priming with Agave Nectar

[McDur-Ham]

So i'm still just an extract brewer and still bottle instead of keg. I was just curious if anyone had tried using agave to prime with then bottle and how much to use in a 5 gal. batch? From what I've read it has about the same fermentability as honey. Also I'm scared that by using agave, it may leave residual sweetness in my bottles that I don't want in the IPA I'm brewing. Any suggestions?

[Ironman]

My suggestion is to just do it. You'll likely get something tasty in any case.

[brewinhard]

I doubt the nectar will leave behind any noticeable sugars especially b/c you are using such a small amount for priming. It may sound like a very cool idea, but where I am from Agave nectar is quite more expensive than corn sugar. With the tiny amount of fermentables you will be adding to prime your beer you might as just well add priming sugar instead.

Okay, I know, Mr. Naysayer... go for it, but I am not sure how much you will really get from the agave nectar esp. in a hoppy beer like an IPA. I would think you could probably treat it as honey in terms of fermentability. You should check out the book Radical Brewing by Randy Mosier as he probably has some good tips for using those types of fermentables. Good luck!

[McDur-Ham]

Thanks. I decided to hold off on the agave until I brew a sweeter beer just in case. I will def. check out that book before then though.