I've got a Coopers lager kit on at the mo, usually I stick to ales so I've got a few questions:
1. I believe the yeast that comes with the kit is not a lagering yeast due to the temperature range given in the instructions. As I had spare S04 lying around, I used this instead of the supplied yeast as I like the speed of fermentation and the firm deposits it gives. Does anyone know if this will impart any 'wrong' flavours?
2. On the second day of fermentation, my house smelled like an explosion in a hydrogen sulphide plant. If one of my ales did that I'd have 40 pints of drain cleaner, but not knowing enough about lager I have left it. Is it usual for lager to be giving off a load of rotten egg smell or have I ballsed up the brew? The smell has considerably subsided on the fifth day of fermentation, and I'm assuming it will completely clear after a few weeks in the garage.
3. I've had two consecutive readings of 1.013. Is this the usual FG for a Coopers lager?
Cheers in advance....
First Lager Kit - Questions
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sparky Paul
Re: First Lager Kit - Questions
1. I'm pretty sure Coopers yeast is Safale S04.
2. Sulphurous pongs are disconcerting, but quite normal when brewing lagers. It should disappear a few days after fermentation ends.
3. If you made the kit up with spraymalt or liquid malt extract, 1013 would be within the realms of acceptable for a FG. If you used any proportion of sugar, then I would expect a lower FG... in any case, I would look for a few days of constant readings before bottling/kegging.
Hope that helps!
2. Sulphurous pongs are disconcerting, but quite normal when brewing lagers. It should disappear a few days after fermentation ends.
3. If you made the kit up with spraymalt or liquid malt extract, 1013 would be within the realms of acceptable for a FG. If you used any proportion of sugar, then I would expect a lower FG... in any case, I would look for a few days of constant readings before bottling/kegging.
Hope that helps!
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davekermito
Re: First Lager Kit - Questions
Cheers!
It was a 75/25 spraymalt sugar mix, so probably not too far away.
I was surprised quite how sulphury the smells were! Her indoors was not impressed!
It was a 75/25 spraymalt sugar mix, so probably not too far away.
I was surprised quite how sulphury the smells were! Her indoors was not impressed!
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sparky Paul
Re: First Lager Kit - Questions
Yes, it can stink!davekermito wrote:It was a 75/25 spraymalt sugar mix, so probably not too far away.
I was surprised quite how sulphury the smells were! Her indoors was not impressed!
At 75/25, you'll not be far away at 1013, perhaps it might drop another point or two. An extra few days in bulk doesn't hurt lager at all, even a week or two under airlock in a secondary if you can be bothered (I never do).