One kit down, what should I try next?

[hapitan]

Hey all,

I've just finished my (very, very simple) first beer brew. It was a Coopers Pale Ale kit, mixed with water - no boil.

It brewed fine, finished with a gravity of about 1010 (I hope this was right?), and has gone into bottles where it will remain for the next month.

However, I want to get another brew underway and I'd like to step it up a bit this time.

I'm not sure if I can stay with no-boil, but it'd be ideal if I could. I'm hoping to eventually go into BIAB, but I don't have the equipment yet.

What would you recommend? I'd like to keep it as simple as possible, because I'm in an apartment and I'm moving soon, so the fermentation has to be less complete in less than a fortnight.

P.S - Love this place. Huge amount of knowledge here. I've made a few comments but this is my first thread!

 

[TheBlackAdder]

Did you use any brewing sugar with your kit? If so, what type?

Using DME or a brew-booster will improve the beer and is an easy step

You could also steep some grain in ~3-5L of water then boil with hops for 10-15 mins. No need to buy any equipment then

Most HBS stores have some good kits and bits recipes at a reasonable price with all the extra grain hops etc.

Hope you enjoy the brew

 

[Lord Raja Goomba I]

I'm not sure if I can stay with no-boil, but it'd be ideal if I could. I'm hoping to eventually go into BIAB, but I don't have the equipment yet.

What would you recommend? I'd like to keep it as simple as possible, because I'm in an apartment and I'm moving soon, so the fermentation has to be less complete in less than a fortnight.

P.S - Love this place. Huge amount of knowledge here. I've made a few comments but this is my first thread!

Great place, this!

As another option, if you want to step up to BIAB - have a look at the 2 pot stovetop method with AG lauter thread under the partials forum. It's pretty apartment friendly, as it requires minimal equipment (room) and can be done on the stove (so no extra space required).

As for kits - Mangrove Jacks are among the better ones. You might try a fresh wort kit too.

 

[Diggs]

Great place, this!

As another option, if you want to step up to BIAB - have a look at the 2 pot stovetop method with AG lauter thread

Saw the buckets at Bunnings (black ones) for $5.something on the weekend.

 

[panzerd18]

I have my first batch conditioning now.

I tasted the beer right after fermentation and it wasn't that nice.

Now after nearly two weeks of bottle conditioning, the beer has really started to mellow out and is very different.

So bottle conditioning definitely works.

 

[Lord Raja Goomba I]

Saw the buckets at Bunnings (black ones) for $5.something on the weekend.

Ooh, sweet. Hopefully that holds for when I get back up to Brissie. I bought them for $9 here but stuff is more expensive in Tas at times.

Still trying to talk the Mrs into letting me take my Big W pots - just for nostalgia sake.

 

[hapitan]

Did you use any brewing sugar with your kit? If so, what type?

Using DME or a brew-booster will improve the beer and is an easy step

You could also steep some grain in ~3-5L of water then boil with hops for 10-15 mins. No need to buy any equipment then

Most HBS stores have some good kits and bits recipes at a reasonable price with all the extra grain hops etc.

Hope you enjoy the brew

I used Coopers Brew Enhancer #2. Forgot to mention that! It really was just like making a packet cake (which I had no problem with!)

As for steeping grain, any good links on that?

I have a 4L pot already, so that sounds like a fairly attractive option. I assume I'd have a kit, but then add in some specialty grains/hops to change the flavours a bit?

EDIT: Ideally, I'd like to get a Goldeny Ale. Not sure how possible that would be without starting from scratch.

Great place, this!

As another option, if you want to step up to BIAB - have a look at the 2 pot stovetop method with AG lauter thread under the partials forum. It's pretty apartment friendly, as it requires minimal equipment (room) and can be done on the stove (so no extra space required).

As for kits - Mangrove Jacks are among the better ones. You might try a fresh wort kit too.

