Coopers European larger

[scottyftm]

Hi I have just found one of these kits at the back of the cupboard which I bought when TESCO were selling them cheap earlier in the year, will it be any good to brew for Christmas cause I noticed it say around three months for it to be ready on the tin.

[DannyJalapeno]

Hi I have just found one of these kits at the back of the cupboard which I bought when TESCO were selling them cheap earlier in the year, will it be any good to brew for Christmas cause I noticed it say around three months for it to be ready on the tin.

Hi Scotty, you'd probably be wishing a bit too much if you want it ready for Crimbo. If I'm right in thinking, this contains a true lager yeast which needs lower temperatures to work, so you'd be looking at least at 2 weeks in the FV, then another 12 weeks stored in bottles in a cool place. Dare say they'd be drinkable in 8 or so weeks, but better left for longer mate.

[cellone]

2/3 weeks in primary @ around 12c, 1 month lagering @ around 2c and the 2 weeks in the bottle @ around 18c it should be good to drink.

[seymour]

Or skip the lager yeast altogether; pitch ale yeast instead to make a nice, crisp, golden ale. Then you don't have to worry about such a long, slow fermentation.

[lovelldr]

Just bottled one of these. Brewed it to the instructions, with 1kg be2, used the supplied yeast. Left it out in the garage cool, between 11-14'c for just over 2 weeks. OG was 1.042. After 2 weeks, brought it up to 18'c for a few days, then 19'c for a couple more days.

Came to bottling, and wow, how clear was it! I could see right down to the bottom and all the yeast and any little dimples in it. Anyway, FG was 1.012, so works out about 3.9% abv. A little disappointed with that, but suppose not too bad

Thing that shocked me the most, was how good it tasted. I could probably have started drinking it there and then if only it was fizzy!

[cellone]

Or skip the lager yeast altogether; pitch ale yeast instead to make a nice, crisp, golden ale. Then you don't have to worry about such a long, slow fermentation.

weirdo

[Barloch]

I have one on these just now as it was older stock, but the last one i did, it does take at least 12 weeks to come good, it tastes like a bad Carslberg (if there is a good one) until it settles, i found it comes out nice at normal 18 degrees as the yeast is a mix of ale and lager yeasts

So might be a bit young by xmas but still after a while it does come good

I actually quite liked this, it is IMHO is one of the better Coopers kits. i have a lot of ales and fancied a lager to break up the aleness

[Monkeybrew]

as the yeast is a mix of ale and lager yeasts

Defo 100% Lager yeast with this kit, it's the Coopers Heritage Lager that comes with the Ale/Lager mix.

[cellone]

Have to add the pilsener is the better of the 2 coopers kits that come with lager yeast. I find the euro a bit sweet.