First Batch - Coopers Real Ale

[zmad2000]

Later today i will be brewing my FIRST beer. I have been reading the forum for a while and would like some input on this basic kit that i am going to make today.

1x Coopers Real Ale
3 lbs Light DME
Coopers yeast

I am going to do a 60min boil and add the DME in 3 batches 60 30 0.
Does anybody have any suggestions? This is my first brew so i am keeping it simple.

 

[Shooter]

Keep it even simpler, boil all of the DME for ten minutes and then add in the can of syrup. There's no reason to be doing any more than that with a canned kit.

 

[unionrdr]

Well,if you were doing hop additions,then use half the 3lb bag of DME for the boil. That's what I do to keep the colors light,the flavors crisp. But since you're not it will def be a malty beer with 3lbs of DME in it. Unless that's what you want,since the bittering in the cooper's can will be somewhat diminished by the 3lb of DME. I'd add some Kent Golding or other English hops for the last 15-20 minutes to help balance it out again.
Otherwise,just boil all 3lbs of the DME for 10 minutes or so,then take the BK off the heat & add the cooper's can. Cover & steep for 10-15 minutes since it's still hot enough to sanitize the LME.

 

[Brewnoob1]

Doesn't sound like you have any hop additions. If that's the case, then don't boil or you'll lose all the aroma and flavor hops.

 

[unionrdr]

Yeah,never boil pre-hopped extract malts,it drives off the hop profile. Just use half the 3lb bag of DME for hop additions. You could keep it simple by adding 1oz of English hops for 15-20 minutes. Then stir in the remaining DME. you'll get a mini hot break for a couple minutes. Then remove from heat to add the cooper's can,stirring til no more LME can be scrapped off the bottom of the BK.
Chill down to pitch temp in an ice water bath in the sink. Add the ice to the top around the BK,then topoff with water.

 

[Brewnoob1]

Union, for his first beer, since he already has the DME and pre-hopped can extract, wouldnt you recommend him just stick to those without hop additions to get the process down? For those, you really just need to boil the DME for a few minutes to kill anything that could have possibly gotten into it. Turn off the heat and add the canned extract. Cool to pitching temps and call her a day.

 

[ACbrewer]

Tip, put the can of Liquid Extract in hot water first, this will soften up the LME and make it flow better. The stuff has the consistancy of carmel ice cream topping from the store, heating the whole can will help you out.

 

[unionrdr]

While that would be the easiest way,the beer will be a bit unbalanced,since he'll be nearly doubling the total malts without adding some hops to balance it out. That cooper's can has some bittering only. It's really quick & easy to do,but that's ultimately up to him. Just a little bit more time spent will make it better. It's all part of developing a good process that one can use to get good beers consistently.

 

[zmad2000]

The reason i was adding all the DME was cause it asked for 1kg sugar. I read in a few places that u can substitute the sugar for DME and since 1kg = 2.2 lbs i was thinking that the extra .8lbs would compensate for switching out the sugar.

 

[hbhudy]

The sugar will ferment out completely so if you go with 1# of DME and 1# of Honey you will get a thinner beer but still have more malt presence then the 2.2# of sugar. I would also suggest using Nottingham yeast instead of the coopers. Let if fully ferment out (3weeks) and then bottle for 3 more and you will like the end results.. If you want to add something add about 6oz of Crystal 40 Steep for 30 minutes at 150ish. I have made the beer both the coopers method and this method.. I drank both, but I enjoyed my alterations..

 

[unionrdr]

I don't have any problems with cooper's ale yeast that so many complain about. But different yeast can produce different flavors from the esters. And DME dosn't ferment out fully like sugar,so it's not a direct replacement. The DME is better,imo. It does add fermentables,but also color,flavor,& mouth feel.