Coopers Australian Lager kit problems

[patmonger]

Hi guys,

I'm working on my first home brew with the Cooper's starter kit. I only used what came with the kit and brewed at around 22 degrees. I'm concerned that I pitched while it was at too high a temperature and damaged some of the yeast because the stick-on Thermometer didn't seem to be working at first, but hopefully it was only around 25/26 degrees.

Since I began, more research suggests that to aim for more of a Lager taste, I should have let it ferment at a lower temperature - I was just following the kit's instructions on aiming for 21-27 degrees.

Everything seemed to be going ok at first - although I have no reference point - and it looked like it was fermenting fine after 24 hours.

The original gravity was 1038 and exactly two weeks later it's 1013 (although I could swear yesterday it was 1012, but that could just be due to my plastic hydrometer). Does this sound normal? It's been longer than recommended, but I'll have to leave it at least another day until I'm confident it's stable. The kit says a good FG is between 1010-1012, but I've seen others say it's gone down to 1008 or 9, and having only 1013 has me worried.

Basically I just need a bit of opinion/guidance that I'm still doing ok, or whether it's possible the brew's no good. I had a little taste from the reading today and it doesn't taste awful, but not good, a bit soapy.

Also, a big worry is that I've been very careful to keep it from contamination, but I did look today and found what looked like an eye-lash/short hair floating on top which annoyed me. How likely is it that that will ruin the brew?

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

 

[jonnymorris]

I'm concerned that I pitched while it was at too high a temperature... it was only around 25/26 degrees.

25/26 is a bit high but as long as it was on it's way down you'll probably be OK.

Since I began, more research suggests that to aim for more of a Lager taste, I should have let it ferment at a lower temperature

Correct but, your kit will most likely have come with an ale yeast so fermenting at 20degC is fine.

Does this sound normal?

Yes, sounds like it's done. Get it in the bottle.

...found what looked like an eye-lash/short hair

Don't worry about it, it'll be great.

 

[GavH]

You won't get a true Lager taste from this kit - it uses an Ale yeast. Only Coopers European Lager and Pilsner use lager yeasts.

 

[patmonger]

Thanks guys,

I went ahead and bottled with a mixture of 1, 1 1/2 and 2 Coopers carbonation drops per 500ml to see what works best. Hopefully it will turn out ok.

This is a completely newbee question, but there was a pile of yeast etc. at the bottom of the vessel, is this normal?

 

[GavH]

Yep, absolutely normal.

 

[mattyhall22]

Thanks guys,

I went ahead and bottled with a mixture of 1, 1 1/2 and 2 Coopers carbonation drops per 500ml to see what works best. Hopefully it will turn out ok.

This is a completely newbee question, but there was a pile of yeast etc. at the bottom of the vessel, is this normal?

I found 1 carbonation drop per 500ml was just right, i would watch the bottles with 2 in incase they pop :

 

[GavH]

I found 1 carbonation drop per 500ml to be too flat. To each their own, although many people seem to report good things with 1.5 drops.

 

[Trucker5685]

I put 2 drops into 500ml bottles when bottling a Coopers Canadian Blonde. They've been fine, no bottle bombs and the right amount of fizz too, each to their own I suppose :drink:

 

[mattyhall22]

Thats the joy of home brewing so many different tastes and methods :)

 

[Mbarn]

I always do 2 as well. Seems perfect for the coopers lager, bit too much for the cervaza, many a time frothed over when putting the bottle down after one or two sips.

 

[peteoc]

Patmonger - you'll have to keep us updated - i'm still lacking my own first brew, got the same kit you have. I've been reading here though and going to ferment at a lower temp with lager yeast when I get round to going to the local home brew shop.

Got a fridge ready to be modded - still waiting for the Solid state relays, bloody postal service over Christmas!!

 

[alzybob]

just following the kit's instructions on aiming for 21-27 degrees..

Can I ask the experts please, why do these kits always say to allow fermenting at these temps? When discussion boards (in general) talk about optimum fermenting temperatures of 60-65F/15-18C?
Is it down to the strain of yeast?
Im just in the lag phase of Coopers Australian Pale Ale so its in a room which is at apprx 10-12C for the 15hour lag period, but I was thinking of leaving it there for fermentation - im in no hurry so was planning about 6 weeks in fermentation. Or would I be better moving it to a room with the Coopers recomended 21-27? Thanks as ever.

 

[NickW]

With most yeasts I usually ferment at 18c-20c.

I'd go for 20c if I were you, but it depends what yeast is supplied with the kit

 

[peteoc]

I've just stuck mine in with the ale yeast - couldn't get to the local home brew shop and couldn't wait any longer to get going! :)

I've gone for fermenting at 14 Deg C for 14 days, then going to raise to 18 degrees for rest for 3 days and then chill for 6 weeks and then bottle and leave priming for at least 3 weeks.

 

[pete_pete]

I did this kit 3 weeks ago. I used muntons beer kit enhancer for the first time. I tried a bottle last night but it seems flat and tastless. Could this be because i stored the bottles too cold and it hasn't secondary fermented? Could it be that the beer kit enhancer isn't good for lager or could it be the kit. Up to now i've done 5 successful brews; 2 ciders, 1 wine, 2 bitters. I'm confused, lost and disappointed. Still, i will try, try and try again until i get a decent lager!!

 

[Joeyriles]

Hey Pete, the lager was the same for me after 3 weeks. It needed about 4 to get the fizz going and it tasted pretty ropey when it did. About 2 months in it suddenly became lovely and I drank it all in about another 2 months...

 

[LarryF]

Patmonger, I bottled exactly this kit on 25/01/15, mine was brewed cold 18c for three weeks, I used 1 carbonation drop per bottle and they've had two weeks in the warm and one week in the shed. I tried a sneaky bottle last night and the carbonation is indeed coming along but it does have a slight HB twang but that will go with time. However, as this kit is my first ever brew the fact that I got a drinkable beer with not a bad head means that at the moment it one of the nicest beers I've ever had. Keep doing what you're doing, be full on OCD about cleaning and be patient with it and I'm sure in a couple of months you'll have a gorgeous beer to drink.

 

[Sandimas]

Yep, this one needs a good 12 weeks before you drink it, then it will magically transform. Even better if you dry hop as well. I did this last summer as an emergency lager in the hot weather, didn't really expect much but it came out really good.

 

[pete_pete]

thanks for the replies guys! i'll be patient and wait, i'll let you know if time works it's magic

 

[pete_pete]

Just wanted some opinions. What's better for priming do you think, carbonation drops or sugar? :wha: