[oscarvan]

So lets say that I have a secret ingredient that I want to incorporate into my beer. It's a liquid boiled from water and plant matter, but aside from the flavor aspect I suspect that it contains sugar, but I don't know what kind of sugar, and whether they are fermentable......

How does one proceed? The only thing I can think of is to put it in an erlenmeier and introduce some yeast and see what happens, but there has to be a better way.

[tygo]

Strain the liquid out and test it with a hydrometer.  If there are dissolved sugars you should be able to see that.

[stlaleman]

That will only tell you if the liquid has dissolved solids in it, does not have to be sugar.
Unless this mystery thing taste outlandishly sweet, or you add a huge amount, why worry? Add it, record your gravity and let it go!

[tubercle]

Make a tincture

[bluesman]

Do a FFT (fast ferment test). Compliments of Kai. You'll need about 8oz to do the test. Measure the starting gravity and conduct the test.

http://www.braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=Fast_Ferment_Test

[maxieboy]

I've tried it and it's not worth it.  Drink a beer and smoke a joint.

 

[Malticulous]

You may need to mash it first. I doubt that green leafy substance has any starch in it.

[euge]

Make a tincture

What he said.

[oscarvan]

Who said anything about green leafy substances?

OK, can do a fast ferment test, especially wit bread yeast as per the article, I got plenty of that..... any suggestions on how much bred yeast per volume?

Not finding much info on how to do a tincture.....

[a10t2]

OK, can do a fast ferment test, especially wit bread yeast as per the article, I got plenty of that..... any suggestions on how much bred yeast per volume?

It doesn't really matter. The idea is to pitch an overwhelming amount of yeast and get the fermentation finished as quickly as possible. In a sample that's a few ounces, even a gram of dry yeast would be more than enough.

[tubercle]

Not finding much info on how to do a tincture.....

 

  On a high level, soak in vodka, strain and use the vodka which is now infused with the plant goodies.

 For example, take 5 or 6 mint leaves and crush. Cover with vodka and leave for a couple of days. The liquid is tincture of mint.

[tygo]

The liquid is tincture of mint.

Hmm, off topic, but I bet that would be nice for a mojito.

[euge]

Not finding much info on how to do a tincture.....

 

  On a high level, soak in vodka, strain and use the vodka which is now infused with the plant goodies.

 For example, take 5 or 6 mint leaves and crush. Cover with vodka and leave for a couple of days. The liquid is tincture of mint.

Better if the "mint" was 100% dry before soaking and ground to a fine powder. For best extraction 2 gram per 1oz of high proof alcohol such as Everclear. Strain through coffee filter.

[oscarvan]

Ah, OK....get the tincture part. Will report back on the fast ferment.

[ipaguy]

If you really want to take it up a notch use one of these with the Everclear:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soxhlet_extractor