It seems like the only reason to add plain sugar is to boost ABV without changing flavor. If I want a lighter beer, can I just leave out the sugar? Or will that affect the flavor?
I'm not talking about dark candi syrups or raw sugar like turbinado. I know they contribute unique flavors.
Thanks!
If you leave it out, you will not have a tripel. Even more than alcohol, the sugar is there for what's referred to as "digestibility". It lightens the body of the beer. If you leave it out you will be making a different style of beer.
Alcohol itself adds to flavour/aroma, and to perception of body, the latter being critical for tripel, characterized by its dryness.
So, the answer depends on what you mean by "lighter" here. If you mean just "less alcohol", then sure, leave out the sugar. If "lighter" is about compounded perception of lightness, then you may want to reduce grain, too. In any case, it won't be tripel anymore. If you're after a crisp light beer with a belgian twist, check out the sort called "trappist single".
Geeks Mental is a community that publishes articles and tutorials about Web, Android, Data Science, new techniques and Linux security.