Modifying The Brew House Kit

[Turizo]

So a new home brew store opened up in my town and I got two beer kits for 20% off. One was a Brew house prairie wheat, which I have made before and a Coopers IPA can.

Are there any popular ways to modify the Brew house kit, perhaps add oranges or strawberries? The first two times I made the kit the beer was great but I'd like something a little different.

Thanks!

 

[suckmyale]

I don't know about that specific kit, but you should check out the Fruit Beer Recipe section. You will see that most will make the extract kit like normal. Then after a week or 2 of fermenting in the primary, it is racked on top of the fruit in a secondary.

 

[The_Cosworth]

Have you tried better/proper yeast to begin with? You mention only using the coopers yeast. I would get a more proper yeast.

Also how long are you having it sit? My IPA I am doing now I am slowing everything down. 2-3 weeks in primary and 2-3 weeks in secondary. That mixed with my better yeast, I have high hopes.

 

[Turizo]

Have you tried better/proper yeast to begin with? You mention only using the coopers yeast. I would get a more proper yeast.

Also how long are you having it sit? My IPA I am doing now I am slowing everything down. 2-3 weeks in primary and 2-3 weeks in secondary. That mixed with my better yeast, I have high hopes.

I've only used the yeast that comes with the kit, what kind would you recommend using? My primary doesn't have an airlock, it only has a lid. Would it be okay to let it sit in that for a few weeks? The instructions say 3-5 days.

I believe the Coopers can is an extract kit, which I've never used before. The Brew House kits come with everything I need.

 

[IvanTheTerribrew]

You should pick up a different pack of dry yeast like S-04 or Nottingham Ale. As for your airlock question: you don't need an airlock, they are nice tho because they keep things from getting into your beer like fruit flies and other things. When your wort ferments it creates CO2 which is heavier than air so it will actually create what is called a CO2 blanket over your beer. As long as you don't mess with it it should be ok to ferment without a airlock but I would recommend you get one. They cost about a dollar and not having one + a fruit fly getting into your beer = bad day.

But definitely experiment with another dry ale yeast. There are many to chose from, experiment!

Cheers

 

[Turizo]

My primary is a plastic bucket with no place to put an airlock. I have two carboys, should I use one of those for primary fermentation?

 

[neo71665]

My primary is a plastic bucket with no place to put an airlock. I have two carboys, should I use one of those for primary fermentation?

Holes are easy to drill in a lid with common hand tools. Even if you don't have hand tools they sell predrilled lids.