Give it a shot on the sugar. If you dry the brown sugar that way, make sure you open the door and lower the humidity. The CS is known as a very humid smoker and you need to dry that sugar.
For the brine, I wouldn't replace all the water (a gallon of beer?) but I've been known to add some strong beer to my brines. I've used Chimay and Guiness.
quote:Sorry this has gotten longer
Not EVEN a long post. If you've read all the threads, over 100,000 at last counting, you'd know what a Smokin' Post looks like...a LOT longer
Congrats and enjoy!