Will do! Thanks. Though if I do BIAB, I'll probably buy a big and cheap 38-40L stock pot from eBay and use a simple gas bottle burner. Seems okay to get started with. I can do it outside on the balcony.

I'll check out the Mangrove Jacks too. Heard good things.

I have my first batch conditioning now.

I tasted the beer right after fermentation and it wasn't that nice.

Now after nearly two weeks of bottle conditioning, the beer has really started to mellow out and is very different.

So bottle conditioning definitely works.

Oh good to hear! My housemate quite liked the beer-taste straight from the fermenter, so if it gets better I'll be even happier.

 

[Lord Raja Goomba I]

Here's the thread, in case you're interested. A bit of self-promotion, but for some a decent enough step to place with AG, without shelling out lots.

http://aussiehomebrewer.com/topic/60922-2-pot-stovetop-ag-with-lauter

 

[Hoppers]

I can recommend Dr.Smurtos golden ale - have a look in the recipe section, Turns out great. Uses Coopers Sparkling Ale and a wheat malt from memory (its been a while)

Coopers Pale Ale is also a great drop

Seek out your local HBS too, and grab some 20L boil pots from Big W

 

[hapitan]

I can recommend Dr.Smurtos golden ale - have a look in the recipe section, Turns out great. Uses Coopers Sparkling Ale and a wheat malt from memory (its been a while)

Coopers Pale Ale is also a great drop

Seek out your local HBS too, and grab some 20L boil pots from Big W

That looks like an excellent suggestion.

I assume this is the receipe - how would I go about it?

I get confused following it. Is it as simple as just chucking it all in a pot and boiling? That doesn't sound quite right.

 

[manticle]

Wait till you move. You can't rely on the beer being ready in a fortnight, especially not as a beginner.

 

[maaark]

This recipe might be worth checking out too mate.

http://coopers.com.au/#/diy-beer/beer-recipes/ale/detail/golden-ale-recipe-pack-23-litres/

It will be a great example of how spec grains & yeast plus some extra hops can make a completely different beer using the same can. Plus using all malt instead of BE2 will have a great effect on the end result. Your local home brew shop should be able to hook you up no problem.

But I agree with Manticle - wait until you move just to be safe.

 

[indica86]

Coopers website is GREAT for beginner recipes. Fab way to learn and to step things up in terms of complexity.

 

[Blind Dog]

That looks like an excellent suggestion.
I assume this is the receipe - how would I go about it?
I get confused following it. Is it as simple as just chucking it all in a pot and boiling? That doesn't sound quite right.

There's a thread in Kits and Extracts (actually probably more than one). I can't link at present, but if you search 'smurto golden ale extract' you'll find it (them) pretty quick. IIRC there are decent instructions plus a version with no steeping grains if you want it as simple as possible. You will probably need to boil though

As Manticle said, 2 weeks from start to finish is pushing it if that's your drop dead date to move

 

[Blind Dog]

Or try a fresh wort kit from your LHBS. They are a little more expensive, won't teach you much, but should be quick and easy

 

[menoetes]

Just to keep it simple, try replacing the kilo of Brew Enhancer 2 with a kilo of Light Dry Malt Extract in your next brew. The difference between the your first beer and your next will be remarkable. Maybe even get a Cascade hop teabag from your Local Homebrew Shop and steep it in 500mls of hot water from the kettle for ten minutes before adding it to the fermenter.

Just two easy little things that will improve your beer tenfold and get you started down the slippery-slope

 

[Diggs]

Ooh, sweet. Hopefully that holds for when I get back up to Brissie. I bought them for $9 here but stuff is more expensive in Tas at times..

$5.98 to be precise, bought 2 and a tap and made my $14 lauter tonight.

 

[menoetes]

Dammit, I'm sure I payed twice that when I bought them 3 months ago

 

[DU99]

Read up on this post explain more about Dr smurto

 

[Lord Raja Goomba I]

Cheaper lauter than mine.

Keeping the frugality of ghetto FTW.