Help Needed

[Peter1959]

Howdy all,

Another past brewer returning to the fold. Thought that all you "seasoned" brewers might be able to assit with my "virgin" brew. I have a Coopers Lager kit, and a Coopers Canadian Blonde kit as starters. Any help with additives to make a easy drinker out of these?? Something not too hoppy.

Considered the two cans together(have done that before) but the minister for finance says it would be too strong for her.

Cheers Peter

[gregb]

Peter,

Welcome. The two cans together and no other additives in a 23L batch is a very simple way to make a fine brew.

It shouldn't come out too strong. With just the two cans it would give a start gravity (OG) of about 1045 with both the yeast sachets (or get a sachet of US-05 from your local home brew shop (HBS)) the finishing gravity (FG) would be in the vicinity of 1010. Alcohol content would be a fairly standard full strength beer - 5% ish.

Cheers,
Greg

[Bizier]

"Simple things that make HB better" http://homebrewandbeer.com/forum/viewto ... f=2&t=1966

My suggestions:
Start by replacing sugars with malt extract, and perhaps use 1/4 dextrose if you dislike heavy beer.
Throw out the coopers yeast and grab something like a US05 yeast and try to ferment at about 18 degrees.
Maybe grab some more subtle hops like styrian goldings or hersbruker and boil for 15 mins with some malt, cool and add to brew.

I dislike the hop taste from the kit, so I advise against the two can brew, but that is personal preference.

I am new, but currently brewing beer that both I and friends are happy drinking.
Dan

[drsmurto]

There is nothing subtle about styrian goldings..... or my use of them

[Bizier]

I was referring to low alpha hops as to not be overwhelming and to not need finely controlled measurement.

If Peter decides he likes the flavour, then he can check your TTL clone.

[Peter1959]

Thanks guys,

Didnt expect four replys that quick.

I have been reading about "racking" and how to prime the wort as opposed to the bottles, is this a better way or does it have its own problems. Anyone got a basic recipe using the Coopers Lager or Canadian Blonde that is an "easy drinker"



Peter

[drtom]

Racking is one of those things about which reasonable people vary. There is an increased risk of infection, and an increased risk of oxidation damage. Both these this are *risks* not certainties, and for my own part, I've racked almost all of the 28 brews I've done so far, and have not had an infected brew (some infected bottles, yes[*], but infected brews, no). One of these days I'll deliberately try to oxidize half a brew on racking so I can compare it to the unoxidized half, and then maybe I'll know what oxidized beer tastes like....

I think you'll find (okay, so now I'll be proven wrong) that there is a stronger consensus in favour of bulk priming. It makes it easier to bottle into multiple sizes of bottle (e.g. some longies, some stubbies, or 500ml bottles, &c), and it makes it much easier to tailor the carbonation for the style.

T.
[*] All my beer is stored in wooden boxes on Ikea shelving, so of course it would be a couple of bottles on the top shelf that break and dribble beer and broken glass down through all the rest of it.