Coopers IPA - change it up?

pretzelb · 08-27-2009, 11:43 PM

I have a can of the Coopers Brewmaster IPA that I need to brew before I can move something else. I was wondering if there is a way to enhance it, or, if it needed any enhancement? I have some hop pellets left over I could use or I could search for some specialty grains at the LHBS. Or I can just follow the can recipe and look forward to the next recipe.

Vic_Sinclair · 08-28-2009, 11:54 AM

I have used extra hop pellets with that kit with great results. If you have aroma hops, you can add them the last five minutes of the boil to give the beer a "fresher" hop aroma than you get from the can. Or, you could dry hop in secondary.

**petep1980** · 08-28-2009, 12:33 PM

For a 5.5 gallon batch and no supplement hops that can will get you around 42 IBU. That's on the low end of the style guidelines but it's still in.

It looks like you have TONS of room to move up. Do you like a punch in the face IPA or something a little more subtle?

For an American IPA I would be tempted to add another 4 pounds of DME, and some cascade finishing hops, and DEFINITELY as the previous poster some kind of dry hops.

Personally I wouldn't add hops, but most people like more IBU.

ManyBrews · 08-28-2009, 01:10 PM

i just made this as first batch according to directions. it has a clean lightly hopped taste in line with english style. easy drinker. would have been nice to have some aroma hops added and maybe some extra dme for a kick i think.

pretzelb · 08-29-2009, 03:34 PM

Well, one thing I wondered about was when adding aroma hops does it matter what kind you use? In cooking, you can't really say "add some spice" and use anything since not all spices work with all foods. So while I could throw in some left over aroma hops I have, I wasn't sure if you should try and match particular hops with the (in this case) kit extract.

carbon111 · 08-29-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petep1980

I would be tempted to add another 4 pounds of DME, and some cascade finishing hops, and DEFINITELY as the previous poster some kind of dry hops.

This would be my suggestion as well.

pretzelb · 08-29-2009, 07:09 PM

4 pounds of DME? Wow. That seems like a lot since my LHBS sells DME in pags of 2 pounds and it would roughly add another $20 to the cost. Should it be just light DME or extra light DME?

**petep1980** · 08-29-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pretzelb

4 pounds of DME? Wow. That seems like a lot since my LHBS sells DME in pags of 2 pounds and it would roughly add another $20 to the cost. Should it be just light DME or extra light DME?

How big is your fermenter?

With a lot of IBU's you'll need some extra gravity to help balance it out. I know the expense is high, but you'll get a lot more mileage out of a bigger beer like this.

I am going to assume 5.5 gallons into the fermenter.

If you add 2# DME your gravity should be around 1.039
If you add 3# DME your gravity should be around 1.047
If you add 4# DME your gravity should be around 1.055

I know it's an extra $10, but it'll be worth it.

As far as color I'd go with pretty much the lightest color they have. All my extract beers are always too dark either way.

What kind of yeast are you using?

BTW: To cut down on cost a little I snuck pilsen light DME in my English Bitter and saved a couple bucks. The 3# at LHBS was $11.79.

pretzelb · 08-30-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petep1980

How big is your fermenter?

With a lot of IBU's you'll need some extra gravity to help balance it out. I know the expense is high, but you'll get a lot more mileage out of a bigger beer like this.

I am going to assume 5.5 gallons into the fermenter.

If you add 2# DME your gravity should be around 1.039
If you add 3# DME your gravity should be around 1.047
If you add 4# DME your gravity should be around 1.055

I know it's an extra $10, but it'll be worth it.

As far as color I'd go with pretty much the lightest color they have. All my extract beers are always too dark either way.

What kind of yeast are you using?

BTW: To cut down on cost a little I snuck pilsen light DME in my English Bitter and saved a couple bucks. The 3# at LHBS was $11.79.

I'd be happy if it was only $10 but unless I'm missing something it's more like $20+ for 4# of DME and the can only cost $18 IIRC. I just checked AHS and they sell 5# for near $20 without the shipping and my LHBS sells 2# bags for around $12.

I'm not saying it won't be better, I'm just having sticker shock.

yeastluvr · 08-30-2009, 04:19 AM

I just brewed this up with the can of extract of course and 1 lb dextrose and 1 lb light DME. It definitely could use more hops. Its lacking a bit in flavor for me and I'm not big on hops myself.