Coopers Sparkling Ale OG ?

Discuss making up beer kits - the simplest way to brew.
Post Reply
sparky Paul

Coopers Sparkling Ale OG ?

Post by sparky Paul » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:29 pm

In my latest consignment of brewing goodies, I ordered a few of the cheap Cooper's Premium Sparkling Ale kits, which are supposed to be a Pale Ale type beer. The instructions recommend adding all of the following;

1.5kg can of light LME
500g of light DME
300g of glucose

I've got a few questions if anyone can help. :wink:

Am I right in thinking the OG will be around 1060 with that lot?
Would the substitution of a further 1kg of light DME instead of the LME affect the results adversely?
Would anyone recommend any extra hopping?

I'm quite looking forward to brewing an IPA kit... :beer:
Top
steve_flack

Post by steve_flack » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:51 pm

How much does it make? It's hard to guess the OG without a volume :roll:
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:56 pm

steve_flack wrote:How much does it make? It's hard to guess the OG without a volume :roll:
#-o Doh! Of course - it's a 40 pint kit. The fermentables above are in addition to the kit itself, which is 1.75kg.

I reckon I'm guessing too high at 1060 now, but it's still going to be fairly high?
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:10 pm

DaaB wrote:You'll probably find that the instructions call for 1.5kg of LME or, 500g dme+300g dextrose :D
Nope - definitely all three together. 8-[

Side of the can says...
To make a beer true to the intended style, use a 1.5kg can of Coopers light malt extract plus 500g Coopers Light Dry Malt plus 300g Coopers Dextrose.
http://www.coopers.com.au/homebrew/hbre ... d=1&id=119
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:03 pm

I'm still pretty sure its suggesting you use all three. This is what it says in the instruction leaflet...
Requirements: Coopers Wort concentrate, Yeast Sachet (under lid) and Coopers Light Malt Extract (other recommended fermentable sugars may be used). In addition to 1.5kg Coopers Light Malt Extract, the Sparkling Ale recipe requires 500g Light Dry Malt and 300g Dextrose for optimum results.
The bits in bold are exactly as it is printed.

It sounds like a lot of sugar, but it seems pretty clear to me... I'm now confused... :?
Top
tubby_shaw

Post by tubby_shaw » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:19 pm

SP, you are correct, from the web site
Intended to be mixed with 1.5kg Thomas Coopers Light Malt Extract, 500g Coopers Light Dry Malt and 300g Coopers Dextrose - made up to 23 litres
You are definately intended to use LME.DME and brewing sugar to produce the brew as intended :o
Top
mysterio

Post by mysterio » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:22 pm

Beersmith says that would be a 1.056 OG beer with the ingredients you mentioned. Presuming your FG would be around the 1.012 mark, that seems right considering Coopers Sparkling Ale has a ABV of 5.8%
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:25 pm

DaaB wrote:Does it suggest an approximate abv% to expect?
Unfortunately not. There's plenty of waffle on the can, but nowhere does it tell you the expected ABV. The instructions cover all of the 'Premium Selection' kits and just explain how to work out the ABV from an example OG and FG. :?

The only thing i've been able to find out is that the brewery version of the beer is 5.8%.
Top
mysterio

Post by mysterio » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:32 pm

That's a bit puzzling. I know some brands of LME & DME have a different dextrin/maltose (or whatever) ratio, i.e. some are more fermentable than others. Maybe Coopers' DME is more fermentable than the LME (or vice versa) and they're trying to control the FG :?:

But yeah DME would do the job.
Last edited by mysterio on Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:32 pm

mysterio wrote:Beersmith says that would be a 1.056 OG beer with the ingredients you mentioned. Presuming your FG would be around the 1.012 mark, that seems right considering Coopers Sparkling Ale has a ABV of 5.8%
Sorry about the 5.8% cross post, and thanks for the info. 8)

I reckon I'll try it with all DME (1.5kg) plus the 300g dextrose.

Would it be worth adding hops at any stage, or should I do the kit as instructed?
Top
mysterio

Post by mysterio » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:01 pm

If you want extra hop aroma or flavour, go for it. The bitterness will be calculated though so I wouldn't mess with that. Half an ounce of Goldings for 5 minutes maybe? It's up to you.
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:33 pm

Thanks guys for all the wisdom! 8)

I might try adding a few, I do like hoppy beers.

I've got some dried Saaz hops for a Lager experiment, but I'll have to get some Goldings. More shopping... :wink:
Top
mysterio

Post by mysterio » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:04 pm

No harm using Saaz, I use them a lot in ales 8)
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:47 pm

mysterio wrote:No harm using Saaz, I use them a lot in ales 8)
Cheers, I might just do that then! :D

I trust DaaB's advice of 10g+10g would still be okay with Saaz?
Top
sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Mon Feb 05, 2007 9:29 pm

Spiffing. Thanks DaaB 8)
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Kit Brewing”