ok the one place i found in Waterford city is somewhere over the bridge and to the left? Not really a run and get kinda place for me. Anybody know of brewing suppliers nearer Dungarvan that supply beer kits and equipment etc? Tried online but postage is murder on a lot of those UK and USA sites plus the one site i got for here is outta the coopers kit for God knows how long. >:(
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/beer-cider-starter-kit-includes-33lt-fermenters-p-968.html
I was thinking of just getting one of these delivered asap and then go get whatever actual beer kit i want. What ye think of these?
Both thehomebrewcompany and homebrewwest are very reliable and cheap on shipping. I wouldn't be up on the good kits, maybe try the kit section for some help on kits :)
The starter kit looks like it has all you will need to get started.
http://www.homebrewwest.ie/coopers-diy-beer-kit-new-with-vwp-sterilizer-red-brewbelt-965-p.asp
This is the only one i can find s far.
Ah i saw coopers and thought you meant beer kit :) those kits from the homebrewcompany should do the job fine, all it seems to be missing compared to the coopers is bottles, a brewbelt and a dvd.
Just get your friends to drink lots of bottled beer and save the bottles ;)
rukkus that last one i linked is the Coopers all in one DIY kit with a belt and bottles ;D
In my opinion skip buying the coopers all in a box and go with HBW or HBC starter kits
http://www.homebrewwest.ie/brewsmarter-premium-starter-beer-kit-best-value-844-p.asp
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/beer-cider-starter-kit-includes-33lt-fermenters-p-968.html
Why?
The coopers bucket will just be consigned to the corner of the shed after a few brews
The plastic bottles supplied are the same and we all end out progressing to glass and kegs in the end no matter what level you are at.
The HBC looks better value but you still need a kit.
If you are a lager drinker start off with a coopers canadian blonde. It's an ale but tastes close to a lager
3 things for new brewers
Sterilisation of everything, even the scissors you open yeast packet with!
Control of Fermentation temp try and stay within 17-21 not up to 27 as per coopers kit advice :(
Patience, time is the brewers friend, 1, 2, 3 rule, 1 week primary, 2 weeks in secondary, 3 weeks in bottles or the longer the better ;)
Ciderhead that HBC one looks great value but i would still need to get bottles correct?
Yep, you have to buy swing tops or check in your local bar for spares which is what everybody does.
Other option is a capper, never bothered myself just have swing tops for what i cant get in my kegs or parties.
ciderhead you say the coopers bucket will just be thrown inthe corner but i don't see how the same thing would not happen ton the two you recommended. I mean one of them there is exactly the same setup as the coopers so what the difference? Thanks for the advice btw.
Quoteciderhead you say the coopers bucket will just be thrown inthe corner but i don't see how the same thing would not happen ton the two you recommended. I mean one of them there is exactly the same setup as the coopers so what the difference? Thanks for the advice btw.
Coopers use a clever device called a krausen ring which sits on top of bucket, you take this off half way through the fermentation you can see it on craigtube or their own videos on youtube and you remove the crud from fermentation with the ring, the lid lifts as co2 is produced.
http://youtu.be/T1l1oCyCZKo
33 litre bucket (headroom for 25litre batches, smaller if you plan smaller brews)with bubbler is a better bet.
My coopers bucket currently has dogfood stored in it :(
Sent you a pm, happy to walk you through the entire process perhaps if you don't mind we can do this advice on this post for other newbies? I'm sure a lot got kits for Christmas. Please ask silly questions, I wish I had somewhere years ago to ask them :(
I would recommend if you are going for Canadian blonde or similar you also buy the recommended enhancer kit.
(I will tell you in 6 months time what it is no point in confusion at this stage)
Coopers carbonation drops are also paint by numbers solution for beginners and are tidier than tipping brewing sugar into bottles. On your 3rd or fourth brew we will get you into batch priming with brewing sugar or other fermentables.
