Newbie brewing Coopers Lager

[smiffster]

Help done my first ever brew on Coopers Lager - brewed it for 6-7 days (it smelled absolutely gorgeous) and took all the readings with the hydrometer and got 2 steady readings over 24 hours, bottled the stuff in 2 ltr clear pet bottles after priming each with 2 oversized teaspoons of sugar (instructions said 1 rounded teaspoon per 750ml) inverted the bottles 6 or 7 times to mix the sugar and have now left them at room temperature to carbonate - these have been stood now for 5 days but it looks flat and cloudyish - about 2 inches of liquid at the top has cleared - Have i done anything wrong ??

[beesley121]

did you put the sugar in some water first, and then zap it in the microwave till it boils?? This is done to kill any baddies on the sugar first before addition.

Also it will take around 5 -7 to carbonate! and then it should be put somewhere cold. I put mine in my shed and within a week or two its crystal clear without the use of finnings. Dont be in a rush mate to drink it. Trust me, the longer you wait before you drink it, the better it will taste

[smiffster]

Hi m8 thanks for the advice - No i didnt mix the sugar with water im a brewing virgin this is my first attempt - i ve got another brew of lager on the go now so i ll remember for next time. Checked the bottles again last night and they were pretty much clear but still look flat - They ve been at room temp. now since last Friday. There must be some gas in the bottles as the plastic is pretty resistant when pressed !! Fingers crossed anyways.

[beesley121]

dont be worrying mate about it being carbonated, it will be fine.

more CO2 will move into solution the colder the beer is so hence why I said the best place is outside at this time of year

[smiffster]

Thanks for the advice much appreciated - i ll put them in the shed tonight as the temp. outside i now dropping.

[wetdog]

the beer will always 'look' flat while its in the bottles. go into any supermarket and take a look at their beer - no head, no bubbles rising until they're opened so don't worry, the sugar is doing its work unseen
I first started brewing 20 years ago and I've always put sugar in bottles and kegs without heating it in water first so I wouldnt worry about that too much. Heating is the ideal but I've never had any problems although I do it now because I've gone all grain and you don't want to be taking any risks at all when you've spent 6 or so hours making your brew...

[randomdave]

I did the coopers lager kit. It was a doddle to do. I mixed the priming sugar in some water nuked it for 2 mins an let it cool added it to the bucket before bottling.

Ive had mine bottled for about 2 weeks (nearly run out now ) I wouldnt worry too much about it clearing mine in the pet bottles has the look of lucozade but tastes pretty good for a first attempt. Most people advocate leaving it a couple of weeks to mature but im impatient. Altho drinking one first day after bottling was like drinking pop cos of all the sugar (didnt stop me tho)

[smiffster]

Thanks all, the advice is much appreciated - i collected all 10 bottles last night from the spare room and all 10 were very clear and a lovely golden colour , i popped 2 in the Fridge (trying it tonight) and the rest in the shed outside. Took a reading off my other brew which has been going since last friday and thats down to 1002 so another steady reading tonight and that can be bottled !!