Hi all, I've copied this text from my other post on another forum, so, suggestions if you please. Thanks.
So far i've started with the Brewpaks Yorkshire Ale (Almondbury Old)(which i'm not sure will work out) in the mean time i've set off an alcopop (just for laughs more than anything) and now i'm planning on doing a lager (Coopers Australian).
So, the Brewpak has had a couple of problems namely it's gravity being around the 1015 mark (although a nugget of info I just found is that the hydro reading depends on the ambient temp and my ambient temps at the mo are between 22-24C). Anyway, I got fed up with waiting - not the best trait when homebrewing I know - and now it's kegged. It's staying in this room (at 22-24C) for ten days then i'm taking it to the garage or attic which should have the temps down to around 15 during daytime and 5 during night for another 10 days then it's getting drank.
The alcopop sg was 1044 and last night it was 1026. I'm giving it till Friday at the earliest to improve in alcohol (anyone like to guess what it will get to?) but I can taste a definite mecinal taste which I think is due to me using a 50/50 mix of sugar/fruit fructose.
So, now i'm onto the lager (lets see if I can balls that one up). I have one fermenting bin and one keg (keg in use for the next 15ish days) plus I have just bought my local HB shop out of 1 litre PET bottles (14 at the mo). I've bought a few different yeasts and some dextrose too. What's the best/quickest way to get a decent result from the Coopers lager?
It has the ale yeast but I've bought some safale with the intent on using that (unless it takes for ever/needs too cool an environment to brew).
How do you do it?
Anyway, end of update/questions.
Steve.
Hi, i'm new here !
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stevezx7r
Thanks Daab I knew I would get a quick response from you !
The light spray malt - is this the same as using Geordies Beerkit Enhancer? I have a 1kg bag of the stuff. Also, would I be able to use that in my next alcopop brew as the first one i've done tastes a bit medicinal due I think to using normal sugar + fruit fructose mix (50/50)
Another Q - Getting the first gravity check - Is the reading to be taken before I add the yeast or after?
I was planning on 10 days in the primary at 22C then bottling (using dextrose as a primeing sugar?) and keeping it in the bottle at 22C for 2 weeks then in the fridge for 1 week. Sound ok?
Thanks in advance.
The light spray malt - is this the same as using Geordies Beerkit Enhancer? I have a 1kg bag of the stuff. Also, would I be able to use that in my next alcopop brew as the first one i've done tastes a bit medicinal due I think to using normal sugar + fruit fructose mix (50/50)
Another Q - Getting the first gravity check - Is the reading to be taken before I add the yeast or after?
I was planning on 10 days in the primary at 22C then bottling (using dextrose as a primeing sugar?) and keeping it in the bottle at 22C for 2 weeks then in the fridge for 1 week. Sound ok?
Thanks in advance.
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prodigal2
steve, check out my own experiences of making a lager:
viewtopic.php?t=2313&sid=33982ac083b8e7 ... 209536380d
I let my kit lager(store) for nearly 3 months and I can say it was worth every day of that. During the first month I though that my bottles would never carb up, but they did after the 3 months.
I would say for your lager I would bottle (raid the recycling bins), and this means that you still have your keg for other brews.
viewtopic.php?t=2313&sid=33982ac083b8e7 ... 209536380d
I let my kit lager(store) for nearly 3 months and I can say it was worth every day of that. During the first month I though that my bottles would never carb up, but they did after the 3 months.
I would say for your lager I would bottle (raid the recycling bins), and this means that you still have your keg for other brews.
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chopperswookie
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sparky Paul
Yes, I'd second that wookie - lots of folk don't like using 2 litre PET bottles because it's impossible to pour several glasses without disturbing the sediment.
I find that decanting first into a 2 litre plastic fruit juice jug/pitcher first works fine for me - with care, no sediment transfers whatsover. Tesco do some plastic jugs with a rotary valve on the top which work well for me, and are easy to strip and clean.
I find that decanting first into a 2 litre plastic fruit juice jug/pitcher first works fine for me - with care, no sediment transfers whatsover. Tesco do some plastic jugs with a rotary valve on the top which work well for me, and are easy to strip and clean.
