Page 1 of 1

Just Joined

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 1:49 pm
by Bones
Hi all. I have just joined this wonderful Forum after browsing for the past two weeks and have gained a wealth of knowledge already from you knowledgeable folk. I have only been home-brewing sonce just before Christmas so I am a real novice.

I have converted an old fridge for brewing using an Aldoheat Fan Controller, etc, and hope to try it out this weekend.

Current Brews:

Coopers Candian Blonde - won't last long as it's the missus's favourite.
Coopers Real Ale - not a big fan of this.
Coopers Lager - only four bottles left (bugga).
Muntons Irish Stout - fantastic with a dash of lemonade (have to watch the missus with this one, too).
Texas Black T Ale - darker than the Stout but very nice (a hint of tea).

Putting down this Weekend:

Coopers Bavarian Lager - in the brew fridge, of course.
Coopers Draught - need more 'daily drinkers'.

Cheers....

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 1:57 pm
by Shaun
Bones Welcome

Texas T Black Ale is one of my regulars.

Try it with:
500g dark malt
500g light malt
500g corn syrup/maltodxtrein (they are the same)
20g goldings hops

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 2:01 pm
by Kippo
Gday Bones!

What did you think of the Coopers lager? It was my first brew (as i am only a beginner aswell) and i thought it was ok. Nice and refreshing with a hint of fruit aswell. Got a Batch of Coopers Bitter in secondary at the moment and a batch of Coopers Draught in the fermenter.

Kippo.

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 3:03 pm
by Bones
Shaun that recipe sounds nice...thanks, I'll add it to my collection!

Kippo, I find that the Coopers Lager is really to my liking and not too fruity. I did use Coopers BE#1 with it as this was my first brew. I had a mate around the other day who is a bit fuusy with his drinks and he said it was the best home brew he has had yet (he didn't think much of the Candian Blonde, however).

I'll be brewing the Coopers Draught with BE#2 and them compare the same aged bottles with the Lager to see which I like best as my regular.

The Bavarian I'll do with BE#1 as recommended on the can. I'll keep you posted as to how they both turn out.

And thanks for the welcome guys.

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 6:52 pm
by Chris
A fantastic recipe for the bavarian lager, is 1kg malt, and saflager yeast.

It's one of the best K&K around.

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 8:13 pm
by gregb
As above with a Hallertauer tea bag and Kit yeast (which is a SAF yeast BTW).

Cheers,
Greg

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 9:35 pm
by Chris
Gregb, are you sure about the safyeast? I've never heard of that before, and I just hit google to have a look. Can't see anything about it, except on this site. Have you got a link? I'd appreciate it.

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 9:55 pm
by gregb

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 10:10 pm
by Chris
Thanks mate. Didn't even think of the stickies.

Posted: Friday Feb 03, 2006 11:14 pm
by Shaun
Chris I just finished brewing a Coopers bav lager with the kit yeast at lager temps and it brewed like a lager yeast so even if its not SAF it is a lager strain.

Posted: Saturday Feb 04, 2006 9:07 am
by Chris
I knew it was a lager yeast, I just didn't know which strain.

I've heard that there is a particularly good wyeast liquid bavarian lager yeast out there. I think I may give it a try.

Posted: Saturday Feb 04, 2006 12:31 pm
by two headed brewer
G'day Bones,
I'll be brewing the Coopers Draught with BE#2 and them compare the same aged bottles with the Lager to see which I like best as my regular.
Good way to start and compare. Just for your info. my regular is Cooper's Draught, 1kg light liquid malt or LDM, 30g Cascade hop and 100g of wheat or pale grain. Just boil the malt with 20g hop for 30 minutes while the grain is steeping. At end of 30 min add grain liquid and remaining hop, bring to boil and turn off. Add kit then cover and leave for 10-15 min, in sink with water, to cool. I usually use a Saflager yeast and brew in the fridge as well.
If you haven't considered partials, I urge you to give serious thought. There's heap of posts with great tips and methods. They really helped me improve my brews.

Best of luck
Bally

Posted: Saturday Feb 04, 2006 2:48 pm
by Mewshew
Welcome Bones.

I started just before christmas too. Am I the only bugger around here who actually likes the Coopers Real Ale? :D 3 out of of my 5 brews so far have involved RA. Havn't read any positive comments about it anywhere. My mates and I really like it.

Posted: Saturday Feb 04, 2006 3:31 pm
by tcc
I am a real ale fan Mewshew, seems to be very easy to do quite well, the original bitter is also good.

Posted: Saturday Feb 04, 2006 6:19 pm
by dags64
Mewshew wrote:Welcome Bones.

I started just before christmas too. Am I the only bugger around here who actually likes the Coopers Real Ale? :D 3 out of of my 5 brews so far have involved RA. Havn't read any positive comments about it anywhere. My mates and I really like it.
my neighbor does a real ale and it is very nice
he gives me a taste everynow and then :wink:

Posted: Monday Feb 06, 2006 5:56 am
by JaCk_SpArRoW
Kippo wrote:Got a Batch of Coopers Bitter in secondary at the moment

Kippo.
So you bit the bullet & got yourself some secondary gear huh Kippo? :D :D :D

Posted: Monday Feb 06, 2006 6:52 am
by Bones
Chris and Two Headed Brewer, thanks for the hint regards the Bavarian and Draught. I'll brew as per my original post, then alter the recipe late and compare the difference. I put down the Draught in the fridge on the weekend (using SAFALE) and it is humming away nicely bang on 20 degrees.