Priming sugar - cane/beet/dextrose any functional difference to final brew?

Tom_B

Does it make any difference to the final brew what kind of sugar used for priming bottles?

HBO_Staff

Generally speaking because you prime a bottle with a relatively small amount of sugar it wont usually make too much difference to the brew what type of sugar you use, what you are really doing is just adding a little sugar to create a secondary fermentation in the bottle which will then carbonate the brew and pressurise the bottle.

The main thing is that the sugar can dissolve, so try to keep the bottles around 20 degrees C or so for at least a few days, the secondary fermentation can then get going.

Popular options are brewing sugar as it dissolves easily, or carbonation drops for priming your bottles, as these are quick and easy and produce a reliable and consistent fizz:

https://www.home-brew-online.com/ingredients-c45/crafty-fox-carbonation-drops-p2876