Tasteless lager kit

[jason123]

Hi Guys

I'm new to the forum so Hi to everyone.

I've just done a coopers lager kit and it's turned out in the barrel to have fairly watery taste, plenty of preesure in the barrel and foams nicely when it's poured. I only used normal household sugar but I've used normal sugar before in beers and they haven't been bad.
Now that I've got a barrel full of lager without much enthusiasm to drink it, is there anyway of improving it or as It is still very young will it get better with age.

Thanks for the help

Jase

[Lillywhite]

How long has it been in the keg?

[randomdave]

I did a coopers kit. My opinion of it was it had a watery taste and a cidery edge. I assumed it was cos id started on em early (I bottled mine)

From the things i have read there are a few things to do to improve flavour. you can use spraymalt in place of sugar. You can also add hops to it to give it a bit more body.

I havent tried either of those yet. ive done 2x 1 can kits an my 3rd is a 2 can kit.
If the 2 can kit doesnt improve on flavour im gunna try 1 can kits with spraymalt.

[jonohanson]

One thing to note with kits is when your making it up make sure all the extract is mixed, put the FV on its side a bit and look at the bottom and you will prob. see extract still stuck there.

[randomdave]

presumably that would be noticable when you take the OG reading.?
Its always worth giving it a vigorouse mix, probly the only major exercise i get LOL

[boingy]

It's pretty difficult to make any adjustments once the lager is in the keg.

You could try adding some maltodextrin (also marketed as "body bru").
This is a non-fermentable sugar. It will give the lager some body (and possibly an OTT head!). There are two potential problems. First, the lager might taste a bit less "lager-like". Second, you may have to wait longer for it to clear. If you are up for some experimentation, grab some maltodextrin and mix a teaspoon of it with a pint of lager in a coke bottle. Shake well, put it somewhere cool for a few days then try it. Adjust the quantity and repeat. Then scale up the dose for the barrel. When you add it to the barrel I suggest you boil up the powder in a pint of water to kill off any nasties, let it cool a bit then add it.

You could also try using lactose but I think that would just add sweetness without adding flavour/body.

Maltodextrin is available here:

http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item1301.htm

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... ugars.html

and probably some other place too ;p

[jason123]

Thanks for the tips.

I tried to do this kit on the cheap and to see if the enhancers or malts made much difference and after this I have to say they probably do.
The brew was made up in the barrel, a king keg top tap, and left to ferment with the top loosely on. When it had finished fermenting I added the priming sugar (60g) and some finings and put the top on. I'm only at the basic kit brewing stage of the vocation It's only been finished for 3 weeks and I have plenty of good beer to drink before christmas when the lager was intended to be drunk.

So I'll leave it for a few more weeks and give it another try. I've always held the opinion that lager kits never turn out as good as a beer and just thought I'd give them another try.

I'll update the post at christmas when it's had a few more weeks!

Jase

[jason123]

Hi Guys,
I gave it a week before succumbing to temptation and trying the brew again.
And what a difference the week has made, tried it and it brought a huge grin to my face as I thought this isn't bad at all.
Lots more flavour than before,a nice sparkle to it and a great colour. I really like beers that taste unique and this is going to make some really good drinking.

Moral of the story, Be patient.