Also newbies friend is a product called starsan and a cheap flower mister from woodies. This is a no rinse sanitiser killing the nasties that cause 50% of newbies off flavours. Again there are alternatives to this product but for simplicity it's the best solution to start with.
Ya i know about the krizen ring but what i am asking you is why is the coopers bucket so useless so? I mean even the ones you suggested are basically the same and for the same price i can't see the difference?
QuoteYa i know about the krizen ring but what i am asking you is why is the coopers bucket so useless so? I mean even the ones you suggested are basically the same and for the same price i can't see the difference?
It's not sealable unlike buckets it's a floating co2 lid
Bubblers are a better way of tracking fermentation progress.
Ciderhead is that the reason you reckon that the other one is better that the coopers setup? :D
Ok well if i order the other one what would you suggest as a beer kit to get for first brew? Also can you use a bleach/vinegar solution to sanitize?
QuoteCiderhead is that the reason you reckon that the other one is better that the coopers setup? :D
Once you progress onto extract or all grain you will still use buckets with bubblers.
You won't find anybody with more than 4 or 5 brews under their belt using coopers buckets
QuoteOk well if i order the other one what would you suggest as a beer kit to get for first brew? Also can you use a bleach/vinegar solution to sanitize?
Bleach vinegar is good but needs to be rinsed, be careful mixing, check out posts on this site about same.
starsan is a no rinse solution although I do drain but that's it.
It's expensive but it goes a really long way and is so much more convenient than bleach and vinegar and has no odour either.
QuoteOk well if i order the other one what would you suggest as a beer kit to get for first brew?
Its down to personal taste beer preferance, what do you currently drink?
All of the coopers kits are solid
I have done only coopers as they are the biggest global sellers
Cervesa
Heritage Lager
Euro Lager
Australian Pale
Canadian Blonde
You can tell from that what I drink commercially!
My last kits before going all Grain were St Peters which was really goodl and especially their golden ale, but they are 2 can kits
As was my very last kit which was Muntons Midas Gold Ale but worth the extra few bob.
Well cider i am normally a Guiness man but am afraid a stout would be too difficult,or is there any difference really? I might try the canadian blonde it sounds nice, but would i need to get extra spray malt to use instead of sugar?
Another thing i was thinking, what about using empty 2lt bottles of say tesco fizzy water for the bottling? Is it possible to use bottles like that for finished product? Would be a cheap way around sourcing bottles. :o
https://store.coopers.com.au/shop/product/coopers-stout-refill-pack/
Is that the type of beer kit ya mean ciderhead? Would i need to get anything else to go with that for a brew? :D
QuoteWell cider i am normally a Guiness man but am afraid a stout would be too difficult,or is there any difference really? I might try the canadian blonde it sounds nice, but would i need to get extra spray malt to use instead of sugar?
I have heard good things about their stout but never tried it, Guinness it aint.
For simplicity just buy the brew enhancer pack No 1,
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brew-enhancer-1-1kg-p-964.html
If you like the first try a canadian blonde with kit no 2 which has better head retention and maltier.
From Coopers Website;
Brew Enhancer 1 (1kg) improves the body, mouthfeel and head retention of your favourite brew without altering the flavour. Coopers Brew Enhancer 1 contains dextrose and maltodextrin. The dextrose will ferment out completely with no residual cidery flavours whilst the maltodextrin does not ferment thus improving the body, mouthfeel and head retention. Recommended for use with your lighter style beers such as Lager, Draught and Pilsner.
Brew Enhancer 2 (1kg) improves the flavour, body, mouthfeel and head retention of your favourite brew. Coopers Brew Enhancer 2 contains dextrose, maltodextrin and Light Dry Malt. The dextrose will ferment out completely with no residual cidery flavours whilst the maltodextrin does not ferment thus improving the body, mouthfeel and head retention. The Light Dry Malt, being 100% pale malt, will further add to the body and increase the malt character of your favourite brew. Great for use with any beer styles where a fuller, maltier flavour is preferred.
hey deadman, - i only ever brewed one kit - a muntons cider - i started on extracts so dont know much @ the kits as such
but
ciderheads right @ the equipment - get one of the ones he linked - when u move up to extract or ag this stuff is still usable,
for bottles :
if you know of a local pub that sells grolsch by the bottle these bottles are non returnable - so they just dump them afaik -
otherwise have a chat with a freindly bar man he may throw a few crates of emptys your way.
