Belgian Candi Sugar

Authentic Belgian Character • Dry Strength Without Heaviness • Caramel Depth

Belgian Candi Sugar is the traditional brewing sugar of Belgium's great abbey ales, prized for raising alcohol while keeping even the strongest beers light, dry, and dangerously drinkable. Fully fermentable, it lets tripels and quads reach 9% and beyond without turning syrupy — and in its darker forms it layers in rich caramel and dark fruit character no malt quite duplicates.

At 36 PPG and 1 °Lovibond, Belgian Candi Sugar contributes solid fermentable gravity with minimal color of its own, letting the rest of the recipe set the beer's hue.

Flavor & Aroma Profile

• Dries the finish while boosting ABV
• Signature Belgian lightness of body
• Caramel and toffee notes (dark versions)
• Hints of dark fruit and burnt sugar when dark
• Lets abbey yeast esters shine

Smaller additions simply lighten and strengthen the beer; larger additions are what give Belgian strong ales their hallmark digestibility — big alcohol carried on a slim, dry body that invites another sip.

Brewing Applications

Belgian Candi Sugar is a staple ingredient in many classic Belgian styles, including:

• Belgian Tripel
• Belgian Dubbel
• Belgian Quadrupel
• Belgian Golden Strong Ale
• Belgian Blonde
• Belgian Dark Strong Ale
• Saison

It is also useful in any high-gravity recipe where you want more strength without more body.

Usage Recommendations

Belgian Candi Sugar is typically used at 0.5–2 lbs per 5 gallons, or about 5–20% of total fermentables. The low end dries and lifts a blonde or saison; the high end powers tripels and quads to full strength while keeping them light on the palate. Add it late in the boil, or in the fermenter once primary activity slows for very big beers.

Pair it with an expressive abbey yeast strain — the drier body it creates is what lets those spicy, fruity esters take center stage.

Specifications

• PPG (Points Per Pound Per Gallon): 36
• Color: 1 °Lovibond
• Flavor Notes: Dries the finish, Belgian character, caramel (dark versions)
• Usage Rate: 0.5–2 lbs per 5 gallons (5–20% of fermentables)
• Beer Styles: Tripels, dubbels, quads, golden strong ales

Whether you're brewing a luminous tripel, a brooding quad, or a crisp Belgian blonde, Belgian Candi Sugar provides the authentic fermentable backbone behind Belgium's most celebrated ales.