Coopers brewkit instructions seem wrong...

sohungry · Jan 29, 2013

I just started brewing lager (not the best first brew!) with the Coopers kit, and have been following the instructions for the past nine days, but am now realizing how different their instructions are from everything I've read online! They've had me keeping it at 64-90F (it's been at a steady 73 for the past few days, but was a bit variable in the beginning while I tried to find a good spot (ranging 63-77, but mostly in the high 60s). Now I read that lagers (and most beers, I guess) need a much lower temperature. Further, their timeframe is 4-6 days for primary fermentation and then to do secondary fermentation in the bottles for a week (although they vaguely admit longer would be better).

I got suspicious about it a few days ago and did some research, but didn't want to stray too far from their recipe so I just dropped the temp a few degrees and waited on bottling. I know I haven't RUINED the beer, but I'm sure it's not ideal.

My question is, at this point should I just continue following their directions by bottling now, or should I put the fermenter in a colder place and give it more time? Currently, the krausen kollar is is still on, and covered in sediment, but there is almost no krausen whatsoever. OG was 1.036 and now is 1.013. Forums seem to say following their instructions is fine, but I'm skeptical. I appreciate any and all input, I'm comfortable with making a mediocre first brew, but the better the better!

defdans · Jan 29, 2013

Take another gravity reading in a day. If it's still 1.013, then should be safe to bottle. If it moves, wait until the gravity doesn't change over 2-3 days. Or if you're really patient, just wait a few more days. My first batch i just waited 3 full weeks before bottling. From what i've read, being patient will simply result in a better beer. So if that's your primary goal, give it a little extra time.

If the gravity is still changing when you bottle (meaning it's still fermenting), then you could end up with a mess. As long as you avoid that, you'll be okay.

unionrdr · Jan 29, 2013

OK,first of all,the Cooper's Original Series Lager (I call'em OS for short) isn't a true lager,as it comes with their 7g ale yeast packet. From all the beers I've made with Cooper's as a base,64-69F is a good range for their yeast. Rehydrated properly,their 7g ale yeast packet works as vigorously as Fermentis US-05 pitched dry. This comes from a side by side experiment I did some time ago.
So high 60'sF is ok,but since it started out too warm,let it reach FG. Then give it a week to clean up by products of fermentation & settle out clear or slightly misty. Cooper's ale yeast is high flocculation,so it should settle out quite clear.
Then give the bottles 4 weeks at at least 70F to carb & condition. Then a week fridge time to let any chill haze settle out,& get good carbonation & head. With 2 weeks fridge time,it'll have thicker head,& longer lasting,fine bubbled carbonation in the glass. :mug:

sohungry · Jan 29, 2013

Thanks for the quick responses both of you! It has been at FG for 4-5 days, there are almost no bubbles going on, and is still a little bit cloudy. I plan on bottling it in 3 days, should I be concerned with the temperature at this point, now that primary ferm is pretty much complete? Also, you said to keep it at 70F min after bottling, but should I aim for even higher?

DaNewf · Jan 30, 2013

The instructions on the Cooper's canned beer kits aren't "wrong" but they are geared towards making the beer as quickly, easily and cheaply as possible.

If a potential new brewer picked up a can and read: "Ferment at ~18C for three weeks followed by a 4 week bottle conditioning period. Refridgerate for 1-2 weeks before consuming. Required but not included: $10-$20 worth of LME/DME" that person just might put the can back on the shelf and go buy a six pack.