Coopers nailed it—if your beer still tastes thin, here’s the real reason why.

August 26, 2025

Boost Alcohol or Improve Mouthfeel? The Beer Sugar Debate, Settled

Primary Keyword: Coopers Dextrose

Complementary Keywords: Brew Enhancer, homebrew sugar options, improving beer kits

When you rip open your first beer kit and look at the extra packet saying “Add sugar,” it’s natural to look at the supermarket aisle and think, “Yeah… I’ve got sugar.” But what you add here can change the whole game.

Tossing in 1kg of white sugar will get a brew bubbling, sure — but what you end up with might not exactly get clinks from your mates. That’s where two options rise to the top: Coopers Dextrose and Brew Enhancers. They're both better than table sugar, but they’re not the same — and choosing the wrong one can leave you wondering where that ‘craft flavour’ went.

What Is Coopers Dextrose?

Dextrose is a clean, easily fermentable sugar. It fully ferments out, which means no sugary leftovers or sweet aftertaste. It’s designed to crank up the ABV without messing with the flavour profile of your beer. Ideal if you’re chasing crisp, dry beers like lagers, or just want a higher punch without the sweetness.

Coopers Dextrose (available in 1kg bags) is made from 100% glucose and used by brewers who want more control over final flavour — because it literally adds nothing but alcohol potential.

“Using dextrose is like adding rocket fuel to your beer – clean, efficient, and gets the job done without changing the flavour track.”

– Staff Brewer, Strathalbyn H Hardware

What’s a Brew Enhancer Then?

Brew Enhancers are blends — usually part dextrose, part maltodextrin (for body), and sometimes light dry malt extract (for flavour). These are built for fuller beers and rounding out mouthfeel. Think stouts, English ales, or if you're trying to avoid that ‘thin’ or watery texture you sometimes get in beginner kits.

For example, Coopers Brew Enhancer 2 is a popular choice for adding depth and malt character without diving into full-grain brewing. It gives your beer a bit of body and helps with head retention — again, especially handy in South Aussie climates where lighter beers can get a bit ‘flat’ faster.

Real Talk: What Changes in the Glass

With Dextrose: You get a cleaner finish, true-to-kit flavour, and a drier beer. Perfect for crisp styles.
With Brew Enhancer: You get extra mouthfeel, a more rounded flavour, and better head retention. Ideal for ales and beers with a malty lean.

Before & After: One Homebrew, Two Paths

A local regular brewed the same Coopers Lager kit twice — once using plain Coopers Dextrose, and once with Brew Enhancer 2. Fermentation temps and timing matched. The result?

Dextrose batch: Super clear, crisp finish. Light and smashable. Perfect for BBQ weather.
Brew Enhancer batch: Fuller, slightly hazier brew with a longer-lasting head and more body.

Same yeast. Same fermenter. Two totally different drinking experiences.

When to Pick What?

Dextrose is your mate when:

You want high alcohol and clean taste
You’re brewing lagers, pilsners, or dry ciders
You plan on adding flavour elsewhere (like dry-hopping later)

Brew Enhancer serves better when:

You want a creamier, fuller beer feel
You’re brewing ales, dark beers, or kits that benefit from malt character
You want more mouthfeel without going full-grain

Expert Tip for Local Brews

Here in SA, our beer often copes with warmer brew sheds and varied fermentation temps. Using Coopers Dextrose can save a batch from getting overly sweet or unbalanced if temps creep up. It ferments faster and more predictably — another reason many local shed-brewers trust it for consistent results.

Can You Mix Both?

Actually — yes. Some brewers swear by adding 50:50 dextrose and dry malt extract. This lets you bump the ABV and still deepen flavour and texture. It’s not a perfect split for every style, but it’s worth trying if you’re experimenting or building your signature recipe.

"Half the fun of brewing is fiddling ‘til you find your flavour–but knowing what each ingredient does puts the power in your hands."

DIY Doesn’t Mean Flying Blind

Being a homebrewer doesn’t mean settling for second-rate results. Picking the right sugar is more than choice — it’s about knowing the story you want your beer to tell. Crisp and sharp? Dextrose gets you there. Smooth and hearty? Brew Enhancer's your guy.

And if you're still not sure? Just ask in store — we’ve brewed the results ourselves (more than once) and are glad to talk it through, glass-by-glass.

Happy brewing and see you soon,

Candeece