TexasStu

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Hi,

I just got a Cooper's Kit (w/Lager, IPA & 'Real Ale batches)

I have questions:

1) Anyone who has tried this 'self-contained' kit comments/feedback?

It seems like a good kit, easy to use and all that. Specifically looking for other's compliments/comments/roadblocks/issues with them.

2) PET (plastic) bottle feedback (good or bad?)

I am sure those who are 'old school' will recommend glass over plastic for it's plusses. Right now I see more plusses with the plastic (sani, no capping, no breakage, etc.) as a viable alternative to standard or growler bottles

Thanks and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
may your next brew always be better than the one before!

Texas Stu

Edcculus

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The self contained systems are ok for learning. If you want to keep brewing, you will probably want to get some other equipment to at least do some extract batches.

Is your question on glass vs plastic for bottling or fermenting? A glass fermenter is always perfered over a plastic. Easier to clean, do not harbor bacteria, good for longer strage. As for bottling, I always go with glass. They sell glass pop top bottles at every grocery store. The great thing is they come with free beer inside them.

Good luck on the first kit.

Kilgore_Trout

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Their kits are fine, they all taste good. The IPA is not that impressive but it's by no means bad... still went quick .

Their bottles work fine, but they get a bit expensive if you stock up. I've had a few of the caps work their way off because of pressure so make sure you tighten well.

TexasStu

Recipes 

Thanks for the reply!
My bottling question was for bottling.
The Cooper's kit has a nice (rounded bottom/sides) primary fermenter (with spigot, seals, sediment-reducer & airlock( - see: Coopers Microbrewery Kit | Beer Making Kit

Secondary fermentation (according to the kit) is done while in bottles.
Obviously the plastic bottles are not suited for longterm (over 6 mos.? but recommended by others as fine unless over a year?).

The kit/system is 4-6 days in primary fermenter tand then 7-14 days (minimum) in bottles.

I'm sure I will play with various methods and equipment. The Coopers kit (now distributed in the USA) which originated in Australia from the brewery of the same name I picture as more of a 'get your feet wet'/disposable solution for 1st time users.

I would be very interested in hearing from ANYONE who has one and has used it (even fairly consistantly for several batches and over time.

TeufelBrew

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Still using my Coopers Primary a year later. I made the 'lager' it came with and switched to LHBS kits after that. Don't do anything that can scratch the inside and you have a great fermenter.

Read "How to Brew" online or buy "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" and follow the directions from those sources. The kit directions are guaranteed to confuse and discourage.

Those PET bottles are really good for telling you when your beer is well carbonated. The plastic becomes very rigid and there is no flex when you squeze. Yes, make sure you put the lids on good and tight and check them once in a while.

Welcome to the obsession.! If you're married, remember to pay at least a little attention to your wife once in a while. Brewing will take over your life. A year ago, I got the kit. Now I brew AG, keg my own and built a keggerator to serve 3 beers on tap.

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TexasStu

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Thanks Kilgore! I sure appreciate hearing positives about the Cooper's kit!
I'm antsy to get home and sanitize, looking to start a batch this weekend!
I did get a bottle of their sanitizer (sodium percarbonate) as seen HERE.

I have enough supplies to make 2 batches and just lack the additional bottles to produce a 3rd batch. Obviously I doubt I will have emptied the 1st batch before I am ready to bottle the 3rd batch so I was looking at bottle info specifically (at this time) to make an additional purchase (enough for 23 liters).

I am also trying to figure out a good bottle-racking/storage solution to organise and store bottled batches prior to drinking/refridgerating. That is not nearly as urgent of course.

I'm just trying to do it 'right' (with what I have) so I don't have initial adverse results that might 'turn me off' to continuing brewing.

I've been a lover of microbrews, pale ales and such for decades. One of my favorite purchases is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (and related brews by them). I love a hopsy brew.
I want to produce tasty variations as well, eventually (summer ales, winter ales, seasonals, etc.) and I think I went a good way with the Cooper's kit (based on reviews) to get the best quality for ease of use and lack of available brewing space in my home based on what others have previously written. I hope I made a good choice and it gives me at least a year's worth of batches before I feel I need to 'expand'/restructure.

TexasStu

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Thanks Teufel!

I think they have revamped the kit somewhat. Mine came with a DVD of the instructions (as well as the printed user manual). Seems rather straight-forward but I do have a question about the 'invert bottles 4 times' part of the instructions. Not mentioned at all in the DVD. Slow flip 4 times right after capping OR 'stationed' and 4 inverts over the entire 'secondary fermentation' period? (1-2 weeks?) They don't tell you. perhaps you can shed light on that?

Revvy

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Here's a great article from Oz.Craftbrewer.com, on how to make the best beer with cooper's kits...It's from Australia, the home of coopers, and from the craftbrewer radio guys.

Improving Your Kit

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I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac! - YooperBrew

TexasStu

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Thanks Revvy! I'll take a look!

Saccharomyces

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I would seriously use those Coopers fermenters as my primaries if I could find some! Those are frickin' nice looking vessels!! I am stuck with ghetto food grade plastic pails with lids.

To clean a plastic fermenter give it a good 2 day soak with Oxyclean solution, 1 half scoop per gallon/4L. After the soak, pour off half of the solution and shake up the fermenter really well for 30 seconds to remove any remaining stuck-on goop. Then dump and rinse really well with hot tap water. Voila, clean fermenter with no scrubbing. If there is any residue left after all that, I just use my finger to gently rub it off while running water over the spot. If you can't reach inside a few paper towels tossed in and then shaken with a little bit of hot water will usually loosen it right up. With this method you don't scratch your plastic and you will get years of service from it!

As long as you wait 2-3 weeks before bottling you will have little residue in the bottles so no worries about no secondary vessel. Bottling in plastic is fine. Soda bottles generally don't work well because they aren't meant to be reused, but I have found that you can reuse 1L seltzer bottles over and over, as they have much thicker walls. My grocer also sells cheap flavored carbonated water beverage in very thick walled plastic. For 50c each I drink the contents and reuse the 1L bottles. Location says SE Texas if you have HEB I'm talking about the HEB flavored carbonated waters.


Cheers

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