extract kit help

[alexcage]

so i open a cooper extract kit and i keep finding conflicting information. the kit i found at http://www.brewgadgets.com/coopersinstructionsaustralian.htm
my questions are, do i need hops or anything after the content of the kit, and this web page lacks a boiling step. I have looked at the sticky message about extract brewing and it makes me think am missing something.

thanks

 

[edb23]

coopers kits are pre hopped extract kits that do not require a boil. just throw the extract and extra sugar or whatever it comes with in with a gallon of boiling water stir and top off with a few gallons of cold water.

Do you need to add extra stuff? no. will it be better if you do? most definitely.

Which kit do you have, it'll be easier to make suggestions if you let us know.

 

[Priemus]

What you have is a basic no boil coopers kit.

The instructions just say to add a kg of sugar, 20 leters of water, and ferment for a week.

You can add 1kg of dextrose (not table suger) ferment it 1 month and youll have beer.

But, if you want it better use Dried malt extract instead of the normal sugar, if you have access to hops then buy some and boil the kit for 20 minutes with hops, and add some more after 15 minutes.

Then it will be pretty good beer.

 

[shawnbou]

Coopers extract kits are pre-hopped and designed to be mixed up with hot water and sugar and not boiled. However, there's a lot of discussion on the board about how to make the kits better by deviating from the directions.

In short, you don't have to boil or add hops, but many have done so and been happier with the results.

EDIT: I guess I need to learn to multitask faster when typing responses at work. A couple of people already beat me to the response.

 

[unionrdr]

I've been playing around with cooper's kits since buying their "micro brew kit". It'll be replaced in this country in May with the "DIY" kit. I like the "micro brew" FV better,myself.
Anyway,The cooper's beer kits are indeed pre-hopped. So do not boil them,or you'll loose some of the hop/flavor profile. I make a "hop tea" in 1 1/4G-2G of boiling water for 15mins. Take the BK off the stove,pull the bagged hops out & let drain with sanitized tongs. Then mix in some DME (to style,if so desired),then the cooper's can,brewing sugar,whatever. Stir very thoroughly to incorporate. It'll foam up a little,but that's normal. Slap a lid on it & allow to steep for 15mins or so while sanitizing the FV,etc. Then mix to 23L (typical cooper's wort amount).
Some have even cut the total amount down to 20-21L to get more body/alcohol. But,since I like to add other things (like DME,hops,maybe a little brewing sugar),I go all the way to 23L. I still get good beer.
By the way,the cooper's brewing sugar is better than the 100% dextrose,imo. It's 80% dextrose,20% maltodextrine. The maltodextrine gives a bit more color & head retention,& mouth feel. I got the brewing sugar included in the beer kit that came with the micro brew kit. Def better,as my avatar shows using the cooper's OS lager kit/brewing sugar.

 

[alexcage]

thanks everyone cleared up allot. why does table sugar not work, and what can i find at a grocy store that will, and am brewing australian Pal Ale

 

[Priemus]

Table suger shouldnt make up so much of the fermentables. It IMO doesnt ferment clean, and can create cidery tastes. others will argue that.

25% of the fermentables you might get away with but not a whole kg.

You want corn sugar, dextrose. That ferments out clean, but may cause a thin feeling in the beer if you use so much. If you have a homebrew store nearbuy go get a 500gram bag of dried light malt extract (spray malt) and use 50% that 50% dex.

The difference is amazing.

 

[alexcage]

well i just pitched the yeast thanks your responses really helped me.
Have a good one