brewing sugars

jjbuck · Post by **jjbuck** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 5:01 pm

I've been reading Mosher's "Radical Brewing" with great interest. He advocates using "unrefined" or raw sugars to add layers of flavor and lighten high gravity beers. Sugars like Demerara, Turbinado, Muscovado, Piloncillo, and Jaggery. I've found Demerara, locally but was able to locate only turbinado on the net. I did find coconut palm sugar as well but it was extraordinarily expensive. ($50 for 6lbs). I'm curious about these sugars and was wondering if anyone knew of a local market for any or a website where they may be found? Thanks.

jjbuck · Post by **jjbuck** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 5:14 pm

I no sooner open my mouth to say I can't find something and then I find a great website with reasonable prices. I'd still like to find these sugars locally however. http://www.sugarindia.com/product.htm

johnnyik · Post by **johnnyik** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:54 pm

Turbinado sugar can be found at Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart, Target, Fareway. It's called Sugar in the Raw and is bought in 2lb boxes. We use it everyday in our coffee! It's about $4 a box. I think I've seen Agave nectar at Fareway as well and most likely at Hy-Vee.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:41 am

I enjoyed Radical Brewing as well. Tons of great ideas, and variations to try.

Jo Jo's Oriental Store in the Town & Country Shopping Center will have some options for you. They've got old school bricks of sugar (and all sorts of strange and interesting food).

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:37 am

Also check the organic section in the Hy Vee's they tend to put a lot of the specialty type stuff in that area.

jjbuck · Post by **jjbuck** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 1:51 pm

I found "polancillo" a mexican dark brown raw sugar at El Perico in Marion.

jjbuck · Post by **jjbuck** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 1:56 pm

Derek,
I checked out JoJos. I couldn't find any sugar but what a great place for odd spices and fruits. Hurray! I don't have to drive to Iowa City to find a decent chinese market anymore. Thanks!

TappedOut · Post by **TappedOut** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:09 pm

The piloncillo I've found has been cones of dark brown sugar. In addition to Mexican markets, I've also found it in the "ethnic" section at HyVee.

I've got to check out JoJo's.

tony b · Post by **tony b** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:14 pm

Sorry, dude. Had I known that you were looking for a good oriental market, I'd have turned you on to Jo-Jo's sooner. I go there for all of my off the wall stuff. Best shitake mushrooms around and cheap. I just need an interpreter to figure out what most of the stuff is!