first brew - Coopers Australian Lager

[daddy day care]

This is my first brew so be gentle with me.

I have used the can of Australian lager that came with the Coopers kit. Got it while it was on offer at Tesco (just happened to come on sale when I was looking round at prices )

All cleaned and sanitised as per instructions.

I have used brew enhancer that came with the kit (number one according to the box) and bottled water from Asda. I figured at 17p for 2 litres I might as well use it.

Unfortunately at 23 litres it's still too hot (30 degrees) so I am waiting for it to cool down before I add the yeast.

With the coopers kit there is no airlock and you do not screw the top on. It does come with a krausen collar. I have used this because that is what the booklet said but I don't understand it's purpose.

Will it be OK to draw beer from the tap to check SG as it ferments? I don't want to take the lid off until I have to.

The reviews of this kit seem quite positive and I think I've done what I can to give it the best chance so I'll keep you posted.

Andy

 

[Barticus]

This is my first brew so be gentle with me.

I have used the can of Australian lager that came with the Coopers kit. Got it while it was on offer at Tesco (just happened to come on sale when I was looking round at prices )

All cleaned and sanitised as per instructions.

I have used brew enhancer that came with the kit (number one according to the box) and bottled water from Asda. I figured at 17p for 2 litres I might as well use it.

Unfortunately at 23 litres it's still too hot (30 degrees) so I am waiting for it to cool down before I add the yeast.

With the coopers kit there is no airlock and you do not screw the top on. It does come with a krausen collar. I have used this because that is what the booklet said but I don't understand it's purpose.

Will it be OK to draw beer from the tap to check SG as it ferments? I don't want to take the lid off until I have to.

The reviews of this kit seem quite positive and I think I've done what I can to give it the best chance so I'll keep you posted.

Andy

Hi Andy,

I have the same kit. The purpose of the collar is that after three days, the main part of the ferment will be over and this collar will be covered in muck. At this point you can gently remove it leaving your FV nice and clean.

Might help you to watch the coopers dvd on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1l1oCyCZKo

With regard to the beer, ignore the instructions and let it have 14 days before you take a reading.

 

[daddy day care]

Cheers mate.

I have watched the video but obviously not close enough

It didn't make sense at first because any foam would supposedly fit inside the barrel anyway. Now you mention removing crud it makes sense.

Have you completed a brew with your kit yet? If so, did it taste OK?

Andy

 

[Barticus]

I've done 3 brews so far and I ain't overjoyed no. Only the Woodfordes Wherry is what I would call drinkable.

The rest (coopers aus lager, St. Peters Ruby Red) are currently continuing to condition but after several weeks still taste disgusting.

That said lots of others are making these kits and are very happy with their results.

I would suggest you try and keep the temperature between 18-22, even though the instructions say upto 26.

Too high a fermenting temp can apparently cause off flavours and I brewed my kit at around (24).

Good luck with it.

 

[daddy day care]

Thanks Barticus.

It is still far too warm yet then. I will add the yeast when it down to around 20 and see how it goes. The kit says 21 to 27 degrees but as I understand it lager can ferment at lower temps anyway?

Andy

 

[motomaniac]

i fermented mine in the garage, started it in the house.. for about 1 hr..lol.. then chucked it in the garage and forgot about it.... tastes pretty good, still got 30 pints conditioning, must move them into the garage really....

 

[daddy day care]

Think my garage will be a bit cold at times.

That said, if this turns out well and I get the bug.....

I do have a garage and would be happy converting a fridge into a temperature controlled cabinet :hmm:

Andy

 

[PD]

We bought the same kit first brew was a lager, was drinkable but not brilliant. Was my fault and understood what I did wrong throughout the process, Now onto my unlucky 13th brew and it gets better and better. Especially the bottles that have been in storage for a while so even if your brew fails learn from what you did wrong and persevere. It will come good in the end.
Best Coopers brews I have made are Coopers Dark Ale ( 2 brews) Australian Pale Ale, Coopers Brewmaster IPA ( 2 brews ) all are a joy to drink.
But by far my best ale has been Betterbrews Premium kit of IPA . Have to fight the neighbours of that....

