coopers regular lager or european lager kit?

[tropicalpalmtree]

Hi, i think i am going to buy a coopers beer kit.

my question is, for anyone thats done these, which one tastes better, the regular lager or the European lager version?

any other lager kit suggestion? never brewed before and looking for ideas.

thank you

 

[terrym]

The regular lager kit comes with an ale yeast which means you can ferment at room temperature, say 18-21*C. The European comes with a lager yeast so you can ferment at a lower temperature more like a commercial lager, say 15*C, but since the quantity of kit yeast is only 7g there might not be enough to successfully ferment at 12-13*C which is more normal for lager fermentations.
I occasionally brew the Euro lager but enhance it with extras and use more yeast. I have not brewed the regular lager so can't comment.
I suggest for you the easier option would be the regular lager, with brew enhancer, or 500g dried malt extract and 500g dextrose.
Otherwise we have a kit review section here
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/beer-kit-reviews-a-z.77650/
And if you are new to brewing you might find this helpful
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...de-to-brewing-your-own-beer-from-a-kit.57526/

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi @tropicalpalmtree
Welcome to the forum.
The European lager needs several weeks of conditioning after it has been bottled.

 

[terrym]

Hi @tropicalpalmtree
Welcome to the forum.
The European lager needs several weeks of conditioning after it has been bottled.

+ 1 on that.
Conditioning means storage so that the beer matures and the flavours develop. Some beers can be drunk young, say within a few days, others need longer, some may need months.
So as Bigcol says the Euro lager needs weeks before it comes good, although it is drinkable before, so for that reason alone the regular may be better for you.

 

[Sandimas]

I've done both several times. I thought the European should have been better as it has a true lager yeast that prefers low-temp fermentation, I fermented it at 12C and conditioned it for 3 months but I preferred the standard lager.

Chuck 30g of Saaz or Hallertau in after 10 days of fermentation to dry hop it, and you will have a very nice brew - these are good kits.

 

[HarryFlatters]

I just kegged a batch of Euro and it smells exactly like Beck's.

So if you like Beck's, I guess go for the Euro :)

 

[Farley]

Hi, i think i am going to buy a coopers beer kit.

my question is, for anyone thats done these, which one tastes better, the regular lager or the European lager version?

any other lager kit suggestion? never brewed before and looking for ideas.

thank you

Hi, I done a Cooper's Canadian blonde
1kg brew sugar & 500g extra light spraymalt
brewed to 23/24 litres +kit yeast. Turned out really well, a real thrist quencher
(bud/Coors light but better) could easily be pimped with hopps.
Fermented for 12 days, batch primed with 110g sugar and came out at 5%