The idea is that it works out around $30 for two cans of Coopers Pale Ale syrup, compared with closer to $50 for the ingredients for a partial or all grain recipe.
It's also far less time consuming when you're not dealing with grains, so if it works out ok, this could be a reasonable tactic.
The "recipe" and process for this pretty simple:
1. Buy two Coopers Pale Ale kits (about $15 each from the supermarket)
2. Get a few litres of water up to a boil on your stove - I used my 12l brew pot, so I boiled up around 7-8 litres
3. Pour in both cans of malt extract. Stir to prevent it burning on the bottom of the pot. Use some jug boiled water to get the last of the syrup out of the cans.
4. Boil for around 15 - 20 mins. - No hop additions. I'm relying purely on the hopped extract (although next time I'd no doubt add some flavouring and aroma hops.
5. Cool the pot in your ice/water bath down to under 30C (aim to get it down in 30 mins or less)
6. Carefully transfer the cooled wort to your sanitised fermenter and top up with boiled and cooled water to about 21 litres. - I actually topped up to 24 litres which should give me a lower strength beer of around 4% ABV.
7. Sprinkle both packets of the yeast that came with the kits.
8. Seal the fermenter, put it somewhere where the temp can stay consistently at about 21C for two weeks. - My temp controlled beer fridge is in use at the moment so I resorted to my old method of sitting the fermenter in a large bin surrounded by cold water, and with a soaked towel over the top.
I'll let you know how this one goes. I certainly liked the fact it only took me around 1 1/2 hours all up, compared to 3 - 4 hours for a recipe with grains and hops. Also, not having to buy hops and yeast separately saves on the cost.
Well, it's been 11 days in the primary and it's clearing up ok. I'll bottle it this weekend. A sample taste indicates it's way more bitter than I'd expected. Just found the IBUs online and at 34 IBU (times that by 2), I think this is going to end up too bitter.
ReplyDeleteA better approach may have been to go with one can plus 1kg of Light DME. In a 19 litre batch, this would give me a 4.4% beer (OG 1.046, FG 1.012) with approx 34 IBUs.
I'll post another update once it's been bottled for a couple of weeks.
I've been drinking this young for the past few days. I actually dry hopped it with 10g of NZ Hallertau. I couldn't help myself.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a wee bit too bitter from using the two cans. But it's still quite drinkable. It's not a beer I'll be swapping with my mates, but it's ok.
Would I do it again? Only if I need to get a brew down quickly and I don't have time for a proper brew evening. Also, I'd go 1 can plus 1kg Light DME.