Corn Sugar or not?

[fidcastro]

I was at a local store that sells some homebrewing supplies (it is not a homebrewing store - just a liquor store that happens to sell SOME supplies) and the store's homebrewing "expert" told me I shouldn't use corn sugar when bottling my beer. He said it ruins the flavor.

Before now I have thought that the corn sugar is necessary for the carbonation, and that it doesn't affect the taste much.

What gives? Was he just blowing smoke?

[wortchillergoal]

I think your "expert" was anything but. Using corn sugar to prime is ok. He is thinking of years ago when instead of a good quanity of malt they added sugar to drive up the alcohol. I do prime with DME instead of corn sugar as I think it gives the beer better mouthfeel.

[tubetek]

Howdy-
As a rule, I don't use corn sugar as part of the fermentables. For carbonation
(bottle or keg conditioning) it is the most consistent and seems to be a little faster than using DME. In the small amount used for carbonation it is all consumed by the yeast for CO2 generation...No flavor or body difference that I can tell.
If you decide to use DME instead, remember to use 33-50% more than corn sugar for the same carbonation level.

Corn sugar - .75 to 1.0 cup - 5 Gal.
DME - 1.0-1.5 cup - 5 Gal.

Enjoy

[YamahaXS]

I concur.


1 cup of corn sugar will not effect the way your beer tastes. Its a widely practiced procedure.