I got a kit a couple weeks back and after looking through a couple of the posts here concerning that particular style of kit I started on it. I had read in one post that the alcohol content on these kits is in the 9-10 range and I was looking to boost it a tad. In the same post, someone had mentioned adding extra sugar to boost the alcohol produced. I added about 6 lbs of sugar and raised the SG (I don't have the SG reading handy - at work and all my notes are at home). I let it sit an extra week before doing the second step that involves degassing, chitosan/kelisol, and sweetener. The instructions say to add the sweetener and then the chitosan/kelisol (in the proper order), however, I was so caught up in making sure I got the chitosan and kelisol added in the correct order that I forgot about the sweetener bag!
I decided to go ahead and add the sweetener after the chitosan/kelisol and cross my fingers that no chemical reactions might occur that would be detrimental to my health. I had planned on letting it bulk age a little longer than the directions said because I had added the extra sugar at mixing time and after seeing the lees, i was planning on racking at least once more before I bottle it.
My question is, shall i let the experiment continue or did I just irreversibly ruin my kit? I'm thinking not, but i figure i might as well ask the experts here for a little enlightenment...
I decided to go ahead and add the sweetener after the chitosan/kelisol and cross my fingers that no chemical reactions might occur that would be detrimental to my health. I had planned on letting it bulk age a little longer than the directions said because I had added the extra sugar at mixing time and after seeing the lees, i was planning on racking at least once more before I bottle it.
My question is, shall i let the experiment continue or did I just irreversibly ruin my kit? I'm thinking not, but i figure i might as well ask the experts here for a little enlightenment...
