If I put champaign yeast in my homebrew will it up the alcohol content of my stout?!
If I put champaign yeast in my homebrew will it up the alcohol content of my stout?
Answers:
Yes. But..
The species of yeast that are used in brewing beer impart the flavors that we have come to associate with beer. They also have an attenuation (degree of fermentation) rate the produces an alcohol content of 4-10% on average. With slightly higher and lower percentages depending on conditions. The yeast used in wine have a much stronger attenuation. The alcohol in wine is usually about 12-13% but could be higher.
If you want that "super brew" I suggest you use a brewrs yeast for the first couple of days. Then pitch in your champagne yeast. This way you get both the beer flavors and the wine alcohol. This may take a few batches to perfect but it should work for you.
Keep in mind that your beer may be very dry (no residual sugars) as the wine yeast is so voracious that it will utilize it all. This may also leave your beer "thin" of body. Perhaps in your mash your can produce some dextrines that may not be fermented. {I say may not, because it would depend on the yeast, brewers yeast does not ferment dextrines.}
Lots of info:
www.associationofbrewers.com
Good luck and enjoy the brew