Last edited by sparky Paul on Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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prodigal2
SP I agree with you, that is what I do, you also get the advantage of a larger mass to condition. The only problem is once you've started a 2l bottle, you have to finish itsparky Paul wrote:Yes, I'd second that wookie - lots of folk don't like using 2 litre PET bottles because it's impossible to pour several glasses without disturbing the sediment.
I find that decanting first into a 2 litre plastic fruit jug/pitcher first works fine for me - with care, no sediment transfers whatsover. Tesco do some plastic jugs with a rotary valve on the top which work well for me, and are easy to strip and clean.
Plus 2l bottles reduces the pain of bottling
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stevezx7r
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Another question (they keep coming don't they!)
I was used to tasting my Almondbury as it fermented to get a feel for how things were going, can I still do that even though it's now in the keg and under pressure (been in since Monday, no CO2 bottles added).
BTW, my alcopop sg is now at 1018 and it tastes like watery lemonade. I left the trial jar with some in and large bubbles have formed and sediment is at the bottom, it tastes kinda fizzy too...
Anyway, thanks again !
Another question (they keep coming don't they!)
I was used to tasting my Almondbury as it fermented to get a feel for how things were going, can I still do that even though it's now in the keg and under pressure (been in since Monday, no CO2 bottles added).
BTW, my alcopop sg is now at 1018 and it tastes like watery lemonade. I left the trial jar with some in and large bubbles have formed and sediment is at the bottom, it tastes kinda fizzy too...
Anyway, thanks again !
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StrangeBrew
- Under the Table
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stevezx7r
Well, it has been sampled...
At first I got my "special" beer glass, I feel something as important as a first "proper" taste deserves that much. Then I turned the lever gradually round so as not to spray myself with foamy beer. I just did a bit at first, just to see. I gave it a sniff, wow, that's definately a beer smell. Next the taste, OH MY GOD !!! I couldn't believe something that's only been brewing in the keg for 5 days could taste that good !!! So I pulled a full pint. It's like a John Smiths (from a can) type of taste (although it's been a while since I've had any, usually it's Tetleys), sort of dark'n'chocolatey to me with the bitter aftertaste of a beer that's not ready yet, dry too. Colour wise it's dark, almost porter dark and held up to the light it has a slight red hue - although, take my colour descriptions with a pinch of salt as i'm colour blind! It's half empty (or is that full?) now and still has a head on it although mainly clinging to the sides now.
I am still going to keep it in the keg for another 5+ days then put it outside for at least 10 days.
Well, I was going to pop over to asda for some Cains FA (anyone tried that, it's £1.88 and 5% for 1 litre, not too bad a taste once your onto your third can) but I think I might slurp this a bit instead...
Oh, the gravity at the mo is 1016 which is where it was when it went to keg....hmmm...
I'm guessing it's around the 3.8ish mark but as I forgot to take an OG I will never know. Ah well.
Anyway, thanks for saying it's ok to "try" from the keg, I think I need to try it some more now. Cheers !
At first I got my "special" beer glass, I feel something as important as a first "proper" taste deserves that much. Then I turned the lever gradually round so as not to spray myself with foamy beer. I just did a bit at first, just to see. I gave it a sniff, wow, that's definately a beer smell. Next the taste, OH MY GOD !!! I couldn't believe something that's only been brewing in the keg for 5 days could taste that good !!! So I pulled a full pint. It's like a John Smiths (from a can) type of taste (although it's been a while since I've had any, usually it's Tetleys), sort of dark'n'chocolatey to me with the bitter aftertaste of a beer that's not ready yet, dry too. Colour wise it's dark, almost porter dark and held up to the light it has a slight red hue - although, take my colour descriptions with a pinch of salt as i'm colour blind! It's half empty (or is that full?) now and still has a head on it although mainly clinging to the sides now.
I am still going to keep it in the keg for another 5+ days then put it outside for at least 10 days.
Well, I was going to pop over to asda for some Cains FA (anyone tried that, it's £1.88 and 5% for 1 litre, not too bad a taste once your onto your third can) but I think I might slurp this a bit instead...
Oh, the gravity at the mo is 1016 which is where it was when it went to keg....hmmm...
I'm guessing it's around the 3.8ish mark but as I forgot to take an OG I will never know. Ah well.
Anyway, thanks for saying it's ok to "try" from the keg, I think I need to try it some more now. Cheers !
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stevezx7r
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sparky Paul
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stevezx7r