Or
get your mates to hold onto their empties - its the right time of year for that !!!
if you are buying extra sugar i'd prob get the dry malt extract before id get either lme or plain suger
1. dme would give you better flavour complexity (?) than the sugar
2.- if you dont use all of it in your first batch you could store it easier than the liquid version ( i guess, never used lme myself)
3. dme is cheaper than lme as far as i remember ( hence why I never went for lme !!)
why do you think a stout kit would be more difficult than the others ?
when brewing all grain i find the stouts more forgiving in terms of chill haze and stuff like that, with light coloured ales in all grain - sometimes they can be hazy - its only a cosmetic thing really but the stouts are so dark u don't see it.
one thing to note though your bottled stout won't be the same as your poured pub pint - as thats done on nitrogen - think of the widget thingy in the guinness can
your hb brew would prob be more along the lines of a regular bottle of stout
loads a stuff to consider - ask as many questions as you have - I did ! and still do !!
to make things easier just get a small bottle of star san - it lasts ages - worry @ the bleach/vinegar thing further down the line
get a few kits under your belt - find your routine and then enhance it in the direction you feel suits best
welcome aboard !!!!
jaysus - im slow there's been @ 5 posts since I started this !!!
if ya know any bulmers drinkers - get teh one litre bottles from them - they're good
dunno @ the fizzy bottles in tescos - most peoples opinions on those knida things is that they not a good idea - oxegen permeable over time i think is the issue
QuoteAnother thing i was thinking, what about using empty 2lt bottles of say tesco fizzy water for the bottling? Is it possible to use bottles like that for finished product? Would be a cheap way around sourcing bottles. :o
You can use these no problems but 2 litre sessions not great for longer than 2-3 month storage!
Check this guy out hes a savage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idMRYpW_KqA
Watching him chug homebrew you can understand why he does 2litres ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpdzweBHPSA
LOL cider i subbed him yesterday,you would know looking at him that he drinks most of his brew himself ;D
Quotehey deadman, - i only ever brewed one kit - a muntons cider -
Muntons Autumn Blush is a cracker and its the only thing a non drinker friend of mine likes.
But i found all the Muntons have a high FG.
QuoteQuoteOk well if i order the other one what would you suggest as a beer kit to get for first brew? Also can you use a bleach/vinegar solution to sanitize?
Bleach vinegar is good but needs to be rinsed, be careful mixing, check out posts on this site about same.
starsan is a no rinse solution although I do drain but that's it.
It's expensive but it goes a really long way and is so much more convenient than bleach and vinegar and has no odour either.
Bleach/Vinegar is a no rinse sanitiser. Used it until recently myself without a problem. Saying that, I recently switched to starsan because it keeps indefinitely in the bottle if mixed with RO/DI water and the bleach/vinegar stuff doesnt
Thing about the bleach/vinegar mix is you nearly always have those two in the house so you never get caught out so to speak and if you do you can just run down to the local shop and get some.
Starsan may be better i don't know as i have never even seen it but since i already use a bleach/vinegar mix for the dog i may just stick with that ;D
BTW i don't feed the mix to the Ghost i use it to clean the floors,keeps away the doggy smell and is a great disinfectant :o
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/beer-cider-starter-kit-includes-33lt-fermenters-p-968.html
Right i have decided to go with the above but i need to order the beer kit from the same crowd. Want to get something with a low FG like around 3-3.5% ABV. Had a local bitter last night that was lovely at around 3.5%abv ;D
If you like stout something like http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brewmaster-irish-stout-17kg-p-814.html might be a good start.
The brewferm kits are also very good quality.
