel with 2lbs of sugar fermenting right now.  No signs yet of stalling.  If it does, I'll report back but I don't expect it to.

Definitely, you need a good pitch of healthy yeast for a beer this size.
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Offline denny

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Re: When to add sugar for Biere de Garde
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2013, 09:42:40 am »
I'd add it to the kettle and get it over with.  I have never had any problem getting high gravity beers with sugar to ferment completely.  Be sure to pitch an appropriate size starter of healthy yeast.
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Offline AmandaK

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Re: When to add sugar for Biere de Garde
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2013, 12:39:10 pm »
1/2 lb is not so much that I would think it makes any difference either way.

My thoughts exactly.
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Offline morticaixavier

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Re: When to add sugar for Biere de Garde
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2013, 02:21:03 pm »
I certainly didn't mean to imply that he had to, just doesn't seem like that much more work to me. given that there are situations where it WILL potentially make a difference why not get in the habit?
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Offline bboy9000

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Re: When to add sugar for Biere de Garde
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2013, 04:10:02 pm »
Thanks for the input everyone. Even though it would likely work adding the cane sugar to the boil, I decided to leave it out and add it to the carboy near the end of primary fermentation.  According to the Mr. Malty calculator I had a sufficient pitch but not according to the "Pro Brewer" setting's on the Brewer's Friend calculator.  I've added 1.5 pounds to the boil for a Belgian Blond without issues but I don't want to take a chance on this beer under-attenuating as its supposed to be malty but dry.  Also, as morticaixavier mentioned,  It will be good practice for the future (when I decide to re-brew my BDS).  I'll post my results When the Biere de Garde is done bottle conditioning.
Brian
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