Do you?

[S.F.B.]

I have some recipes that, over time, have sparked me to ask this question. What would this be like if I increase the alcahol?

I have done it with my basic amber ale and the results are great. I just finished the last of a batch that I bottled in February and it tasted great. There is another batch in the closet I bottled 3 weeks ago. This one I let sit in the secondary for 4 weeks. Can't wait to sample some of this. If it is close to the last I plan to let a couple sixes age for the next year.

The gravity increase is from .054 to .075. Of course the hops are different now to counter the higher sugar content. I ended up with an approximate ABV of 7.5-8%.

Does anyone else take a basic brew and try to scramble it into a bigger better brew?

[paul84043]

Yes, I have done the same thing, though, it's nice sometimes to have a "normal" beer if it's really hot outside, or maybe you're planning on going somewhere later in the day...

I like "big" beers, It's probably a guy thing...

[cyanide]

Why would you want to increase the alcohol on beers not intended for it? My last brew had the lowest alcohol level for the style just so it'd be more drinkable in the summer.

[paul84043]

It's a personal thing...like I said, there are definitely times when you want a "lighter" beer...but...big is good...

I made a Killians Irish Red clone that was supposed to come out to a whopping 1.038 OG...I added a pound of malt and a little more hops...it's fantastic.

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by cyanide
Why would you want to increase the alcohol on beers not intended for it?

My answer would be. "Because I can" :p . It's fun to experiment and see what the results are.

[b3s]

one of the things i like most about this hobby is alcohol control...i like big beers, so i tend to go higher gravity and longer ferment just so i can get the alcohol up there.

i try to get alcohol between 7 and 9 percent on average...because i like it and i can :D

[S.F.B.]

Originally posted by cyanide
Why would you want to increase the alcohol on beers not intended for it?

I like to experiment and tweek different recipes to see what is possible. I don't like to be bound by the guidelines of a particular style.

I still brew within styles guides. Just not all the time.

[paul84043]

b3s,
You average 7 to 9 %???
Wow...I think a party at your house would be a real experience!!

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by paul84043
b3s,
You average 7 to 9 %???
Wow...I think a party at your house would be a real experience!!

Yeah I second that....can we get a vote?

Party at b3s' house?

[S.F.B.]

Originally posted by Fast_Eddy
Yeah I second that....can we get a vote?

Party at b3s' house?

Aye!! :D

[b3s]

yes, that is the average, although my latest was quite disappointing in OG (about 15 points lower than expected...might have something to do with the three pints i had before hand). the ipa i'm drinking right now registered an 8.5, the stout (which i still have 12 sixteen ounce ez-caps of) was an even 8. even before that, with my extract brews, i was getting 7's and 9's...i was actually quite amazed...i got some pretty good attenuations going...it seemed like everything went to a 10 FG or lower...my wheat, after 2.5 weeks in primary went down to a 02 gravity! i think it will actually be lighter than water when it's done.

anyway...i don't know if it's beginners luck or what, i've been getting some damn good ferments...and feeling the effects :D might have something to do with increasing grains/extracts by 25% on the recipes i've been using.