Demerara for Coopers Stout

[RickMcCool]

Hi all,

This is my first post here, just want a little advice as I'm still a bit of a novice.

I started off a Coopers Stout kit yesterday, Ive done a couple of other kits in the past and used 1 kg BKE for these but for this Stout I used 1kg of Demerara. From searching this forum and others on the internet, a few people have talked about using 500g of Demerara and 500g of Spraymalt etc and all seem to be pretty happy with the results. But what I want to know is (as I can't seem to find an answer anywhere) is how will mine come out using only 1kg of Demerara? Will the results be nearly the same as using white household sugar? Or will they be better/worse?

I know using BKE or a mix of Spraymalt would be better, just worried I've ruined it by using 100% Demerara.

Thanks

[twentyfootwilf]

I wouldn't personally use a whole kg of any sort of sugar, but I don't think you will have ruined your brew by using demerara in fact I think you'll find it better than white sugar, it should leave a little residual flavour. The stout may be a little thinner bodied than desirable but it should be drinkable. I've got one in the FV at the moment and I used 1.5kg coopers dark malt extract syrup and 250g raw cane sugar, I tasted it this morning when I tested the SG and it's tasting very nice. Yours may taste slightly hoppier than mine, as mine will have more residual sweetness from the malt I used, but fear not yours will taste ok
Have a look at the sticky thread Ditch's stout master class at the top of the kit brewing forum page for precise instructions on brewing a perfect Coopers Stout.

[RickMcCool]

[quote="twentyfootwilf"]I wouldn't personally use a whole kg of any sort of sugar, but I don't think you will have ruined your brew by using demerara in fact I think you'll find it better than white sugar, it should leave a little residual flavour. The stout may be a little thinner bodied than desirable but it should be drinkable. I've got one in the FV at the moment and I used 1.5kg coopers dark malt extract syrup and 250g raw cane sugar, I tasted it this morning when I tested the SG and it's tasting very nice. Yours may taste slightly hoppier than mine, as mine will have more residual sweetness from the malt I used, but fear not yours will taste ok
Have a look at the sticky thread Ditch's stout master class at the top of the kit brewing forum page for precise instructions on brewing a perfect Coopers Stout.[/quote]

Cheers for that mate. I think I was more worried that I couldn't find an example anywhere online of anyone using a full Kg of Demerara.

As for Ditch's thread, Ive had a quick look through and looks superb. I'm going to see how this one turns out then perhaps start experimenting as I've got another Coopers Stout kit in the cupboard ready for when this one has finished fermenting.

[Geezah]

It will be fine, just maybe a little bit thin without the extra malt, and maybe a little bit drier on the tongue.

Coopers stout always needs a kilo of dark dme, and a mug of whatever sugar you have at hand and brewed short to 20/21l

Real session beer thats soooo easy to neck.

[RickMcCool]

I've opened the FV for the first time today to check the gravity and taste the Stout and I must say it tastes pretty good already. I'm sure after a few weeks conditioning it's going to be really nice!

No regrets using the Demerara at all!

[Geezah]

Conditioning???

As Ditch would say... 'keg it and get stuck in to it'

my last stout was 20 days from starting it to drinking it.

[Ditch]

Twenty Days ....?!? What the hell kept ye?!

[Geezah]

Twenty Days ....?!? What the hell kept ye?!

A keg of IPA

[rootsbrew]

Glad to hear it's turning out ok. In terms of household (as opposed to brewing) ingredients, try adding black treacle (red tin, like green golden syrup). It's about 2/3 glucose and has that rich, warming flavour that goes well in stouts.

It might be possible to add 200g now but you'd need to wait for it to ferment-out. Can anyone confirm/reject this suggestion?

[oldtom]

I think we`re missing the point here. Chuck 500g in. It`s not magic. Ditch knows what he`s talking about.

It`ll be the best move you ever make.

Paul.

[RickMcCool]

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies, I decided to bottle it using just a small amount of sugar (around 1/4 of teaspoon per 500ml bottle.) I tried one of the bottles last night and after 4 days I must say it tastes pretty much spot on.

It's got no head at all, will it stay like that because of the lack of priming sugar or will it produce a bit more head after a few more days or so?

[timbo41]

Not a ditch stout then.will stlll be good if a little thin and less "get amongstable" its a great kit can't go wrong with it really