Copers Ipa + (how Much) Brew Enhancer

[icarussound]

I have the Coopers IPA can + the recommended amount of fermentable stuff - "brew enhancer 1.5" (malt extract + dextrose) from my local home brew supply place. I have two bags of this @ 800 g each for a total of 1.6 kg. I am tempted to add both bags to make the IPA more potent. Good idea or totally wacked?!

Oh and I also have one can of Coopers light malt extract (1.5 kg.) Should I use that instead or in addition or for something else? I have one more can of the IPA as well. I have to make beer tonight!!

I just bottled my first ever batch (possibly damaged due to inexperience and a slightly uncoordinated sterilizing process) and am sterilizing my fermenter for the next batch right now.....

!!

Steve

 

[jacknohe]

All the extra malt seems a little much depending what style you're going for. Eg English IPA, American IPA, etc. Were you planning on adding extra hops?

Try running it through ianh's spreadsheet which will give you a good indication according to style.

 

[icarussound]

No extra hops, I have just what I listed. I really am a novice BTW. I prefer a hoppy strong imperial IPA type beer in general. Is 800 g of brew enhancer enough to make a decent IPA do you think? Should I substitute the Coopers light malt extract?

TIA!!!


Steve da novice

 

[mwd]

Suggest you try this recipe from Coopers Website 20Litres.

Coopers IPA

 

[glaab]

I spose you mean BE1, never heard of BE1.5. The 1.5kg can LLME and 800g of BE1 will be ok, that'll give you around 5.7% ABV bottled. I'd boil the BE1 for 5mins if the pack is already open to sterilize it.

 

[RobboMC]

No extra hops, I have just what I listed. I really am a novice BTW. I prefer a hoppy strong imperial IPA type beer in general. Is 800 g of brew enhancer enough to make a decent IPA do you think? Should I substitute the Coopers light malt extract?

TIA!!!


Steve da novice

welcome, you've come to the right place.

Just because a kit can has a name like IPA on the label doesn't mean it makes IPA exactly. Read the fine print and it says that the beer is 'in the style' of IPA. A bit like asking for round tyres for your car. Mostly kits make beer around 4 to 4.5% abv and have enough hop bitterness to balance about 750g of malt.

So: adding the 1.5kg can of malt by itself will result in a malty beer, which sounds like you don't want.

adding more than about 1.2kg of brew enhancer will also result in a malty beer ( however Coopers BE1 doesn't have much malt if any, just dextrose and maltodextrine.

try adding 600g of brew enhancer and 600g of malt ( dry or liquid ) I found this is the way to get the best out of a kit. Don't be fanatical about measuring it, just pour maybe half the can of liquid malt and a bit over half the packet of BE. The liquid can be stored in a tupperware container in the fridge for many months.

to get stronger beer more like the 'true' IPA, just reduce the volume to 18 to 19 litres.

With the gear you've got I'd do this:

Coopers IPA can
750g ( 1.2 can ) LLME
750g brew enhancer

Fill to 18 litres ( abv about 5.5% ) for an authentic strength IPA ( 5-7.5% )

 

[Scruffy]

...don't forget the hops!

 

[bum]

I have the Coopers IPA can + the recommended amount of fermentable stuff - "brew enhancer 1.5" (malt extract + dextrose) from my local home brew supply place. I have two bags of this @ 800 g each for a total of 1.6 kg. I am tempted to add both bags to make the IPA more potent. Good idea or totally wacked?!

Oh and I also have one can of Coopers light malt extract (1.5 kg.) Should I use that instead or in addition or for something else? I have one more can of the IPA as well. I have to make beer tonight!!

I'd either go with IPA goop and the Coopers LME or if you want it really strong the goop, the LME and 1 of the BE1.5s. This kit benefits greatly from the addition of one (or more) of the big English hops but turns out a decent straight kit so long as you get as much malt into it as your desired FG will allow.

 

[icarussound]

OK! Thanks for the help. I decided to go with the BE & the IPA can with less water and I'm dry-hopping it in about 10 days. I have another can of this stuff so once this batch is bottled I'll try some of your other ideas!

After that I guess I'll try doing a boiled batch and shoot for a real IPA - hoppy, strong and delicious like my favorite beer Dogfish head 60 minute IPA.

 

[bum]

After that I guess I'll try doing a boiled batch and shoot for a real IPA - hoppy, strong and delicious like my favorite beer Dogfish head 60 minute IPA.

Go straight to this idea next. You can still use the stuff you have and do a hop boil without making it all that much more complicated - just takes a bit longer to put together is all.

This tin with a bunch of Fuggles and some carared is the kit beer I've been happiest with so far

 

[Pennywise]

Just my 2c, I find Chinook to be a great hop when doing IPA kits, just dry hop about 5 days in with 30g or so. I am partail with the Chinook though so maybe that much might not be your thing

 

[krusty_oz]

Suggest you try this recipe from Coopers Website 20Litres.

Coopers IPA

I did this one but didn't add dextrose. Fermented around 20C and dry hopped about 12g of Cascade after a few days (can't find my notes to be exact). Its been in the bottle for about 8 weeks and it smells and tastes great (assuming you like hoppy beer).

Watch out! It forms a head like a coke spider if it is poured too quick and it will go warm if you wait for it to settle.