Hi there.
I just joined the forum after reading a lot about brewing and finally decided to take the plunge and get a kit to try my hand at some amateur home brewing.
Here in South Africa we don't have much to offer the beer lover and after touring through Europe and loving all the rich ales and beers I decided I have to try and make something that is better than the commercial lagers they have here in South Africa, so this is what I did...
I bought an instant beer making kit a guy making them here. It's basically just a big plastic bucket with a tap on and thingy on top (cant remember the name now.) It's much like a home made version of the Coopers kit, I think.
I got two Coopers beer cans with it with the "malt extract" (not sure what you call it.). The one was the normal Coopers Lager and the other one Canadian Blond.
I decided to go with the normal "Coopers Lager" first.
This weekend (about 3 days ago.) I made my first batch. Following the instructions to the letter, I sanitized all my equipment and mixed the ready made can of Coopers Lager malt with hot water, stirring it. Then checking the temp, I cooled it down a bit to 28 degrees celcius, by adding a bit of cold water.
I used my hydrometer to measure the mixture. (1.042 gravity I think.)
Then I added the coopers yeast packet (7g) and quickly mixed it. I slapped on the lid, put the thingy (grommet?) on top with a bit of water in and put the whole bucket in my garage.
I put steriliser in my bottles and closed them until bottling day.
I then let it stand there for 3 days now. I have seen it bubbling a bit after the first day. Can't hear it bubbling now, except if I press slightly on the lid.
I am worried that the temperature in the garage was a bit too high for the first few days. We had an outside temperature of 35 degrees celcius for the first 2 days after I brewed. Don't know if the temperature in the garage is a bit lower. The stick on themometer isnt very accurate, as it is brown on 32 degrees and blue on 28 degrees. (which one is it?)
Anyway, my question now is when I should bottle it?
The instructions said 6 or 7 days. That means that it would be 6 days on Friday and 7 days on Saturday. Unfortunately, I am away camping for the whole weekend and won't be able to bottle it before Sunday.
I heard that you can leave it a bit longer. Should I bottle it on Thursday or rather leave it longer until Sunday or even Monday?
Other advice or hints and tips on how I can make this first batch better would be much appreciated. With this quick method, I hope that the beer would still taste decent.
BTW, what would the finished product be called? Would it be a lager, like the Coopers kit suggested?
Thanks for all help.
Bertus
I just joined the forum after reading a lot about brewing and finally decided to take the plunge and get a kit to try my hand at some amateur home brewing.
Here in South Africa we don't have much to offer the beer lover and after touring through Europe and loving all the rich ales and beers I decided I have to try and make something that is better than the commercial lagers they have here in South Africa, so this is what I did...
I bought an instant beer making kit a guy making them here. It's basically just a big plastic bucket with a tap on and thingy on top (cant remember the name now.) It's much like a home made version of the Coopers kit, I think.
I got two Coopers beer cans with it with the "malt extract" (not sure what you call it.). The one was the normal Coopers Lager and the other one Canadian Blond.
I decided to go with the normal "Coopers Lager" first.
This weekend (about 3 days ago.) I made my first batch. Following the instructions to the letter, I sanitized all my equipment and mixed the ready made can of Coopers Lager malt with hot water, stirring it. Then checking the temp, I cooled it down a bit to 28 degrees celcius, by adding a bit of cold water.
I used my hydrometer to measure the mixture. (1.042 gravity I think.)
Then I added the coopers yeast packet (7g) and quickly mixed it. I slapped on the lid, put the thingy (grommet?) on top with a bit of water in and put the whole bucket in my garage.
I put steriliser in my bottles and closed them until bottling day.
I then let it stand there for 3 days now. I have seen it bubbling a bit after the first day. Can't hear it bubbling now, except if I press slightly on the lid.
I am worried that the temperature in the garage was a bit too high for the first few days. We had an outside temperature of 35 degrees celcius for the first 2 days after I brewed. Don't know if the temperature in the garage is a bit lower. The stick on themometer isnt very accurate, as it is brown on 32 degrees and blue on 28 degrees. (which one is it?)
Anyway, my question now is when I should bottle it?
The instructions said 6 or 7 days. That means that it would be 6 days on Friday and 7 days on Saturday. Unfortunately, I am away camping for the whole weekend and won't be able to bottle it before Sunday.
I heard that you can leave it a bit longer. Should I bottle it on Thursday or rather leave it longer until Sunday or even Monday?
Other advice or hints and tips on how I can make this first batch better would be much appreciated. With this quick method, I hope that the beer would still taste decent.
BTW, what would the finished product be called? Would it be a lager, like the Coopers kit suggested?
Thanks for all help.
Bertus