Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
I have just made an elderflower ale and it is nearing the end of fermentation. The elderflower taste is great but it has fermented down quite low and is drier than I would like. I understand there are ways to add less fermentable sugars by raising the temperature of the mash which will then raise the sweetness of the final product but obviously it is too late for this.
Is there a sugar I can add before bottling that will give some gas but also sweetness (I don't want the bottles to explode!)?
Is there a sugar I can add before bottling that will give some gas but also sweetness (I don't want the bottles to explode!)?
Last edited by confounded on Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
You could go 2/3 maltodextrin, 1/3 dextrose. 5g per bottle. The dextrose will ferment and carbonate, the malto will not ferment and will sweeten very slightly.
Re: Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
Quite a lot of the less traditional Belgian fruit ales use saccharin to add sweetness.
Re: Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
Thanks for the reply guys, I will look into the different options. I have just tried it again and it is not as dry as I originally thought so may only need a little adding but it will be a useful experiment.
Re: Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
I guess that would be an interesting flvourconfounded wrote:Is there a sugar I can add before bottling that will give some gas but also sweatiness (I don't want the bottles to explode!)?

Re: Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
oopps, that is horrible!
Thanks for spotting it, I will edit it now.
Thanks for spotting it, I will edit it now.
Re: Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
Alternative suggestion, A blended brew.
Rack this brew into a plastic barrel. make another brew quickly, mash it on the warm side to keep it sweet, use S04 and in 5 to 6 days time blend the two brews togther and bottle. It's not against the law to blend beer and a lot nicer than using artificial sweeteners. And you will have twice as much beer
)
Rack this brew into a plastic barrel. make another brew quickly, mash it on the warm side to keep it sweet, use S04 and in 5 to 6 days time blend the two brews togther and bottle. It's not against the law to blend beer and a lot nicer than using artificial sweeteners. And you will have twice as much beer

Re: Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
Do a quick google search on sucralose the main ingredient in splenda, frighten the pants off you.Chris-x1 wrote:I'd use splenda or similar. Malto dextrin has little or no flavour.
- dcq1974
- Lost in an Alcoholic Haze
- Posts: 533
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:58 pm
- Location: Northamptonshire
Re: Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
What's wrong with removing a few hydroxyl groups and replacing with chlorides? 
Standard Organic Chemistry that!

Standard Organic Chemistry that!

DCQ Ph.D
author in
Handbook of Alcoholic Beverages: Technical, Analytical and Nutritional Aspects, 2 Volume Set, 1204 pages, edited by Alan J Buglass
**OUT NOW**
To find out more and buy online, go to
http://as.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle ... ption.html
author in
Handbook of Alcoholic Beverages: Technical, Analytical and Nutritional Aspects, 2 Volume Set, 1204 pages, edited by Alan J Buglass
**OUT NOW**
To find out more and buy online, go to
http://as.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle ... ption.html
Re: Adding sweetness at end of fermentation
I know, it's not really my style to be alarmist, I read it the other day as I asked the same question on another forum.
What will get us first, the additives, the astroid on a collision course or yosemite going bang.
I reckon it will be the liver packing up from to many samples of the brew
What will get us first, the additives, the astroid on a collision course or yosemite going bang.
I reckon it will be the liver packing up from to many samples of the brew
