my 1st brew in the glass

**unionrdr** · 03-12-2011, 08:38 PM

Ok,posted this in the wrong forum,so here we go again. I made the Cooper's OS lager kit that came with my "micro brew kit" (the new style one coming here in May is the "DIY kit" with bucket style FV). I brewed it straight up to establish a base line for color,flavor,head retention, etc. Here's a pic of it:http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss71/unionrdr/family%20fun/PICT0001.jpg
Great color,head lasts 'till about half glass. Great carbonation from the Cooper's carb tabs. Carbonation lasts right down to the last gulp. As it warmed a little,I could smell/taste a floral,earthy fruitiness to the malt profile. Some bitterness,but not much.
It reminds me of an English pale ale. The malt-forward ones. My wife really loves it! we have another convert! But,imo,it's just screaming for an ounce of Willamette hops. Still in all,due to it's golden/amber color,flavor,& pleasant effervescence,I'll be making this one again. Just kicked up one more notch for a go to brew.

**Pappers_** · 03-13-2011, 12:19 AM

Congrats! What kind of yeast came with your kit?

avidhomebrewer · 03-13-2011, 04:28 AM

Sweet looking brew! Get another going soon because this one will go quick!

**unionrdr** · 03-13-2011, 04:05 PM

Thanx for the comments. I used the ale yeast that came in the top of the Cooper's OS (Original Series) lager can. I pitched it dry. So it is indeed more of a malt-forward English pale ale. And yeah,it's going quick,so my wife will be brewing the next batch next week. Gotta get my Summer Pale in the bottles after it finishes dry hopping next weekend.
The lager kit was in primary for 12 days,bottle conditioned at 70F for 3 weeks,then into the fridge for 5 days. Patience worked out well here. Hope that gives y'all some indication of how to get a good brew out of these kits.
Just watch your wort mixing,aeration,& most of all,ferment temps for the yeast you're using. And good,thorough sanitizing.

*PS-Later that evening,I was pouring a glass of same for my wife while we watched some vids. That particular bottle gave a fine bubbled,thick,velvety head that was just like you'd get from a good German beer. Dang! I coulda had more! I guess I'll have to take pics of every pour to get the best example to show y'all.