Corona Clone With Flavour

[petesbrew]

I too am looking to make a corona for the masses for xmas this weekend.

Given it is only my 3rd brew you have inspired me to venture away from just the standard recipe.

I have the same Coopers cerveza mix, BE2, think i will add the extra 200g of dex as you have done. Would this just increase the alcohol content slightly or is it for flavour?

In regards to the limes? Do you find it adds the effect of putting in a lime in the stubby when drinking? or is it very subtle note?

I think I will stay away from the hops, just not confident enough to take this on as well yet. Tempted to try the US05 yeast though instead of the kit yeast though.

I've got a corona kit on standby, but I'm just waiting for my lime tree to start producing this summer's crop.

The dex will just add a bit more alcohol, nothing in the way of flavour.
The US05 yeast will be a definite improvement over the kit yeast - just make sure you try to keep your temperature down to the very low 20c's or 18c if you can.

No confidence needed with the dry hopping! A hop teabag is perfect for a beginner, you just throw it straight into the fermenter - easy as.
Cascade (or saaz) should be a good one to go for, but I'm sure there's others that will go in a corona.
Good luck Giant.

edit: having said that, I'd suggest going with either the lime OR hop addition - just so you can pinpoint the changes with which flavour you've added.

 

[Bribie G]

I too am looking to make a corona for the masses for xmas this weekend.

Given it is only my 3rd brew you have inspired me to venture away from just the standard recipe.

I have the same Coopers cerveza mix, BE2, think i will add the extra 200g of dex as you have done. Would this just increase the alcohol content slightly or is it for flavour?

In regards to the limes? Do you find it adds the effect of putting in a lime in the stubby when drinking? or is it very subtle note?

I think I will stay away from the hops, just not confident enough to take this on as well yet. Tempted to try the US05 yeast though instead of the kit yeast though.

If you'd like a bit of hop aroma you can get hop 'teabags' from your LHBS, just simmer one in hot water for ten minutes and tip the whole lot in the fermenter. It just floats around releasing a subtle touch of hoppyness and you fish it out at bottling time

 

[Bubba]

I too am looking to make a corona for the masses for xmas this weekend.

Given it is only my 3rd brew you have inspired me to venture away from just the standard recipe.

I have the same Coopers cerveza mix, BE2, think i will add the extra 200g of dex as you have done. Would this just increase the alcohol content slightly or is it for flavour?

In regards to the limes? Do you find it adds the effect of putting in a lime in the stubby when drinking? or is it very subtle note?

I think I will stay away from the hops, just not confident enough to take this on as well yet. Tempted to try the US05 yeast though instead of the kit yeast though.

The dex was just to kift the alc volume a little, thats all.
I too was going to use US05, and next time I will...just wanted to do a cheapa nd simple attempt first time around and with US05 will probably get an even more cleaner finish and higher attenuations.
Don't be scared of hops, dry hop a handfull or use finish hop tea bags, they are so easy to use if you don't feel up to a boil.
The limes were great, very subtle flavour, tasted like the wedge in the bottle and a very clean and light citrus finish, I wouldnt use more than 2 small limes as it would be too much...you want it subtle and to not overpower the cleaness of this type of brew.

 

[The Giant]

The dex was just to kift the alc volume a little, thats all.
I too was going to use US05, and next time I will...just wanted to do a cheapa nd simple attempt first time around and with US05 will probably get an even more cleaner finish and higher attenuations.
Don't be scared of hops, dry hop a handfull or use finish hop tea bags, they are so easy to use if you don't feel up to a boil.
The limes were great, very subtle flavour, tasted like the wedge in the bottle and a very clean and light citrus finish, I wouldnt use more than 2 small limes as it would be too much...you want it subtle and to not overpower the cleaness of this type of brew.

Dry hop?

Do I chuck the hops in the fermenter with everything else for the whole fermentation? Or do I boil them up in some water, remove and then add that water to the fermenter and do everything else as per normal?

 

[Bubba]

Dry hop?

Do I chuck the hops in the fermenter with everything else for the whole fermentation? Or do I boil them up in some water, remove and then add that water to the fermenter and do everything else as per normal?

Dry hops, just chuck them into the fermenter loose, or put them into a stocking or hop sock...more for aroma, a little flavour and no added bitterness as it is not added via a boil, you dont want this to be a bitter beer but want to have subtle flavouorsd and aroma. I have dry hopped loose into the fermenter before and it settles into the trub and doesnt come out throught the tap, or alternatively if you are worried you can put a boiled bit of stocking over your tap as you bottle/keg. Again I have done this as well but find it is not necessary if you let your bre settle nicely, or use a hops sock.

 

[The Giant]

Dry hops, just chuck them into the fermenter loose, or put them into a stocking or hop sock...more for aroma, a little flavour and no added bitterness as it is not added via a boil, you dont want this to be a bitter beer but want to have subtle flavouorsd and aroma. I have dry hopped loose into the fermenter before and it settles into the trub and doesnt come out throught the tap, or alternatively if you are worried you can put a boiled bit of stocking over your tap as you bottle/keg. Again I have done this as well but find it is not necessary if you let your bre settle nicely, or use a hops sock.

Thanks mate

Do I do this before I pitch the yeast? and close her up as per normal

Been trying to find some more info about it and some people say add after 4-5 days?

 

[petesbrew]

Thanks mate

Do I do this before I pitch the yeast? and close her up as per normal

Been trying to find some more info about it and some people say add after 4-5 days?

You can add it after 4-5 days and it'll make the hop flavour a bit "fresher", but it's up to you when you want to put it in.
edit: just in case you don't know, just throw the whole teabag in... don't open it.