I'm about to do my first one of these kits with BKE and I've heard a lot of reports that it 'goes off like a rocket' in the early stages of primary fermentation. I don't fancy finding a volcanoe experiment going on with my airlock so I was thinking of reducing the volume of water I add initially and then top up later when the ferment has calmed down a bit.
I'm still a newbie so does that sound like a sensible idea? And if so, any advice on how much to cut down the water by would be very welcome.
Cheers.
Coopers Dark Ale
Re: Coopers Dark Ale
It does go off pretty vigorously. I'd forget the airlock if I were you, just leave part of the lid loose and sit the fermenter in a bin bag to catch the overflow. You could reduce the starting volume and top up once it starts to calm down, some do when making the Coopers Stout (which if anything is even more 'enthusiastic') - 20 litres should be ok, but you might still get an escape attempt. Seems to be a characteristic of the dark Coopers kits - I bought a 33 litre fermenter to accommodate them after a couple of froth festivals. 
anyway its worth it, its a cracking pint.
anyway its worth it, its a cracking pint.
Fermenting: nowt
Conditioning: Headcracker, Brewmaker Northumberland Brown, Brewmaker Export Bitter
Drinking: Coopers Euro Lager, Coopers Dark Ale, Hambleton Bard Amber Export, Coopers Aussie Pale Ale, Almondbury Old, Coopers Stout, Wherry w/Chinook
Planning: BOTW 80/-
Conditioning: Headcracker, Brewmaker Northumberland Brown, Brewmaker Export Bitter
Drinking: Coopers Euro Lager, Coopers Dark Ale, Hambleton Bard Amber Export, Coopers Aussie Pale Ale, Almondbury Old, Coopers Stout, Wherry w/Chinook
Planning: BOTW 80/-
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THE TACKER
Re: Coopers Dark Ale
Just done one barreled it last Wednesday, It can be lively but I fermented it in my back room at about 21C it still leaked a bit but nothing to bother about .And by the way it's a belter 
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cbucket
Re: Coopers Dark Ale
I did one of these about 1 month ago. I filled it up to 21 litres. I would estimate I lost about 0.5 pints. Just leave the lid a bit loose and let it overflow. Tried one on Friday. Absolute nectar.
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guidomax
Re: Coopers Dark Ale
I did a Coopers Dark a while ago - it actually was more effervescent than the Coopers Stout. I just left my FV in the bath till it was done the initial 'blow' and then moved elsewhere - saves messin'.
The great thing about the Coopers is that they tend to ferment out within a couple of days so you (or the missus) can have your bath back in servicable order reasonably quickly(!)
The great thing about the Coopers is that they tend to ferment out within a couple of days so you (or the missus) can have your bath back in servicable order reasonably quickly(!)
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Manx Guy
Re: Coopers Dark Ale
Hi,
I have one of these lined up and my FV is one that came with the 'coopers starter kit' it holds about 30 litres so hopefully will be able to contain the brew... however I will fill to 21 litres
I''l post how it goes...
All i need to do is drink some beer to empty enough bottles to be able to bottle it
Slainte!
I have one of these lined up and my FV is one that came with the 'coopers starter kit' it holds about 30 litres so hopefully will be able to contain the brew... however I will fill to 21 litres
I''l post how it goes...
All i need to do is drink some beer to empty enough bottles to be able to bottle it
Slainte!