I picked up a Coopers Microbrewery Kit a few weeks ago. I started up the pre-hopped lager extract that came with it 3 weeks ago and followed the Coopers instructions to the letter (Coopers temps are typically higher than how you normally brew). 2 weeks ago, after just 1 week in the fermentor I bottled the Lager, priming each 740ml bottle with 2 Coopers carbonation drops. 10 days after bottling I put a couple bottles in the fridge. 2 days later...
On Friday night I took out a bottle and poured my first home brew. After just under 2 weeks conditioning I didn't expect the beer to be clear (and it wasn't). Sadly the first thing I noticed was that the beer barely had a head on it and there were very few, if any, bubbles within the glass itself. So I tasted it... ...Old Style was the first thing that came to my mind. Crappy horrible Old Style. At that point I was disappointed. I thought to myself: Did I screw up somewhere? Maybe Coopers makes a bad Lager? I began to worry to that perhaps the Coopers Bitter I have fermenting would turn out just as pathetic.
On Sunday I opened up another bottle and poured a glass. First thing I noticed was a magnificent head. Nice carbonation throughout the whole glass. Sure it was a little cloudy but this glass of beer was world better in appearence than the one Friday night. Now before I mention the taste I need to say that I typically do not care for lagers. Ever since I had my first ale I just haven't been that thrilled with the vast majority of lagers. So I tasted the beer. WAAAAAAAY better than the first bottle. I mean I definitely wont say its my favorite but it was damn good. I figure I'll hold off on the other bottles for a week or two before opening any more.
I am not really sure what happened to the first bottle. I mean there was only 2 days difference between the first and second. Sure the second was in the fridge longer but it was only two days. When I put some of the bottle initially in the fridge I am positive 2 of the 3 were the last 2 I had bottled and probably picked up some of sediment (or whatever) when I was bottling from the fermenter's spigot. Perhaps the bad beer was one of those last bottles that must have gotten some of that sediment? Could be, however I am going to blame myself. I am wondering if perhaps I screwed up when I was bottling and only put 1 instead of 2 carbonation drops in the bad bottle. If thats true I sure hope I didn't do that to any others.
Anyways...just thought I'd tell my little story (bored at work). Fortunately the second bottle was so good that I again have high hopes for the Bitter I have fermenting.
On Friday night I took out a bottle and poured my first home brew. After just under 2 weeks conditioning I didn't expect the beer to be clear (and it wasn't). Sadly the first thing I noticed was that the beer barely had a head on it and there were very few, if any, bubbles within the glass itself. So I tasted it... ...Old Style was the first thing that came to my mind. Crappy horrible Old Style. At that point I was disappointed. I thought to myself: Did I screw up somewhere? Maybe Coopers makes a bad Lager? I began to worry to that perhaps the Coopers Bitter I have fermenting would turn out just as pathetic.
On Sunday I opened up another bottle and poured a glass. First thing I noticed was a magnificent head. Nice carbonation throughout the whole glass. Sure it was a little cloudy but this glass of beer was world better in appearence than the one Friday night. Now before I mention the taste I need to say that I typically do not care for lagers. Ever since I had my first ale I just haven't been that thrilled with the vast majority of lagers. So I tasted the beer. WAAAAAAAY better than the first bottle. I mean I definitely wont say its my favorite but it was damn good. I figure I'll hold off on the other bottles for a week or two before opening any more.
I am not really sure what happened to the first bottle. I mean there was only 2 days difference between the first and second. Sure the second was in the fridge longer but it was only two days. When I put some of the bottle initially in the fridge I am positive 2 of the 3 were the last 2 I had bottled and probably picked up some of sediment (or whatever) when I was bottling from the fermenter's spigot. Perhaps the bad beer was one of those last bottles that must have gotten some of that sediment? Could be, however I am going to blame myself. I am wondering if perhaps I screwed up when I was bottling and only put 1 instead of 2 carbonation drops in the bad bottle. If thats true I sure hope I didn't do that to any others.
Anyways...just thought I'd tell my little story (bored at work). Fortunately the second bottle was so good that I again have high hopes for the Bitter I have fermenting.