Advice for Newbie / Coopers IPA

[JimbobFFC]

Hi,

I've just upgraded to a 5gal setup from Mr Beer.

I have various bits & bobs, and was hoping to get some advice on what I could put together, and how(specifically the DME (to boil or not to boil), the hops, & adding to the boil times...

I have the Coopers IPA HME (about 3.5lb can) and the generic yeast that comes with it.
East Kent Goldings Hops (100g)
Hallertau Hops teabag thing(20g)
2 x 1/2lb bags of light DME

I've been reading the Mr Beer thread (all 570+ pages) and other pages here, but I'm still unsure how to get the best out of what I have!

Thanks in advance!

 

[bootlegnjack]

Hi I'm at the same stage you are in brewing pretty much so bear that in mind.

I've just bought the Coopers IPA kit and some hops and DME to add to it so we are in a similar boat. I'm going to basically do a 20 min steeped hop addition with 50g galaxy in about 3L water which I'm hoping will maximize the fresh flavor and aroma as its already a bittered and hopped kit.

To that I'm going to add 1kg DME and 500g dextrose to up the OG swirl that all in with the kit and then fill up to about 20L not 23 L to again up the OG from the recipe.

Leave it for a week or two then dry hop with probably more galaxy or citra for a couple days.

I'm not going to make a wort to steep my hops in this time just going to use water.

 

[unionrdr]

You'll need to get a partial boil going to get flavor from the hops. 2.5-3.5 gallons will work. Add the plain DME to the boil & stir till dissolved. Then add the hops & boil for 15-20 minutes for flavor. Then chill the wort down to 20C or so. Top off to recipe volume with water chilled in the fridge a day or two before brew day. Use it to top off to recipe volume. This will get the wort down to 18C or so. Then pitch yeast,preferably re-hydrated. I've done this with a lot of Cooper's cans in the past.

 

[JimbobFFC]

At what stage do I add the can of extract, after the hops & dme boil?
Cheers

 

[rodwha]

If I understand correctly, what he meant was to make the DME and hops boil for about 20 minutes and chill. Then make the Coopers kit as the direction state and then use the chilled DME/hopped wort as the top off.

I've done something very similar when doctoring up the Mr Beer kits.

 

[rodwha]

If you cannot do this in a separate pot then you can boil the DME with your hop additions (15-20 mins for flavor and 0-7 mins for aroma), and when the time has expired add your Coopers can as instructed.

I'm not sure what type of IPA Coopers has, but those hops may clash.

 

[unionrdr]

I add the Cooper's can @ flame out. any flavor hop additions from 20 to about 8 minutes from end of boil with the plain DME. Dry hop for aroma.