new guy here, gonna try making a coopers lager kit

[Infinitrium]

I'm going to be trying my hand at home brewing with a coopers microbrew kit I bought online. What I'm mostly fretting over is how long to let the beer ferment in the fermenter before bottling it. Should I let it ferment in the fermenter for a week or so (until the FG is proper? ) then bottle it or leave it in there longer?

 

[OhCrap]

Leave it there at least 2 wks and longer if you can
Then in bottles for AT LEAST 3 weeks before trying enjoy the results

 

[jmprdood]

OP - welcome to the board and brewing! I use Coopers malts all the time as do several others on the forum. You can bottle after the SG is steady for a few readings over a few days. That being said, several here recommend 3 wks in primary and then 3 wks in the bottle. I have found with the Coopers kits, that 2 and 2 work just fine, but the beer gets better the longer you let it condition in the bottle.

Cheers!

 

[boo boo]

Hey, welcome to another Canadian.
Give this free on-line book a read http://www.howtobrew.com/ it will help you in so many ways as it did to most of us.
There are a couple of Canadian sites you may also want to have a look at also.
http://www.canadianhomebrewers.com/index.php
http://www.craftbrewing.ca/index.php
http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/index.php

This is more active of a site than any other, so you might as well stick around here also.
A lot of great brewers and a lot of knowledgeable people post here, so any questions you have can be found by asking, and it is also nice to be able to search this site for answers.

 

[unionrdr]

Welcome to HBT. I use a lot of Cooper's cans to make many different styles. The OS lager comes with an ale yeast,so it's really a light pale ale. Even adding 2lbs of plain light DME & 1 or 2 ounces of hops will improve it immensely. Keep the ferment temps down to 64-70F for cleaner flavor.
I got the OS lager with my Cooper's micro brew kit,& it got down to FG & fairly clear in 12 days. Your results may vary. It's also a good idea to let it sit another 3-7 days after FG is reached to settle out clear or slightly misty. It'll clean up by products of fermentation at this same time.
This can take 3-4 weeks total,so 1 or 2 weeks may not be enough time. Only your hydrometer knows for sure. And 3 weeks is accepted minimum time to carbonate & condition at 70F. 4-5 weeks for mid gravity ales is more realistic for prime flavor & carbonation. Also,give the bottles at least a week in the fridge for longer lasting carbonation,thicker head,& better clarity. 2 weeks is def way better in this regard.