Brewing the Coopers Lager using the New DIY Kit

[jgcorn61]

what do you recommend? the spigot with a hose, or a siphon.

[makebeer]

@jgcorn61 Either will work. Minimize the splashing and if possible try to purge the O2 from the vessel that you are transferring to.

[makebeer]

@jgcorn61 Either method will work. I assume that you are implying that you want to transfer the beer to another vessel (ie, batch priming, or prolonged storage in another fermenter). If bottling with the Coopers carbonation drops, just use the bottling wand attachment to the spigot.

[jgcorn61]

I am on day 2 of fermentation, My question is on day 6 when I am scheduled to remove the carousen ring would it hurt anything to split the batch and hop one and leave the other just regular Lagar?

Thanks, Joe

[makebeer]

@jgcorn61 how do you plan on splitting the batch? It would not hurt anything as long as you are careful and don't do a lot of splashing around.

[LowHertz1]

Hey Bud, I have the same kit and did the exact same thing you have except when I bottled my beer and primed it with the measured amount of dextrose the beer fucking went crazy and shot out the top as soon as I put the dextrose in, do you have any idea what happened? thanks

[shawnio]

@LowHertz1 your beer was still very much alive, what happened was the yeast was not done fermenting and the pressure was too much and you have a ruptured vessel

[makebeer]

@shawnio He said it happened when he put the dextrose in the bottle. There wouldn't have been any pressure then. Just sayin. BTW my floors are clean and the spigot was not near the floor.

[shawnio]

to the guy who uploaded this video, when you were filling it with cold water that spigot was an inch off the floor, unless you love drinking mold I suggest you do that on the counter, you had a lil trouble with that jug of water do it in the sink if you can't lift it

[makebeer]

@LowHertz1 Not really. How much dextrose was used in each bottle?

[smokenque]

Two questions.. First, have you made this lager without the Saaz? If so, second question.. how do you feel the two compare. I'm still waiting for my kit to arrive. I thought of using 1 oz of Cascade. What do you think?

[makebeer]

@smokenque Yes I have. They are both good. But I like to add a little extra spice. Cascade will work fine. You will be making a very Pale Ale.

[pixgirlie]

Ok, thanks...will do!

[pixgirlie]

I bottled half the lager and it is delicious at 2weeks and I am not a lager fan. I then dry hopped the remainder for 5 days and then bottled. This hopped batch tho it taste ok did not carbonate. I did put 2 tabs in each bottle. Any idea what caused this? Was the yeast all used up?

[makebeer]

@pixgirlie Just give it time. The longer you wait before bottling the more the yeast settles to the bottom of the fermenter. The yeast count is probably lower in the bottles but it will eventually work. Just keep the bottles at fermentation temperature.

[juancho704]

Hi, i was looking forward to buying this kit, but I have I live in a really hot place, 26-28C (78.5-82F) on the coldest part of my house, can I make beer with those temperatures? if not what could you recommend me to do? thanks

[makebeer]

@juancho704 Immerse your fermenter in cool water. Use ice packs to keep the water cool. I use frozen PET bottles.

[pixgirlie]

Thanks, I got sone hops today and plan to bottle half the brew and then dry hop the last half for 5 days just to get an idea of how different it will taste. I tasted the beer out of my hydrometer and tho flat it is really good,

[xMILITANTDx]

When i oredered my kit i didnt get the tap. So i had to go buy a separate fermenter. Would it screw everything up if i dumped the wort into the DIY fermenter when i recieve the tap?? And what exactly is the gravity? Im new to this... LOL

[pixgirlie]

How long did you dry hop and was it after the batch had stopped fermentation. I just started my first batch with new kit from you and it is bubbling away. It is so easy. I am already thinking of my next brew..an IPA.

[makebeer]

@pixgirlie I dry hopped for about 5 days. I did this after primary fermentation was complete. I would recommend using a muslin bag or cheese cloth.

[pixgirlie]

Since you did nor use a muslin bag how will you get hops out?

[makebeer]

@pixgirlie I waited until after bottling. It worked but I wouldn't recommend it. The last couple of bottles did have some leaves in them. No harm though. The beers taste good.

[CrazedComet123]

When taking a Hydrometer reading you should 1/2 fill the tube and discard then fill it 2/3 to take a reading from.You may not get a correct reading from the 1st reading as there tends to be buildup in the tap area.Also it easier 2 add the sugar 2 the FV 1st then the water as it is easier to pick the FV up and swirl the water around to disolve all sugars than is 2 stir it.I have had a DIY kit since Xmas 2010 and the only thing wrong with it is a leak from the tap if I'm not careful when using it.

[makebeer]

@CrazedComet123 All good tips. Thanks.

[philby1979]

they are cool I have had mine for a few months and no issues, love it.

so much easier to clean and you get over it not having the airlock, a lot over here don't use them just use glad wrap and the rubber o-ring to keep it sealed

[makebeer]

@philby1979 So far I love it too. My first brew is going great. I took some sips of the Lager today and it's pretty tasty.

[Homebrewisgreat]

To bad thisDIY kit is not available in Canada........

[makebeer]

@Homebrewisgreat It should be available shortly.

[Homebrewisgreat]

@makebeer Yes. I see it is available in the United States.....However it would cost a fortune to ship it to Canada........To Bad it wasn't actually available at a Canadian Store......

[pookanc]

Not a big fan of the Airlock being deleted.

[makebeer]

@pookanc The fermenter is the airlock. As the gases push out the lid will rise. Fermentation is completely visible.

[alzathoth]

wow. the new kit looks so much easier to clean! :) can you toss the whole thing into your dw? my compliments on another great video. cheers al

[makebeer]

@alzathoth Not the whole fermenter. Just the krausen collar. The rest is easy to clean though.