Wondering if anyone has used brown sugar in lieu of corn sugar to amp up the %? Taste benifits sound good but too new to the brewing hobby to try it. Yet Any input i greatly appreciated.
Tried it numerous times and I’ve never noticed any flavor from it.
If there is flavor, it’s minor. Try molasses
you can use any sugar to up your abv. if you are after flavor as well plain brown sugar is not a good bet. that flavor is molasses as Steve says, you are better off adding molasses directly for that flavor.
I brew a wheat wine with coconut sugar (Jaggary?) and in high enough doses I get decent flavor from that. But that is like 4 lbs in 5 gallons so alot.
maple syrup in sufficient quantities adds a nice flavor note but again you have to use a lot.
I use 2 lbs in a 5 gallon recipe for an Apple Pie cider that I do (Domino Light Brown). As others have said, no real flavor contribution, just bumps the alcohol and gives it a little color.
A sugar like Muscovado adds some flavor as it has more molasses content.
American brown sugar is just plain table sugar sprayed with molasses. So there is very little actual flavor component on the brown sugar itself. If you want that molasses flavor you need to add molasses or a different unrefined sugar. You can find various unrefined sugars at regular grocery stores but ethnic stores will be your best choice to find them cheaply and sometimes unique options.