brewing temp

[dynomax]

I have a KIT of Coopers Pilsner on the go. the instructions say to keep the temp between 19 and 24, or 25 degrees C.

I assume this KIT must be using an ale yeast, brewing at those temperatures..


Do you think i should keep the heat belt on it? the heat belt makes it run about 23 or 24. the room is only at about 18.

is 24 too hot for a coopers pilsner kit?

Thx

[fuji6100]

If you are using the coopers Pils kit, IIRC it comes with their standard ale yeast. 18C may be a little low for these guys. I brewed my first 5-6 batches with coopers ale yeast and they seemed to love it around 72-74 F (22-23 C).

Coopers works well as an all around dry ale yeast, but it leaves a yeasty aftertaste that only goes away after about 6-8 weeks in the bottle. I've switched to Munton & Fison dry ale yeast (less than a doller per pack) and toss the pack that comes with the coopers' kit and am happier with the flavor. You may be like my friend who spent a lot of time in Germany and actually like the yeasty aroma/aftertaste, so decide what you like best and go with it :)

Make sure to use a starter with the coopers, as they really don't like to be pitched dry. The first batch I ever made I just threw the dry yeast in and it took about 36 hours to get rolling. Using a starter I got lagtimes as short as 7 hours!

Good luck and happy brewing!

[shughes600]

I can't recommend anything on what temp to brew at. However, I can tell you that fermentation is exothermic (it releases heat). If you simply wrap your ferementer in a sweater or something you should easily contain the 8 degrees F that you pick up from fermentation. Just in case you wanted to save some electricity.

[dynomax]

fuji6100:

Yeah, this is my first coopers kit actually. I do not enjoy the yeasty aftertaste at all, and is one of the biggest complaints that i receive from my beer.

I find that using finings can somewhat reduce these, and leaving it in a secondary fermenter for a long time helps (as would leaving in the bottle i assume)

Perhaps i will try Fision yeast.

I am very happy with muntons kits, i have brewed about 15 of them so far. Very pleased. Also very pleased with the Brewmaker kits i have purchased.

Have you experimented with Liquid Yeast?

[fuji6100]

I haven't tried liquid yeasts yet, especially since i mail order everything and the shortest delivery time I've ever had is 3 days.

Eventually I think I will switch, but right now I'm trying to change one variable at a time so I can experience the effect it has on the taste. If I change lots of things all at once, I won't be able to pin down what changed the flavor. I'm satisfied with the Munton & Fison yeast for now.

Don't let the coopers yeast turn you away from their kits. I've tried the Nut brown, Wheat, IPA, and stout with great results. I figure the extra 95 cents it costs to switch yeasts is worth it to me.

How long have you been brewing? I'm relatively new myself (around 6 months)

[paul84043]

The liquid yeasts are well worth the extra 4$. I have ordered kits that have taken a full week to get to me and they have all turned out fine. Obviously it would be better to find one closer to you if possible, bit don't let mailing time deter you from using the liquid yeast.

[dynomax]

I've been brewing for about 8 months. I did it a year ago, but only 2 kits. I've brewed about 15 or 20 kits now.

I Haven't experimented a lot. It takes a long time to see your results, and unless yoiu try the same kit, varrying one thing, its hard to really tell what you're changing, and how it effects the kit.

I'm just trying to experiment and find what kits i like the best.

Muntons so far is the winner.

I'm working on Cooper kits and Beermaker kits.

I've got a Coopers Pilsner on the go right now. its cooking away like mad. I put it on Sunday night, it was at 1.040 SG and now its at 1.020

Do you use a hydrometer? I didnt at first, but now i use one in every batch. I sterilize it, and leave it right in the primary fermenter. (along with the thermometer)

I'm lucky, we have a lot of brew equipment in this city, for a small city, the selection is great.