Coopers sparkling ale

[Manx Guy]

Hi!

My plan is to let this brew condition in a pressure keg for 10-14 days prior to bottling then let it bottle condition for 2 weeks before trying one... I hope my patience is rewarded!
I've been told that this brew should improve upto 3 months and keep for a while after that... assuming it doesn't get drunk first (like my Coopers APA) lol


If the recultured yeast proves to be a success I'll use the method to make some more APA with the addition of some aroma hops....

I'll keep the thread updated...

Slainte!

[yoshimitsu]

another update:

Mixed the kit up last Monday night and bottled it up last night - i used the remaining Burton Bridge Beer enhancer, which i used instead of the LDM and Dextrose as in the receipe, to prime the bottles. I also used a little bottler for the first time and i dont know whether it was this or the enhancer, or somethng else, which caused the beer to foam up a fair bit during bottling, so i had to go back and refill after settling.

So, got the bottles in a crate of warm water (with my new aquarium heater) for secondary fermantation - just a few weeks to wait now till tasting.

Cant wait

Yoshi

[Manx Guy]

Hi all,

My sparkling ale looks great at the mo, however as the foam had subsided I decided to take a SG reading...
It was 1038 from 1060...
I'm now concerned that it might not hit target.... I planned to do a 10 day Primary then keg condition for10-14 days...

Should I rouse the yeast be giving it a gentle swirl?

Or should I leave it be and take another SG reading at 7 days

If it doesn't hit 1010 by 10 days what then? pitch more yeast?

Any suggestions from people with experience of this kit most welcome, or anyone able to offer some experience based advice...

Hopefully I'm worried about nothing...

MAny thanks in advance!


Guy

[verno]

I have had to rouse a couple of kits but never with Coopers and have now done about 4-5 of them. I always add about a teaspoon of yeast vit in mine and generally after about 4-5 days my coopers kits are done.

However I have never had a SG of 1060 on a coopers (about 1040 is my highest) and as a result it would theoretically take longer for the same amount of yeast to ferment more sugars. I wouldn't worry at this stage, I have had kits in primary for 14 days without an issue.

I suggest leaving it 2-3 days and then seeing where it is. If it is unchanged then a gentle stir, some yeast vit if you have it are the next steps. Then finally more yeast. It should probably be the same yeast if possible or you might get different tastes.

I caveat this with the fact I am no expert and have only done about 8 kits.

[Manx Guy]

Thanks Verno!

You have reassured me somewhat...

I am using yeast recultured from the commercially available Coopers Sparkling ale, that is why I'm concerned.. My 2 previous Coopers kits have hit target in 5-7 days... I did this as several people and a posting on a coopers users site in Australia recommended the practice to improve the flavour...

I expected this to take a little longer 10 days or so...

I will take another SG reading tommorrow (Friday-day8) and see where we are at...
I'll keep the thread updated...
Many thanks!

[Normski]

Just an update on my Coopers Sparkling Ale. I used all of the recomended fermentables. OG very high 1062. FG 1015. Tasted some when early and it was very strong and cloudy. I recently had a bottle of the real Coopers Sparkling Ale and was surprised how close mine was to it, even the bottles can be served cloudy.
I had mine in a keg but it wasnt clearing, so bottled it all, adding a Coopers Carb drop to each bottle. Mine has now been conditioning for about 5 weeks. Tried a bottle last night and its nice an bright and the taste's so close to my memory of the bottle. Its still a strong drink tho, not a session ale.
Would I make it again? Even tho its turned out well. Probaly worked out as the most expensive brew i've made. Glad I made it, but make it again?. well I'll decide when the last bottle has been supped.

[Manx Guy]

Just a quick update...
took another SG reading and I'm pleased to report that the SG has dropped to 1028 in approx 48 hours...
Its obviously a big task for the yeast to convert all those fermentables to alcohol....

So I should be able to transfer it into a pressure barrell in the next few days for a 14 day conditioning period...

Panic over

[Normski]

Hi Manx Guy
I kegged mine and it would not clear. So I primed and bottled it and it fell bright an clear in about a week.

[Manx Guy]

Hi,

thanks for the input.... I'd read elsewhere (on this forum) that kegging for 10-14 days prior to bottling helps to condition the beer and remove 'harsh' flavours that otherwise may get trapped in the bottle...

It'll be the first time I'm going to try this, so I guess I'll see... I've bottled my two previous brews (both coopers kits) and they dropped bright in 2-3 days in the grolsch 450ml bottles I use
My plan is to bottle this brew after 10-14 days in the cask....
then at least another 2-4 weeks in the bottles before trying some...


Slainte!

[tarmacsurfer2000]

Hello all, sorry to intrude (first time post on here..) I have this kit conditioning in a barrel and is has been in there foer about 6 weeks now. It is still cloudy, but is slowly improving, the reading on the Hydro is about 1012 (difficult to tell because of the bubbles even after spinning it...) but it tastes really sweet to me!?! I did it as per the instructions and primed with 80g of normal sugar (as I normally do)... as far as I can tell it has fermented out properly so why does it taste so sweet? I'm baffled??? There aren't any sweetners in this kit are there? Should I transfer back to the FV and pitch some more yeast to try to see if it is the fermentables giving the sweetness?

Any help/advice greatly apreciated!

[Manx Guy]

Hi,
FWIW mine is sweet too its at 1014 after 5 days conditioning in the PB...
I think it may be down to dextrins and other non fermentables...
Anyone else got any thoughts

[tarmacsurfer2000]

I am at the point of chucking this as it really is undrinkable as it is!?! Checked it again from the barrel and its 1012 for sure! Super super sweet! Have Coopers naffed up a batch?? Is it worth an email to them?

Cheers all

[Normski]

I am at the point of chucking this as it really is undrinkable as it is!?! Checked it again from the barrel and its 1012 for sure! Super super sweet! Have Coopers naffed up a batch?? Is it worth an email to them?

Cheers all

Hi tarmacsurfer

What fermentables did you use. Im not sugesting you've made a mistake, it's just to compare to mine. Coopers do recomend a load. give us the full list of ingredients and maybe someone will spot something. I made mine as per the coopers site and it tastes good, not over sweet and bloddy strong.

[tarmacsurfer2000]

No worries, I used

The tin (obviously) of Sparkling Ale
1 tin of 1.5kg light LME (Coopers own)
300g of brewing sugar
500g of dried light spraymalt... phew it still sounds a lot!

Cheers

[Manx Guy]

Hmmm...

I added about the same amount of fermentables (maybe more) and although mine is on the sweet side it is getting drier and I would say its drinkable...

It also does have a certain hopiness which i'm sure will develop...maybe eventually balancing the beer nicely...

Obviously its down to preference... I would still say its a bit early to be chucking it down the drain tho'...

Have you considered bottling the brew? an leaving it for a good few (4-6)weeks, also leaving your PB free for something else?

BTW: how is your IPA you made up?
I have one lined up, so I'd be interested to hear how yours worked out...


Slainte!