Hi all,
About to get started on my next kit - Coopers Lager - I want to try and preserve the 5% abv quoted on the can. I'll use 1 kg BKE as a starting point which I think will give me a slightly lower abv, so I want to add something to beef it up a bit. Not sure if I should add some extra T & L sugar, or some extra BKE, and in what quantities. I'm rather restricted in what I can add, I would love to use 1 kg LSM and some extra glucose, but my nearest LHBS is 50 odd miles away and I dont have a car, so local Wilkos is my only option (they sell BKE, nothing else). Unless I shop online and pay their extortionate delivery costs - its alright if your gonna spend 65 smackers, delivery is free, but I aint got 65 smackers!
Also slighty worried as this is a Coopers kit, will adding more fermentables mean that I'm gonna get some sort of Mt. Etna in my living room?
Any advice, good or bad, welcomed!
Cheers, ears!
1kg BKE + extra sugar or BKE?
-
shandypants5
Re: 1kg BKE + extra sugar or BKE?
I cant help you just yet but I am doing a similar experiment.
I just started a coopers mexican yesterday using 1kg of light spraymalt and about half a pint,ish of table sugar to try and boost the strength a little.
shortened the brewlength a bit too, to end up with an OG of 1050.
Its fermenting away like a goodun thismorning after just 15 hours.
I just hope it gets down to a reasonable gravity before it stops.
I started a "Ditch,s Stout" at the same time. (1kg dark sp,OG 1042)
So its a race to see which one finishes first
I just started a coopers mexican yesterday using 1kg of light spraymalt and about half a pint,ish of table sugar to try and boost the strength a little.
shortened the brewlength a bit too, to end up with an OG of 1050.
Its fermenting away like a goodun thismorning after just 15 hours.
I just hope it gets down to a reasonable gravity before it stops.
I started a "Ditch,s Stout" at the same time. (1kg dark sp,OG 1042)
So its a race to see which one finishes first
-
shandypants5
Re: 1kg BKE + extra sugar or BKE?
I know its hard when your broke but, I buy all my kits online and I too have to buy £65 worth at a time, to avoid delivery charges.
But I see it as "investing in the future"
I mean, I am going to spend the money on the kit sooner or later so it may as well be sooner.
That way I nearly allways have a stock of kits in my cupboard to choose from.
But I see it as "investing in the future"
I mean, I am going to spend the money on the kit sooner or later so it may as well be sooner.
That way I nearly allways have a stock of kits in my cupboard to choose from.
Re: 1kg BKE + extra sugar or BKE?
Hi Timothio
I've got a Coopers Lager just finishing in my FV. I used 1kg of Spray Malt. It did try to escape a little at about 18 - 24 hrs. then it was ok, but still quite lively.
BKE is 50% Spray Malt + 50% Gucose. Most opinions on here I've seen, recomend upto 750 spray Malt and upto 250 Glucose or sugar. So if you've got 500ml BKE + 500ml Spray malt. that would be about right. I was also tempted to add some sugar or glucose, but im glad i didnt. There's a photo of it leaving the airlock on here. If you search - (coopers lager lark).
I also did a Coopers stout last week, with 1kg Glucose. shortened the brew lenth to 22l, it was very lively but didnt leave the FV.
I'd be careful adding more than 1kg of any fermentables in total. with a max of 250 glucose/sugar.
If, as you say, you dont have access to a HBS. I guess the best you can do is use the 1 kg BKE and use less water for at least the 1st few days, then either leave it as is with a higher % or top up to 23l.
Keep us all updated on its progress.
I've got a Coopers Lager just finishing in my FV. I used 1kg of Spray Malt. It did try to escape a little at about 18 - 24 hrs. then it was ok, but still quite lively.
BKE is 50% Spray Malt + 50% Gucose. Most opinions on here I've seen, recomend upto 750 spray Malt and upto 250 Glucose or sugar. So if you've got 500ml BKE + 500ml Spray malt. that would be about right. I was also tempted to add some sugar or glucose, but im glad i didnt. There's a photo of it leaving the airlock on here. If you search - (coopers lager lark).
I also did a Coopers stout last week, with 1kg Glucose. shortened the brew lenth to 22l, it was very lively but didnt leave the FV.
I'd be careful adding more than 1kg of any fermentables in total. with a max of 250 glucose/sugar.
If, as you say, you dont have access to a HBS. I guess the best you can do is use the 1 kg BKE and use less water for at least the 1st few days, then either leave it as is with a higher % or top up to 23l.
Keep us all updated on its progress.
The Doghouse Brewery (UK)