Good luck to you and your brews.

 

[daddy day care]

Think I've made my first mistake already

Do you measure the OG before or after pitching the yeast?

I have just pitched the yeast and then taking the OG reading which I read at 1037.

Still warmer than I would have liked as well. It is saying around 25 degrees but I can't wait any longer for it cool a few more degrees I need to sleep.

Andy

 

[RobWalker]

doesnt matter when you take it providing it's at the start :)

i usually take a sample with the yeast in, and leave it on the side fermenting alongside the main batch, that way you can get a rough idea of how it's doing! you can't taste it though, hahah....

 

[daddy day care]

Thats good. The destructions said pitch the yeast and then the next stage was to take the OG.

Coopers forums said to take the OG first.

No wonder I get confused :?

Andy

 

[motomaniac]

From what I gather, as long as u take it shortly after pitching the yeast, it doesn't matter, as the yeast hasnt had time to start fermenting.

 

[daddy day care]

Does the fermenting start quickly and is it obvious?

I pitched the yeast at about half past ten last night. This morning there is a lighter coloured sediment on the bottom and a small amount of bubbles (I wouldn't go so far as to call it foam) on the surface.

No airlock with this kit so I can't look for bubbles.

Sorry for all the questions but it is over 20 years since I last made any homebrew beer and that was a disaster :cry:

Andy

 

[Barticus]

Does the fermenting start quickly and is it obvious?

I pitched the yeast at about half past ten last night. This morning there is a lighter coloured sediment on the bottom and a small amount of bubbles (I wouldn't go so far as to call it foam) on the surface.

No airlock with this kit so I can't look for bubbles.

Sorry for all the questions but it is over 20 years since I last made any homebrew beer and that was a disaster :cry:

Andy

Could hardly tell on this kit for me but it will be working. Leave it alone and find something else to do for a fortnight.

Maybe have a play with a wow or turbo cider.

 

[daddy day care]

Cheers Barticus.

Turbo cider :hmm: Just so happens that I only pay around 10p a litre for apple juice at work :grin:

Need more equipment already.

Andy

 

[Barticus]

Cheers Barticus.

Turbo cider :hmm: Just so happens that I only pay around 10p a litre for apple juice at work :grin:

Need more equipment already.

Andy

Glass DJ's about £7 a go at Wilkinsons and a great way of taking your mind off your main brew. Lots of Turbo Cider and WOW recipes on here to play with (and keep the wife happy if you have one).

 

[RobWalker]

the sediment is the solids dropping out of your beer, gravity seperates them. it's stuff like malt solids, dead yeast etc. When you transfer to FV or bottles or secondary, you'll leave that big cake behind. totally normal. it's also what marmite is made from.

and STOP FIDDLING! opening it may ruin it if you do it too much, so let it do its work, fermentation usually starts within 48 hours but you don't have a problem until 72 hours. how is the air getting out, a loose lid? if so, that's fine, but make sure it's not sealed completely or it'll go boom.

 

[daddy day care]

Chers Rob.

I'm not fiddling honest

I can see foam forming on top of the wort without taking the lid off now.

Yes it is a loose lid. Well certainly not airtight.

Instructions say to take the krausen collar off after 3 to 4 days so that's the only time the lid will be off.

They also say fermentation will be over in 6 or 7 days. I intend to leave for around 14 days before checking if it's ready for bottling.

Hopefully I'm doing everything right.

I'm filling in my time reading the forum and dreaming about turning the garage into a micro brewery :

I'd better get this one right before I start staggered batches and stockpiling bottles though

Andy

 

[RobWalker]

I believe you

that's all good. good luck with it pal :)

 

[reno223]

Hi Andy,

This was also my first brew (purchased from same place, what a bargain eh £35.00!) I started it on 2nd July and its now all bottled, I made the mistake of only using one carb drop in the 500mm bottles when it should have been 1 1/2 so you will need to get the sugar out! I tried a bottle this week and it tastes something like lager so fingers crossed in a month or two it will be reasonable.

I moved straight to a two can kit "muntons imperial stout" and this is a different ball game altogether, I could actually drink it now and its only been in the fv since Saturday!

Good Luck