Hello there,
I am new to the art of home breewing, having just bottled a batch of the Coopers Lager that comes with the Micro Brew kit.
I left it in fermenter about 10 days and have tasted a couple after bottling at about 3-4 days. Natrualy I guess they are light on the fizz, but the taste is the problem. There simply isn't one. While I realize that the flavour should improve over time and the beer is still very young, how much does a flavour improve if there simply isn't one to start with ie. Not bitter, no after taste ecept for a hint of apple.
Ingredients were 1 can Coopers Lager, 1kg brewing sugar.
I could wait for longer - I just bloody thirsty.
Cheers.
Coopers Lager
waiting waiting........
JubJub,
Funnily enough Ive just done my first brew, same kit same beer.
It passed its 2week birthday last night and as such I had a couple.
It tastes alright and has a decent level of fizz even though I partially froze the bugger,( hard to judge temp with PET bottles) tastes better than the coopers pale ale stubbies I bought last week in fact.
The scientific method demands more than a random sample ie one, so to maintain standards Ill try another one tonight.
Give it a couple of weeks, some of the guys on here reckon 3 months is the go, they either have strong will power or a hoarded supply happily ageing.
The book with the kit reconds a minimum of 2 weeks, it takes that long to carbonate anyway, put it back in the cupboard and give it the time it needs.
Funnily enough Ive just done my first brew, same kit same beer.
It passed its 2week birthday last night and as such I had a couple.
It tastes alright and has a decent level of fizz even though I partially froze the bugger,( hard to judge temp with PET bottles) tastes better than the coopers pale ale stubbies I bought last week in fact.
The scientific method demands more than a random sample ie one, so to maintain standards Ill try another one tonight.
Give it a couple of weeks, some of the guys on here reckon 3 months is the go, they either have strong will power or a hoarded supply happily ageing.
The book with the kit reconds a minimum of 2 weeks, it takes that long to carbonate anyway, put it back in the cupboard and give it the time it needs.
When i did my first coopers lager i didnt notice it was that weak. Age will improve the "roundness" of the beer, like bitterness and sweetness. What you have discribed sounds like you may have made the batch up to weak, ie more than 23L, or possibly didn't get all of the concentrate across. If you think you have made the batch up proper, try playing with other additives (hops and all malt to start), get it right for you. The apple flavour suggests a little high fermentation temps. Ignore the instructions in coopers can, try for 18-20 degrees, and it will improve.
Keep it reel 
Thanks for the reply guys,
Interesting that you note not to follow the instructions on the can re temp.
I pitched the yeast at about 30 deg C as the manual said basicly "for the love of god don't wait for it to cool or your beer will go rotten etc.".
It fermented at about 24 -28 deg C vigorously for 3 days.
Looks like you are bang on.
I picked up a can of Coopers Bitter and some BE2 having read some of the postings from Paleman and the boys.
I have a spare fridge so I might convert it to brewing fridge and try the Bitter at the lower temp as it looks like we are in for a warmish winter.
Cheers.
Interesting that you note not to follow the instructions on the can re temp.
I pitched the yeast at about 30 deg C as the manual said basicly "for the love of god don't wait for it to cool or your beer will go rotten etc.".
It fermented at about 24 -28 deg C vigorously for 3 days.
Looks like you are bang on.
I picked up a can of Coopers Bitter and some BE2 having read some of the postings from Paleman and the boys.
I have a spare fridge so I might convert it to brewing fridge and try the Bitter at the lower temp as it looks like we are in for a warmish winter.
Cheers.
jubjub, sounds like temp will be fixed next time, but also consider ditching the brewing sugar if you are after taste. The sugar adds alcohol only, for more body etc add either the BE2 or 1/2 BE1 plus 500grams of light dried malt.
Sugar is for alcohol, malt is for beer! Insipid tasteless stuff can be had from the bottlo - no need to try and replicate it!
I only ever add malt in 1.5kg cans from LHBS - $10 well spent
Sugar is for alcohol, malt is for beer! Insipid tasteless stuff can be had from the bottlo - no need to try and replicate it!
I only ever add malt in 1.5kg cans from LHBS - $10 well spent