Lactose is milk sugar. Brewing yeast cannot ferment it, so the sweetness and body it adds stay in the finished beer - which is why it is the key ingredient in milk stouts and sweet stouts.
What it does
- Adds lasting sweetness that the yeast leaves behind
- Gives a smooth, creamy body
- Used in milk and sweet stouts, milkshake IPAs and sweeter cream ales
- Can also be used to sweeten ciders, since it will not ferment out
Details
- Weight: 500g
- Food grade, weighed and packed by BrewCo from 25kg sacks
-
Allergy advice: contains milk
See the How to Use box below for when and how to add it.
Goes well with
For brewers who like a sweeter, creamier stout or a softer, sweeter cider.
Dose
250-500g per 23L
250-300g typical
Adds
Sweetness & body
contains milk
When
Last 10-15 min of boil
Used for: Adds sweetness and a creamy body to milk stouts, pastry stouts and milkshake IPAs. Yeast can't ferment it, so the sweetness stays.
When: Extract/all-grain: last 10-15 minutes of the boil. Kits: dissolved in hot water and added with the kit.
Step by step
1Weigh 250-500g per 23 litres (250-300g is typical for a milk stout).
2Dissolve fully in hot wort or freshly boiled water.
3Add in the last 10-15 minutes of the boil, or stir into the fermenter with the kit.
4Ferment as normal - expect a higher final gravity.
Good to know: ALLERGEN: MILK. Not suitable for people with a milk allergy or vegans - label any bottles you give away. Don't use it as priming sugar - it won't carbonate the beer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much lactose for a 23 litre milk stout?
250-300g is typical. Use up to 500g for a sweeter beer.
When should I add it?
In the last 10-15 minutes of the boil, or dissolve in hot water and add with a kit.
Is it suitable for vegans or people with a milk allergy?
No - lactose is milk sugar.
Can I use it to carbonate bottles?
No - yeast can't ferment it, so use normal priming sugar for carbonation.