Coopers vs Thomas Coopers kits

thisispants · Post by **thisispants** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 2:57 pm

Whats the go here?

Are they pretty much the same thing?

Are they the same company?

And are thomas coopers better then normal coopers because the cover looks classier.

Do i need to change my thinking that you can judge a beer by its cover?

vitalogy · Post by **vitalogy** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 3:32 pm

They're all from Cooper's Brewery, but just different parts of the range (Original, Premium Selection etc).

See here: http://www.coopers.com.au/homebrew/ under "Brew Cans"

Kippo · Post by **Kippo** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 6:45 pm

I am just wondering if anyone has either brewed a Coopers Bitter (original series) or a Thomas Cooper Premium bitter (Premium selection)? Just want to know if there is much a differnce between the two brews.

gregb · Post by **gregb** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 7:32 pm

Massive - the Original Series Bitter is a darkish Ale - a traditional bitter in the English sense. The Premium Series Bitter is a much lighter lager - Australian Bitter. Like VB should be, if they didn't wash mangy dogs in it and bitter with amonia. I'm not sure it is fair to describe it in those terms it is really quite good.

Cheers,
Greg

Kippo · Post by **Kippo** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 7:41 pm

Hmmm thanks greg. Premium Selection Bitter sounds like it will be another project. What type of yeast would you use with it? An ale or Lager yeast? I am using safale yeast with the Original series bitter that is in Primary at the moment, would i use the same for the Premium Selection?

General · Post by **General** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 7:43 pm

I tried the Coopers original Bitter, I drank one stubbie, and gave 59 away (never did see those bottles again), others liked it though.

Kippo · Post by **Kippo** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 7:49 pm

Yeh. Suppose it all comes down to what you are into. However the Premium selection Bitter does sound very inviting.

gregb · Post by **gregb** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 7:52 pm

Kippo,

For the first project run with the kit yeast, the Coopers brewery people have specially blended a yeast for this kit. Second attempt I'd try a Saflager 34/70.

Cheers,
Greg

Kippo · Post by **Kippo** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 7:59 pm

Yeh cheers mate i will do exactly that. So what you are saying is that i should wait until i either have a fridge or until it is winter to brew the Premium selection bitter, as by what i hear you are saying it comes with a lager yeast?

501 · Post by **501** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 8:26 pm

Yeh I made the new bitter with the 1.5kg can of light malt.

I found it quite dark too. ?
dunno if it is the summer 'all malt' brewing or what.

At first I thought it was a bit sweet / thick,
after a month extra it is quite tasty.

definitely prefer the pale ale for summer scoffing.
cheers 501.

pharmaboy · Post by **pharmaboy** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 8:33 pm

definately becomes quite dark the aussie bitter. I have to say though, that to my taste it is actually quite bitter, and not even remotely like VB of course. Quite identifiably coopers I think, mine turned out not dissimilar from CPA at all.

these kits are generally recomended sto be made with all malt, not dex and a little malt like the other ranges, so i sort of expected them to have a little more bitterness to them to balance the recomended ingredients. I'd really love to know what coopers actually does different! Apart from only selling through HBS'

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Wednesday Jan 25, 2006 9:38 pm

I tried a premium kit last year to see what it was all about (Pilsner)

Was pretty good

DOgger

50% Mogman · Post by **50% Mogman** » Thursday Jan 26, 2006 4:15 am

The Thomas Coopers Australian Bitter is a very nice beer.
My beer of choice at the moment.
I made two batches....one with the kit yeast and the other with Safale04.
The Coopers yeast brings out the flavours better.
The next batch I make will definately be done with the supplied yeast and 1.5kg light liquid malt (as per instructions).
Bloody good kit, nine out of ten.

John....