Coopers Micro Brew Kit (Lager Kit) Temp Issue

[Chewy107]

Hello everyone from America,

I'm excited to start my first brew. I've read all the instructions, viewed the dvd, even checked out some youtube videos but still have no answer on my tempature issue. The instructions clearly states the temp needs to be between 21c to 27c. The temp seems to be stuck on 20c. The brewing process is only two in. Does the thermometer take a few hours to register? Should I be concerned about the 20c reading?

Another issue just aroused. I forgot to add the sediment reducer to my plastic tap. Is there any way to adding this without spilling all my beer out? Please help! Thanks in advance!

[Beer O'Clock]

20 degrees is fine. Leave it, and let the yeasties get on with what they do best - make alcohol.

As far as the sediment reducer is concerned, sorry, you have no way of attaching it without removing the tap as the back of the tap is shrouded in the Cooper's FV. This will allow a little bit of sediment to escape but it will not make a huge difference in the end. Just be a little more conscious of movement before bottling/kegging.

[Chewy107]

That is a relief! Thank you so much for your quick response. I looked at the temp and it has risen to 24 degrees. I have a beach towel wrapped around it. I'm really excited and already planning my next batch. Whole foods here I come!

[Geezah]

Your worried about high temps, Here in the UK were using aquarium heaters to keep our brews at 20c.
I had 1 bucket in the shed that was sanitising freeze solid this week.

As Beer O'Clock said, let it do its thing for 7-10 days then check in on it.
Keep an eye on the temps, you dont want them going above 22c ideally, wont be bad, but it will affect the flavour slightly.

[Chewy107]

When should I see this airlock begin to bubble? Its been around 3 hrs. I believe I sealed the airlock correctly.

[Beer O'Clock]

Don't concern yourself too much with the airlock. It's a pleasant distraction, nothing else. It can take anything from 40 min up to 36 hours before fermentation starts so relax and pour yourself something cold and refreshing.

Three things to remember when starting out
1. Sanitise
2. Patience
3. More patience.

We all go through it, but try to relax and let it do it's thing. We all become like expectant fathers. Do not stress.
Over time it becomes easier.

The best thing I found to distract me from my current brew was to start planning my next.

But remember patience will make your brewing far more enjoyable.

[Chewy107]

I will take your advice. Thanks!

[Manx Guy]

I got the same kit when I started out...

Unless you get a really good seal the airlock wont bubble but the CO2 will escape though the thread on the lid.

After 24 hours you should see a nice foamy head appear... if you see this then all is dfine whatever the airlock does/doesnt do..

but as stated before be patient and dont do anything rash....

then after 7 days you can take a hydro reading and then act accordingly...

If I were you I'd leave it in the FV for 10 days to let as much yeast settle as possible (as you didnt fit the sediment reducer)
This is assuming your FV is in a position that you can bottle from with out moving it.

Good luck & happy brewing!

Guy

[Chewy107]

I'm pretty sure I sealed the airlock correctly. My water pipe (bong ) has the same type of seal to hold the slide. Before I left my weekend house for the city. I took a reading on my hydrometer and it was at the beer level and saw a nice foamy head like they show on the dvd. Now, I have a new issue. My lovely wife turned off almost all the heat in the house exempt the bathrooms and the room I have my brew kit. And she lowered the temp to 55 degrees F on the thermostat. Which is like 13 degrees C. I feel like strangling her. I pay the bills dammit! I even took the towel off the barrel bc it reached 26c on Sunday. DAMN DAMN DAMN! I'm not heading back to the lake house till Friday. This beer is starting to become a big beer ice pop! I checked the weather and it going to be -6c tomorrow. I have it right under the heater. Im hoping that would keep it to at least 20 degrees c.

I got the same kit when I started out...

Unless you get a really good seal the airlock wont bubble but the CO2 will escape though the thread on the lid.

After 24 hours you should see a nice foamy head appear... if you see this then all is dfine whatever the airlock does/doesnt do..

but as stated before be patient and dont do anything rash....

then after 7 days you can take a hydro reading and then act accordingly...

