TB, that vegimite thing is not good, it sounds like the yeast is eating itself... a bit unusual if there is sugar left. Perhaps the FNQ weather is too hot or possible infection. Suggest cooling it down a bit, this advice is for Texstu as well, sit it in a tray which you can fill with water and ice, drape a towel over it that is dipped into the water and then you have an outback fridge, top up the ice a few times a day.
Mind you the Coopers kits work fine at around 22*c most of mine are brewed at that temp.
Yes, I was going to say something about vegimite sounding like (the dreaded) peanut butter but trying not to be a 'sea-lawyer' and spout off, being a n00b and all.
Tex, with regards to dry hopping i usually use 25-50 gms which apparently is less than 3oz but my conversions are not great, so i would suggest 6gms may be a bit much.
I have six 28gm packets. Elsewhere I believe I have read to use 6-8oz for ~6 gallons (obviously ~23 liters for a batch). So 1-2 packets? That works for me.
I am moving to BIAB next year which involves using a bag similar to a dry hopping bag but larger putting 5kilos of grain in it and putting it in an electric urn of 40liters capacity, boiling for around 2 hours (add hops for the last 20 mins) and you are left with the wort afterward. You can still dry hop the wort.
BIAB = Boil in a bag? That's a bit longer than the normal 60 mins, eh? Why so long?
The Blue Moon US micro clone) I'd like to attempt (for my wife & I) involves a boil (with standard triple 'hop dip') I believe. I want to get a few batches out and at least a taste or two of something I've let season a bit.
I was looking for a US distrib. of the Coopers Sparkling Ale but it's either not an international export (yet) or nobody I've looked at of their retailers (
Cascadia Imports) which I finally figured out is the importer and makebeer.net is one of their retailers. We'll see who I 'adhere' to who will get me what I want from the Coopers line, eh?
As for the marbles i would think not as you would drop the hop bag into the trub and it may block the bag up. i throw my hops on top, i don't mind a bit of green stuff in my bottle, anyhow let the bag float on top, it will probably sink after a while anyhow.
Ok, I can do loose or in a bag. /shrug
Tomheff thanks for your insight into the yeasts, I find the Coopers yeast can leave aftertaste if it is drunk too early but after a month in the bottle it is great. Oh i also used a Weizen yeast with the Coopers Larger kit and it made a really funky brew, dry hopped with 25gms Hersbrucker.
I have only one beef with Coopers, they advertise using sugar not dex or dme in their kits, almost everyone complains about the cidery taste afterwards.... Otherwise great gear, and good beer on tap too.
When I got mine it came with (of course) the lager and 'brewing sugar' (Dextrose, Maltodextrin) and I wish I knew how much of each, just for experimentation.
Anyways, my first batch (as I have mentioned) I substituted the Australian Pale Ale (and it's yeast packet) for the lager and the 'Brew Enhancer 2' (Dextrose, Light Dry Malt, Maltodextrin) for the 'brewing sugar'.
There a pretty good presentation of why they do that by the US distributor (
HERE) and the 5 points he covers at least explained (to ME) why they choose to do what they do (as well as to catch that 'easy button' audience?
).
I am reserving judgement until I have a chance to play it their way and play with some recipes (which is mainly why I'm disappointed I do not find someone in the USA who carries their 'full' line of product). Oh well! If they hook you and reel you in and then let you get off their 'hook' to go off and get caught by some other producer don;t come crying to ME!
Obviously it's about creation, creativity and imagination, right? I would not be too surprised if someone sees additional 'niche audiences' within the superset.
Thanks for the reply! Sorry mine was soooo wordy. LOL