Cheap pre-hopped kit - Boil?

[cnapierala]

I have a Coopers kit and was wondering if people usually mix in the water and malt extract to boil up? It says on the instructions to just dump some how water in with the malt and then add cold water to bring it to temp. but it seams like it would be a good idea to bring all of it to boil to make sure the water is clean. Thoughts?

 

[Yooper]

I think if you boil the pre-hopped kits, you'd lose the flavoring and aroma hops. You could boil and cool your water, to make sure it's sanitary, then make up your kit.

Or, if you wanted to boil the kit, you could always add some more hops for flavor and aroma additions.

 

[Lonek]

I did a Cooper's Wheat and brought about 2 gallons plus the ingredients up to 160 and held for about 10 mins then dumped into primary with top off water. Worked out well. Can said no boiling but I felt the need to at least cook it a little.

Edit: I made sure mine didn't boil.

 

[cnapierala]

I think if you boil the pre-hopped kits, you'd lose the flavoring and aroma hops. You could boil and cool your water, to make sure it's sanitary, then make up your kit.

I like that idea. I think thats what ill do.

Im hoping this turns out ok. Id like to have a cheap, light beer on tap for the light beer drinkers or for Nascar Sundays

 

[homebrewer_99]

I like that idea. I think thats what ill do.

Im hoping this turns out ok. Id like to have a cheap, light beer on tap for the light beer drinkers or for Nascar Sundays

Cheap ain't always good...

 

[Orfy]

It's sometimes cheaper and easier to go buy a case of store bought crap rather than to brew it yourself.

 

[homebrewer_99]

It's sometimes cheaper and easier to go buy a case of store bought crap rather than to brew it yourself.

Especially if you're in a hurry and your brew's not ready...

 

[cnapierala]

It's sometimes cheaper and easier to go buy a case of store bought crap rather than to brew it yourself.

I hear that loud and clear. But i figured why not give it a shot. I only have $13 to loose and im sure i will drink it unless it makes me sick. I am willing to bet i have drank worse.

 

[Orfy]

It's a learning curve and if you don't brew you don't learn.

Go for it.

 

[cnapierala]

It's a learning curve and if you don't brew you don't learn.

Go for it.

That is true.

 

[cnapierala]

FYI, the beer turned out Ok. 2.4% alcohol which is about = to drinking water. Flavor is ok with a lime. I think ill try something different for a budget beer next time. LMK if anyone has any recipies for a light flavored beer around4-5%.

 

[veggiess]

That's strange it turned out so low (and it was so cheap). How much malt did you add? That kit always costs me over $20 with the can and DME. It also usually tastes quite good, and winds up just under 5%. I make it about twice a year when it's really hot because it's quick, tasty & doesn't require standing in front of a hot stove for a couple hours.

 

[lackofstyl]

I made this for the beach.. it was a nice clean tasting blonde and refreshing in the hot sun

Type: Partial Mash
Date: 4/7/2007
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Brewer:
Boil Size: 6.66 gal Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: My Equipment
Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0 Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.0
Taste Notes:

Ingredients

Amount Item Type % or IBU
3.00 lb Light Dry Extract (8.0 SRM) Dry Extract 42.9 %
2.50 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 35.7 %
1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM) Grain 14.3 %
0.50 lb Carafoam (2.0 SRM) Grain 7.1 %
1.00 oz Hallertauer [4.80%] (60 min) Hops 18.8 IBU
0.50 oz Hallertauer [4.80%] (15 min) Hops 4.7 IBU
0.50 oz Hallertauer [4.80%] (0 min) (Aroma Hop-Steep) Hops -
0.25 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 15.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs California Ale (White Labs #WLP001) Yeast-Ale



Beer Profile

Est Original Gravity: 1.048 SG
Measured Original Gravity: 1.010 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.011 SG Measured Final Gravity: 1.005 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 4.8 % Actual Alcohol by Vol: 0.6 %
Bitterness: 23.5 IBU Calories: 43 cal/pint
Est Color: 6.2 SRM Color: Color


Mash Profile

Mash Name: Single Infusion, Light Body Total Grain Weight: 4.00 lb
Sparge Water: 5.09 gal Grain Temperature: 72.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F TunTemperature: 72.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: TRUE Mash PH: 5.4 PH

Name Description Step Temp Step Time
Mash In Add 5.00 qt of water at 170.1 F 150.0 F 75 min
Mash Out Add 3.20 qt of water at 203.5 F 168.0 F 10 min



Mash Notes: Simple single infusion mash for use with most modern well modified grains (about 95% of the time).
Carbonation and

 

[grasshopper1917]

2.4 percent - I make alot of coopers kits but ive never had one turn out that low???? What kinda beer was it - errrr i should say what kinda kit?

 

[Fingers]

What kinda beer was it - errrr i should say what kinda kit?

Ooh! I felt that one.