Coopers kit problems

[tomandrichard]

I returned to home brewing this summer after a gap of several years. Made a Brewferm kit, no problems, and then acquired a selection of Coopers kits. I have had the same problem 3 times. I followed the quantities and rules specified, including adding malts where recommended. The first brew (Heritage lager) fermented out to below 1010 SG in about 3 days, so fast that I missed the opportunity to bottle while there was still any life in it. The second brew (Mexican Cerveza) also took a ridiculously short 3 days, and went into a pressure barrel at about 1012 SG - not much life. There's a bit of pressure developing 2 weeks later - enough to push out about a quarter pint - but I suspect I've lost this one as well.

Not to be caught out again, I put the third brew, the "REAL ALE" into a pressure barrel after 2 or 3 days when it had reached 1020SG - not too happy about it, but assuming the release valve will let out any excess CO2. Although still bubbling, there was not as much as I would have expected at this SG. This has been in barrel about a week. Pressure seems very good when drawing a small sample.

Both the cerveza and the real ale still very murky, although that's probably normal after just 2 and 1 weeks respectively.

I can't understand why the primary fermentation seems to end so quickly. Any thoughts very welcome.

I still have a couple of Coopers kits (European Lager and IPA), but I think I will move onto premium kits such as Woodforde's in future.

[Ditch]

What temperatures are ye fermenting at there, mate?

[tomandrichard]

Hi

I initially reduced the first brew to whatever temp it said on the instruction leaflet. After that, it was a case of room temperature (kitchen). It's been very warm and muggy in London over the course of June/early July. I wondered if that was a possible problem. But still seems strange not to have a reasonably vigorous ferment at 1020?

[Bryggmester]

Rather than bottle/keg while the brew has still some way to go (1020) it would be better to let it ferment out properly and then barrel with a suitable amount of priming. That way you will get a much better pint and the brew will clear that much quicker.

[Mogwyth]

It's the first time I have seen Coopers and problem in the same sentence and I would say if you can't get decent pint out of Coopers, you are going to really struggle with woodefords which can be troublesome.

You said "........that I missed the opportunity to bottle while there was still any life in it." but there should not be any life left in it, your brew needs to ferment out completely before kegging or bottling, some will leave thier's up to 14 days before doing so, me I wait until I have 2-3 days consistent fg. The priming sugars you add to the brew when bottling/kegging will then kick it back into life and add the fizz.

Cheers

Bill

[tomandrichard]

Thanks everyone for pointing out the basic error!

As both of the barrels were primed, fingers crossed, I'll get something drinkable in a few weeks.

Bill - I noticed you have made Coopers European lager - did you find any of the Coopers Brew Enhancer? I was thinking of using Munton's if I can't get any Coopers. I would also be really interested to hear how you get on with the framboise - I'm very fond of the Belgian fruit beers.

[AlexCricket]

Another problem that you may encounter is that Larger's don't tend to like being kept in Kegs as these don't tend to be able to maintain the high amount of pressure required for a fizzy lager - better to bottle condition.

[EoinMag]

Don't bother with BKE, just buy some Spraymalt and some glucose and add those in appropriate amounts, that's all the BKE is anyway.

[trucker5774]

I have done 2 coopers kits this year. A wheat beer and a cerveza...............they both just tasted like homebrew lager, nothing to sing about I have heard so much about how they are so good it was a bit of a let down. Having said that I will try a "none lager" kit and give it another go

[Ditch]

Trucker; I don't drink Wheat Beers or Lagers, as a rule. That's why ye'll never see me comment on Coopers more ~ to me ~ off the wall stuff. But, as ye now going to try one of their darker brews, I hope ye pleasantly rewarded as just about everyone else is.

I see ye doing an AG Guinness there? Very interesting. I wonder how you'd feel about Coopers Stout. I don't wish ye to compare it to Guinness. It's not Guinness and never will be. They're not in competition. But, as a fellow man who likes Stout, I'd be interested to hear what ye think of the taste of Coopers ..... if, as and when ye ever decide to try one out, that is

[trucker5774]

Trucker; I don't drink Wheat Beers or Lagers, as a rule. That's why ye'll never see me comment on Coopers more ~ to me ~ off the wall stuff. But, as ye now going to try one of their darker brews, I hope ye pleasantly rewarded as just about everyone else is.

I see ye doing an AG Guinness there? Very interesting. I wonder how you'd feel about Coopers Stout. I don't wish ye to compare it to Guinness. It's not Guinness and never will be. They're not in competition. But, as a fellow man who likes Stout, I'd be interested to hear what ye think of the taste of Coopers ..... if, as and when ye ever decide to try one out, that is

Yo Ditch!

I'm well aware of your stout fetish, having spent a while on the forum. I have been inspired by your passion for it and it is deffinately on the list. Talking of dark beers, I did an extract Old Peculiar which is as close to the real thing as I have tasted.

I have so much to try. I'm determined to come up with a "house bitter" and brew as many "other" types (like guinness) as I can.