I want to tweek my Coopers Pale Ale kit to make it more like a summer beer, I know what I want to add which is hops and elderflowers but when and how?
Your advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
Bill
Adding to kits.
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stevezx7r
Re: Adding to kits.
It all depends on whether your after adding extra bitterness or flavour/aroma.
If your after extra bitterness from the hops then making a hop tea would be the way to go. If you have a caffatiere you can make one up in that by adding pre-boiled water (@ ~ 80C should do the job) then leave the hops to stew for around 30 mins. Then strain the liquor into your fv and make the kit as usual.
If your after more aroma/flavour you could simply dry hop the beer with say 30g of your hops. This is only applicable if your planning on kegging the beer.
You can also use the hop tea approach but use cooler (pre-boiled) water (@ ~ 60C) and leave them to stew for about 10 mins. Then strain the liquor into the fv but also add the wet hops to a hop bag (muslin/nylon) then add that to the fv too. A lot of the aroma will be driven off by fermentation so the amount you use is down to trial and error.
Hope that gives you a few ideas.
If your after extra bitterness from the hops then making a hop tea would be the way to go. If you have a caffatiere you can make one up in that by adding pre-boiled water (@ ~ 80C should do the job) then leave the hops to stew for around 30 mins. Then strain the liquor into your fv and make the kit as usual.
If your after more aroma/flavour you could simply dry hop the beer with say 30g of your hops. This is only applicable if your planning on kegging the beer.
You can also use the hop tea approach but use cooler (pre-boiled) water (@ ~ 60C) and leave them to stew for about 10 mins. Then strain the liquor into the fv but also add the wet hops to a hop bag (muslin/nylon) then add that to the fv too. A lot of the aroma will be driven off by fermentation so the amount you use is down to trial and error.
Hope that gives you a few ideas.