Coopers Tin Brews experimented with?

[13.jb.13]

Ive been brewing for a little while now, made my own keg fridge and all that. Im just using the Coopers Larger and was thinking about playing around with some of the brews, not really sure what, maybe adding honey or something but just mucking around. Has anyone done this before? Any tips?

Thanks

 

[Bribie G]

No, on no account should you deviate from the kit instructions.






For a really simple thing, instead of adding the kilo of sugar just use two tins of LaGer and one of the yeasts as it will froth alarmingly. Very nice brew.

Welcome to the slippery slope.

 

[Drewski]

Honey is a difficult one i have found it does not add a lot of flavor, depends when and how you add it apparently. Some say during ferment to get the flavor. Might be best to look at a grain steep first with some crystal to see what that brings to the party.

 

[RelaxedBrewer]

Lots of people do it all the time. Try steeping some specialty grains and/or making a hop tea. Lots of different ways you can improve a standard kit.

P.S I assume you are not using 1 kilo of sugar with the kit.

 

[mattdean4130]

I've had some success with honey substitutions. It did seem to add some residual honey flavours.
All in all, i didn't find it interesting enough to justify the added cost compared to dextrose or light dry malt...

Hop additions on another hand, are pretty cheap and will give you some really good results! Easiest way to improve a kit beer!

Have you only brewed the lager kit? Try a bunch of different ones! That's the fun. Then you'll end up with a cupboard full of different beer styles, to suit any mood! Sounds like a commercial doesn't it! :chug:

 

[Droopy]

Have done a honey beer - was fantastic - is now on my "regulars" list! Guests love it - in fact, far too much for my happiness!

I use 500g of honey in a wheat beer, leaves a nice hint of honey flavour while not overpowering the malt / yeast / hops flavours.

 

[Drewski]

Have done a honey beer - was fantastic - is now on my "regulars" list! Guests love it - in fact, far too much for my happiness!

I use 500g of honey in a wheat beer, leaves a nice hint of honey flavour while not overpowering the malt / yeast / hops flavours.

Hey droopy, are you just dumping it into the wert, boiling it or?

 

[Josho]

hey Bribes,

can you reccomend me any other straight 2 can brews that will mkae me happy?

 

[Bridges]

Depends what you like, coopers pale ale can, box BE2, and a box LDME (500g) and 40gm cascade hops will turn out a nice pale ale.
Boil 4 litres of water with 400gm of dried malt add 20gm cascade start timer 15 minutes. At 5 minutes left add 20gms more cascade. When the timer tells you its time to stop let sit for a minute then strain into fermenter. Add can, be2, and the rest of the malt, mix, top up to about 21litres, check temp, sprinkle us-05 yeast.
Ferm etc as usual

Hops, yeast, and ferm temp as has been best advice I got from this forum when starting improved my beers no end.
Most of all enjoy!!

 

[Droopy]

Hey droopy, are you just dumping it into the wert, boiling it or?

G'day Drewski,
I just heat and mix the honey into the wort... Gives a little more fuel for your yeast, and so gives about another 10 points on your OG... Perfection!
Cheers,
Droopy

 

[mattdean4130]

Depends what you like, coopers pale ale can, box BE2, and a box LDME (500g) and 40gm cascade hops will turn out a nice pale ale.
Boil 4 litres of water with 400gm of dried malt add 20gm cascade start timer 15 minutes. At 5 minutes left add 20gms more cascade. When the timer tells you its time to stop let sit for a minute then strain into fermenter. Add can, be2, and the rest of the malt, mix, top up to about 21litres, check temp, sprinkle us-05 yeast.
Ferm etc as usual

Hops, yeast, and ferm temp as has been best advice I got from this forum when starting improved my beers no end.
Most of all enjoy!!

I'll be sure to give this one a go, sounds good! Thanks!

 

[jared23]

what about using both cooperslager and a cooper draught in as the wort, or is that just wrong? im just finishing my first batches and also looking to explore within the beer kits, extracts and dry malts

 

[Mace]

250 ml tin of treacle added to coopers brown ale works a treat.

A mate primes his coopers lager with 5ml of honey, tastes ok to me, but haven't compared side to side with normal drops.