Bulldog, Hammer of Thor

[Bjorn Toulouse]

Yeah know what you meen with the chill haze, I tend to drink my beer from the freezer. I have stated drinking this over the last few weeks as my stocks are low of other beer. It tastes much better now than it did in october.

Still not a crisp clean lager BUT it is a pretty strong beer. Much better after 5 months :)

 

[wheazy_joe]

Bottled this on 25th March so has now had about nine weeks.

Have only tried a couple, had one last night and thought I'd write a short thought on it.

First things first, this is a strong beer, 6%+ and by heck it tastes every bit as strong as that, if not stronger! As someone who is used to fairly light commercial lagers this takes a bit of getting used to. In fact so far it has taken me about half a 500ml bottle to acquire the taste, and by the time I finish it I'm really not wanting to open another because I can feel the effects already!

All in I'd say this one isn't really to my taste however I will stick with it and no doubt get through the 40 bottles having the odd one here and there. Have given a couple to friends to try so hopefully they like and can enjoy a few more.

 

[Bjorn Toulouse]

I finished the last of them last night. The brew has not mellowed any more.
Still tastes like a strong ale as opposed to a lager.

Intresting batch but I don't think I'll make this one again. Currently brewing coopers wheat beer with wheat extract.

Have yet to find a lager that comes close to Coopers Euro.

Joe I take it you got your kit from Glen Brew on Dumbarton Road?

 

[wheazy_joe]

I sure did get it from Glen Brew, nice wee shop actually.

Agree on Coopers Euro, I've got a batch of this that's been in the bottle about 6/7 weeks (my memory is terrible, wonder why??) and it is excellent already. Infact have bought another kit and will be getting it going soon, just need to figure where to brew it now we're into summer. My lager spot (cupboard under the stairs) might be a bit hot now, and worried the garage might fluctuate too much. I need a brew fridge!!!

 

[Bjorn Toulouse]

Yeah know what you meen, I have turned my dining room into a mini brewery. I recon we will still have one mabee 2 weeks left for the euro. Bad cold summer = Euro Lager.

The coopers wheat beer is not a bad substitue when the weather gets warmer.

All the best

 

[wheazy_joe]

Thought it worth an update on the Hammer of Thor. Not sure whether its my palate getting used to it or the beer mellowing a bit having been in the bottle for three monts; but I'm really beginning to like this beer!

I still would not class it as a lager, definitely an ale, and a reasonably heavy one at that. I've always been a lager drinker and lets be honest, most commercial lagers, when you really consider them, are pretty much tasteless. Making my own beers has really opened my eyes to this and a beer like Hammer of Thor is definitely not tasteless!

I would say this is very much an acquired taste, which I seem to have!

 

[gbox82]

Not sure if this is the place to ask a question about this beer...but I've started this keg on Sunday and by day 2 the krausen had all gone? I've not had this before with a brew (I've probably done about ten or so).

It still appears to be fermenting as there are lots of small bubbles rising to the surface but no foam or other bits that I've seen before when brewing. Is this just because it's more of a light ale/strong lager?

 

[Bjorn Toulouse]

don't worry about it, let it brew for 14 - 17 days depending on temp (21 in my brew room) (dining room) then bottle.

 

[gbox82]

Ah ok. Thanks for the help :-)

 

[nigelnorris]

. .

 

[timmy80]

Mine is in the fermentation chamber at 17c now. Has anyone actually lagered theirs and also what yeast is in this kit? Cheers

 

[Personal91]

this has been a most enjoyable thread to read and i have learnt alot aswell, now to get my hammer of thor on the go

 

[LM555]

Hi, all, first time posting here after reading the thread.

I brewed for my first time a beer from the Coopers kit, and although it's alcoholic, it didn't turn out quite as planned. Pretty sure this is due to the dodgy temperature here in Ireland in my old house.

At any rate, I got this kit and a new bucket in the post, and want it to come out as perfect as possible. After reading the thread and learning what things like cold crashing are, I came up with this calender, and I'm hoping someone can give it a once over, see if anything should be changed.

Thanks!

 

[Bigd2657]

Hi LM55

All seems good with the calendar and cant see any drastic problems appearing.
when I am brewing Hammer Of Thaw I tend to brew at around the 16 - 18 Degree mark and follow the instructions like obviously you are.

I don't bother to rack of as I don't see the point, but this Lager is quite a high gravity lager which will take a lot of time to condition.
I left mine for 9 months conditioning the same with the Bad Cat Beer from the same manufacturer and it started tasting good from the 9 month.
If you can leave it any longer then all well and good but it is certainly drinkable from the 9 month.

The reason for its long condition is because of its high gravity.

I hope this has cleared up any areas you were unsure of .

Please keep us all informed on how you get on with it.

Incidently this is going to be my next beer of which I am going to put on in time for xmas .

Good Luck
Big D 2657

 

[LM555]

Hi, BD, thanks for the words. Why does a high gravity beer need a longer condition time? I'm mostly racking it to get some sediment out. My new tub doesn't have a tap, whereas the Cooper's one does, so my thinking is that racking to that one, cold crashing to make the sediment solid would help get the beer nice and clear of debris.

When it's conditioning in the bottle, what should the temperature be? Am I right in thinking that certain types of beer require certain temperatures to to mature, or is it the yeast strain?

 

[Bigd2657]

Hi LM55

High gravity beers need longer to condition as the malt although has gone through the process with the yeast. has still got to chill itself out and try and relax a bit so it has its own process.
the Hammer Of Thor can be drank sooner but it will not be as nicer beer and will still have strange flavours and that devilish homebrew twang until it has come out of its conditioning cycle.

For conditioning in the bottle I normally leave it for 2 weks in the house then I put it outside in the shed especially now it is coming spring and so long as it is all sealed in bottles and dirt free I just leave it there no set temperature is required.

hope this has ben of some use to you.

Big D 2657

 

[LM555]

Well, I got it going today, a little later than I planned. Should I have stirred the yeast in? Because I just sprinkled it on the top. Also, should I check the gravity tonight?

 

[Regishaunus]

I made the mistake of leaving my heater belt on over a weekend I went away. Fermenting vessel temp was up to 26c when I got back. Despite leaving the beer 8 weeks the taste was a little (green apple) still, only a couple of pints left in the keg so it couldn't be too bad! 😂

 

[andym99]

I have just started brewing this one. I am planning to bottle it either bulk priming first at the end or straight to 500 ml bottles with carbonation drops. The instructions say 110g of sugar or 1 carbonation drop (for a 330ml or 500ml bottle). From past experience with lagers these recommendations can be a little conservative with the lager thus turning out a bit flat. Has anyone safely used 2 carbonation drops per 500 ml bottle, or bulk primed and upped the sugar?

 

[LM555]

First day in, it's in my studio, the warmest part of the house, bubbling away pretty solidly. The room now smells slightly of beer, it's already quite nice.