If I were you I'd leave it in the FV for 10 days to let as much yeast settle as possible (as you didnt fit the sediment reducer)
This is assuming your FV is in a position that you can bottle from with out moving it.

Good luck & happy brewing!

Guy

[Andris]

20C is actually a perfect temperature for brewing ales (oddly enough, Coopers Lager is a one too), so don't worry about it too much and, if possible, try not to meddle with it too much, leave for 10-14 days in fermenter, then take HG readings - if you get two identical in two days, bottle it. If you have 0.5l bottles (mine came with those), use 2 carbonation drops per bottle, will give you lagerish fizz, one IMHO is too little - mebbe suitable for heavier brews.

here is what I got from my experience - if you keep temps at optimum, you get less odd smells while brew is young - meaning, that it will take less time for yeasties to clean up the mess and the beer is ready for drinking (after bottling) sooner, if you have higher temperatures - yeasties will make some extra smells (not necesserily unpleasant) and it can take about month in bottles for them to go away.

In any case, Coopers Lager is very easy and really nice drink (for a summer )...

another 2c - get a next one going right after bottling cause you will have to clean fermenter anyway, and why not make a next batch while you are at it - have to wash n clean all the stuff anyway...

Coopers make good kits, so have a little faith and patience (and beer) and dont panic - it is really hard to screw the brew up - if you follow the sanitation requirements and temperatures!

P.S.

if fermentation process is complete, nothing bad will happen to the brew if temperature drops - it will make yeasties to settle down and make your brew crystal clear. If its not done, yeast will resume its work once temperature gets back on in "hungry" levels - for ale yeast, below 16C is when yeast stops fermenting. Another thing - dont worry if you have to leave your brew for a longer period of time - from my experience, month in primary fermentation wont hurt it at all, in fact it will make it very very good.

[Chewy107]

Thanks for all the great advice. Seriously, you guys are the nicest ppl around. I really appreciate all the replies and advice. I obviously need a whole lot to learn.

I am planning on ordering the Irish Stout. I like a dark beer. I'm a new castle/sam adams (winter lager) drinker.

[Andris]

Check the Ditch's post about stout - pinned up there, I think there is whole handbook on the matter. Coopers Dark ale is a nice one too, but it took mine 2 months to become really really good.

[Chewy107]

Well, I just arrived from a week away and the temp on the FV dropped to 16c. I was hoping it would stay at 20c. Its been a cold winter in PA and I left the thermo a little to low. Im on my 7th day and hydrometer reads 1020. I'm lookin for a 1008-1010. right? I'll warm up the room and be patient. I'm going to give it a good 10-14 days. Any advice? tips? I know patience!!! Should I keep the temp at 16c? It will go down to 1008 or did the cold weather ruin the batch?

[Andris]

you should warm it up to 20-22C (70F), keep in mind that brew has inertia - it will take longer for it to warm to that temp than air around it, check gravity reading in 2-3 days.

if I recall correctly, I got that one down to 1.010.

have you tasted sample?

P.S.

how long did it fermented at 70F to begin with? how many days before it chilled down?

I recall funny thing - this kit finished fermenting in like 3-4 days, after that it basically conditioned, no changes in gravity, just settling down and clearing up and the funny part was that my hydrometer was faulty - gave me 1.020 on all brews (yes it was coopers )

so, if your brew is crystal clear, bit gassy and tastes without any sugary sweetness in it, I would say its done. Especially, if you plan to bottle it in PET bottles that came with the kit. you might want to spend few $ to get "second opinion" - get another hydrometer.

[Chewy107]

I just took another reading and it reads 1020. ?? I do see condensation in the airlock and tons of bubbles on the top of the fermentor. Could it still be fermenting after 7 days?

I started the process last week Sat Dec. 11. The temp was at 24c. I left Sunday night it looked like it was fermenting. Airlock had condensation and the thick white foam on top of the fermentor. During the week my fermentor dropped to 16c. I hoping it took the week to drop down to that temp. The thermostat was left at 16c. Today the temp is back to 24c. Im trying to keep it down to 20c. Should I wait till there is no condensation/bubblings? Thanks again for answering my newbie questions. I am looking for my answers on the board and google search without success.