Coopers kits temperature

[linearcraig]

Just put the lid on a coopers brewing kit.

Says the ideal temp can be around 24/25c is that something I should do or should I keep it lower?

Thanks for any input.

 

[eggman]

Definitely keep it lower mate.
I know the instructions do state that but that's just to get it to brew faster and not good practice really. Anything over 21-22c you run the risk of picking up funky flavours due to the temps, 18c is a better figure to aim for
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[ScottM]

I've never understood this. Why do the manufacturers insist on haste rather than quality? Even if they added "for best results ferment at 18-21 degrees", it would make a hell of a lot more sense than just ramping up the temp to narrow the brewing time.

It's a good job places like this forum exist, and communities like the people who join this forum exist, as if they didn't I reckon the "kit" industry would, rightfully, be on its ****.

 

[eggman]

It's a good job places like this forum exist, and communities like the people who join this forum exist, as if they didn't I reckon the "kit" industry would, rightfully, be on its ****.

:clap:

It's all about the profits The quicker you brew, the quicker you drink it and the quicker you buy another of their kits :nono: :evil:

 

[ScottM]

It's a good job places like this forum exist, and communities like the people who join this forum exist, as if they didn't I reckon the "kit" industry would, rightfully, be on its ****.

:clap:

It's all about the profits The quicker you brew, the quicker you drink it and the quicker you buy another of their kits :nono: :evil:

IMO that's really silly though. Why not write some instructions where the kit you brew is REALLY worth brewing again, thus you telling your friends about it.. etc...etc... etc and that way everybody wins.

In saying that, I doubt the breweries and pubs would see it that way, so perhaps there is something behind the scenes.

 

[eggman]

Some of them are getting better. Recently brewed a Richies Festival kit and the instructions/guidelines were very good in my opinion and much less optimistic regarding brewing times. And the beer is very good
But you are right they should write the instructions to make the best beer possible
:

 

[linearcraig]

Hmmm its sitting at 24 just now I might let this pan out at 24 see how I get on.

 

[ScottM]

Some of them are getting better. Recently brewed a Richies Festival kit and the instructions/guidelines were very good in my opinion and much less optimistic regarding brewing times. And the beer is very good
But you are right they should write the instructions to make the best beer possible
:

Sounds good, I've always been a fan of their cider kits. They definitely seem like the ones to watch now. I can't see past Ritchies and Coopers for the styles that I brew. The coopers instructions always go directly in the bin, but they do make a decent product :)

 

[ScottM]

Hmmm its sitting at 24 just now I might let this pan out at 24 see how I get on.

It'll not turn it into pisswater, but you will get better/cleaner tasting results from lower temperatures. You can only work with the tools you have though :)

I'm quite fortunate at the moment that the house is a reasonably constant 18-19 degrees. My coopers ginger beer kit is currently sitting at 21 degrees on the button (the upper limit of "ideal" IMO). In a few days it'll be moved out to my fermenting fridge (have a stout in on its secondary leg) which will see the temps within 0.5 degrees for the duration

 

[jonnymorris]

In a few days it'll be moved out to my fermenting fridge (have a stout in on its secondary leg) which will see the temps within 0.5 degrees for the duration

Not wishing to teach you to suck eggs but, on the basis that temp control is more crirical during the initial stages of fermentation, would you not be better off putting your beer in primary in the fridge and the one in secondary in the house?

 

[Kinleycat]

Try and keep mine between 18-22c.
I noticed that the European lager kit does have lager yeast so can this one be kept cooler? Also is the yeast pitched at a lower temp too?

 

[ScottM]

In a few days it'll be moved out to my fermenting fridge (have a stout in on its secondary leg) which will see the temps within 0.5 degrees for the duration

Not wishing to teach you to suck eggs but, on the basis that temp control is more crirical during the initial stages of fermentation, would you not be better off putting your beer in primary in the fridge and the one in secondary in the house?

Most definitely, but I'm lazy and the house is actually fairly consistent. It doesn't appear to have budged from 20/22 according to the temp strip so I think I'm OK.

I couldn't dream of doing it this way in the summer though, thankfully it's the central heating regulating the temperature and not the weather

 

[ScottM]

Try and keep mine between 18-22c.
I noticed that the European lager kit does have lager yeast so can this one be kept cooler? Also is the yeast pitched at a lower temp too?

I didn't but I know that it could be improved if I did. I didn't have the facility to decrease the temperature at the time unfortunately.

I recently brewed my first proper lager. Fermented at 13 degrees from start to finish, currently stored at 3 degrees in my fridge outside

I would recommend it, just to get the best you can with the kit :)

 

[linearcraig]

Its just really difficult for to keep it cool. I'm gonna try some ice packs today and see if that works.

 

[ScottM]

Its just really difficult for to keep it cool. I'm gonna try some ice packs today and see if that works.

Sometimes finding a cooler location in the house is a better idea. I really struggle in the summer so tend to use my kitchen. The loft is like an oven so putting things up there during the summer isn't ideal.

 

[africadan]

New brewer here, using the Coopers Home Brew Kit. The Uk is having a warm summer (hard to believe!). On day 2 the brew is showing 26 degrees (strip thermometer). Should I leave it at this or move it to my cellar which is room temperature of 20 degrees. Is it ok to move?

Lots of conflicting advice around brewing temperature.

Thanks

 

[Moley]

Should I leave it at this or move it to my cellar which is room temperature of 20 degrees.

Get it moved.

20°C is just about perfect for most ale yeasts :thumb:

True lager yeasts like it even cooler, which kit are you brewing? I believe one of the Cooper's lager kits uses an ale yeast and another uses a lager yeast, but I can't remember which is which.

 

[NickW]

Should I leave it at this or move it to my cellar which is room temperature of 20 degrees.

Get it moved.

20°C is just about perfect for most ale yeasts :thumb:

True lager yeasts like it even cooler, which kit are you brewing? I believe one of the Cooper's lager kits uses an ale yeast and another uses a lager yeast, but I can't remember which is which.

The European Coopers uses a lager yeast. I can confirm this as I'm going to do this kit tomorrow :thumb:

I'll be putting it in the brew fridge at 15'c.

 

[mike77]

It may not be a true lager yeast, more of a multi purpose yeast. I just used a yeast last week that describes itself as

"Suitable to ferment lager styles at 15-20 degrees C (59-68 degrees F) and all other beer styles at 20-32 degrees C (68-90 degrees F)"

http://mangrovejacks.com/collections/craft-series-yeasts/products/workhouse-yeast-10g

I'm beginning to think that it may just be a copy of the coopers yeast or something very similar.

Anyway from what I understand is that the coopers yeast is capable of a wide temp range and will produce fruity flavors at the higher end which depending on your tastes is no bad thing. If you have ever drank Coopers beer bought from the shops then it is very fruity.

I don't think they are giving bad advice but perhaps they could explain a bit better what the difference would be at different brewing temps.

 

[graysalchemy]

I might let this pan out at 24 see how I get on.

Please take heed of the collective experience of the forum we don't say keep it below 21 for the sake of it . :evil: :evil:

Fusel alcohols in your beer are no laughing matter. They taste solventy and even a minute amount is all you need to detect it. Not pleasent.

And to make matters worse in some scientific quarters they suggest that fusels are responsible for those banging hangovers. :evil: :evil:

So please keep your temps down.

However it is the initial stages of fermentation which are most temp critical, so lets hope that the temps were lower in the first 24-48 hrs.

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