Hi Guys
Quick question, inherited a coopers lager kt from a friend, must be pretty old cause it went out of date this time last year! can i assume if i just change the yeast it should be OK? tins last forever don't they? kinda
Also gonna pimp it with a kg of spraymalt, any idea what these larger kits come out at % wise? was hoping for something around 5% will i need to add more sugar to achieve this?
And last but not least i remembered i have some hops in the freezer, but then realised ive had them in there for quite a long time, looked back at when i ordered them, seems to be 2008! im guessing its safe to assume i should throw these out?
Gonna smash this together tomorrow so your responses will be helpful cheers!
oh infact one more thing, should i prime lager more than my usual brews? i usually use 2ltr PET bottles
Out of Date lager kit
Out of Date lager kit
Last edited by Chill on Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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sparky Paul
Re: Out of Date larger kit
The kit will be fine with a new yeast, you are normally looking at 4-4½% when making the kit as per the instructions. If you go for a kilo of spraymalt and 500g of sugar, you should get nearer the 5% you are looking for.
Hops seem to last surprisingly long in the freezer, but lose aroma with age. If they smell okay, they will probably be of some use, but if they smell cheesey at all, bin them. If you are hoping to add hop flavour and aroma, using a few more than normal won't hurt if the hops are old but still okay. If you do go for the extra fermentables, it will benefit from the added hops.
I prime lagers at 4 tsp per 2L PET bottle, but they tend to be very lively at room temperature. Put them in the fridge for 24hrs and decant into a serving jug in one go before guzzling.
Hops seem to last surprisingly long in the freezer, but lose aroma with age. If they smell okay, they will probably be of some use, but if they smell cheesey at all, bin them. If you are hoping to add hop flavour and aroma, using a few more than normal won't hurt if the hops are old but still okay. If you do go for the extra fermentables, it will benefit from the added hops.
I prime lagers at 4 tsp per 2L PET bottle, but they tend to be very lively at room temperature. Put them in the fridge for 24hrs and decant into a serving jug in one go before guzzling.
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Wolfy
Re: Out of Date larger kit
As long as the can is not distorted, out of shape or dented it should be fine to use, just don't expect a spectacular result. 
Replace the yeast with something fresh and you should be good to go.
Replace the yeast with something fresh and you should be good to go.
Re: Out of Date larger kit
Ahh boo, there is one reasonable sized dent in the can (bout an 1.5 inch indent) in the side of the can, this gonna mess things up?
Also the hops i have are fuggles and challeneger are either of these suited to a larger?
and last thing would it be worth getting a lager yeast and fermenting i at a lower temp? if its gonna be crap anyway might aswell throw in some ale yeast and watch it go mental!
Cheers
Chill
Also the hops i have are fuggles and challeneger are either of these suited to a larger?
and last thing would it be worth getting a lager yeast and fermenting i at a lower temp? if its gonna be crap anyway might aswell throw in some ale yeast and watch it go mental!
Cheers
Chill
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sparky Paul
Re: Out of Date larger kit
Once you have emptied the can, check the inside for corrosion. The inside of the steel can is sealed with a laquer coating, and if this is broken, rust can set in. I wouldn't recommend using if any corrosion is evident, while it's very unlikely that anything particularly nasty would grow in the extract, it may well be tainted.Chill wrote:Ahh boo, there is one reasonable sized dent in the can (bout an 1.5 inch indent) in the side of the can, this gonna mess things up?
Fuggle and Challenger are both ale type hops, but out of the two, I would go for Challenger in a light beer.
I would just stick to an ale yeast like Safale this time, unless you are feeling particularly adventurous.