Ok have decided to go with that rukkus. Now what else do i need beside the spray malt? :o do i still need sugar for when i am bottling?
QuoteIf you like stout something like http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brewmaster-irish-stout-17kg-p-814.html might be a good start.
The brewferm kits are also very good quality.
Ruckus is right go for it and let us know how you get on, I'll let Lars taste first if you are sanitising using the dog bleach ;)
Who is Lars :o ya i will see if that crowd do the starsan as well maybe. Hope they don't fecking take weeks to deliver the stuff now. :'(
Oh btw for convenience i am gonna order the coopers plastic bottles with caps off that crowd as well. Now do i need to add sugar to bottles when i am bottling stout?
QuoteOk have decided to go with that rukkus. Now what else do i need beside the spray malt? :o do i still need sugar for when i am bottling?
Ditch the spray malt as it will taste thinner and spend a few quid on your first kit beer and go for Coopers BE2
Coopers carbonation drops are more convenient than faffing around with brewing sugar unless you intend to batch prime, which is something I would leave until you have a few kits under your belt
QuoteWho is Lars :o ya i will see if that crowd do the starsan as well maybe. Hope they don't fecking take weeks to deliver the stuff now. :'(
He posted on previous page lmaol ;D ;D ;D
They are open on 2nd you will get it 3/4 th only place one order and the whole lot will cost 5euro if you have placed a second order mark it for collection and in notes specify combine order or phone them on the second
Shipping from thehomebrewcompany is usually next day, 2 days max.
Christmas shipping will throw that out a bit i suspect, I'd say they have saved many a brew day with their turn around times ;)
QuoteOh btw for convenience i am gonna order the coopers plastic bottles with caps off that crowd as well. Now do i need to add sugar to bottles when i am bottling stout?
Tube was right about caps and a topper it's cheaper than 50x500 ml plastic bottles.
Yes you need to "prime" with brewing sugar or other fermentables to get co2 into your beer
Those plastic bottles are handy to keep your first brew simple if you dont mind the extra cost.
Keep an eye open for lemonade in swing top bottles in the super market. The bottles are really nice and handy.
I always hated messing about with a capper (they are handy to have though).
Ok cider head the coopers be 2 is what exactly? :-? Oh and should i go for adding sugar or carbonation drops when bottling stout?
You need to slow down and read all of the posts again since the start of your thread and then ask questions
Ciderhead is this what you mean ?
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-malt-extract-dark-15kg-p-179.html
QuoteCiderhead is this what you mean ?
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-malt-extract-dark-15kg-p-179.html
Brew Enhancer 2
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1355670934
Thanks for that ciderhead,you were right i neededto slow down and read that. Looks like i have a bit more to add to the list before i place the order :o
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brewmaster-irish-stout-17kg-p-814.html
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brew-enhancer-2-1kg-p-965.html
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-carbonation-drops-250g-p-406.html
Am i missing anything here?
ok with you 33 litre starter kit you get
33 Litre Fermentation Vessel Takes airlock (Full Colour-Graduated)
33 Litre Fermentation Vessel
Bottle Filling Stick
Thermometer Spirit 12"
Bubbler, Plastic with Red Cap
Bung Bored
Hydrometer plus sampling tube
Bottle Brush
Simple Syphon
Beer Paddle/ Spoon Plastic 16"(Y)
Twin Lever Capper
Crown Caps (100)
1 Tub of SteriliserÂ
Extras
Consider one of these, it confirms temperature of your chilled wort before adding yeast and also allows you to monitor temperature during fermentation
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/large-self-adhesive-liquid-crystal-thermometer-10-to-40-oc-p-500.html
Coopers carbonation drops, 1 per 500ml bottle, 2 if you want fizzy stout ;D
Starsan we already mentioned, a cheap mister from woodies
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/star-san-sanitiser-8-oz-p-1426.html
Another tip I would give you if look at vids on youtube for brewers doing kits, much easier and cheaper to look at other peoples mistakes
Can anybody tell me if i forgot anything?
Quotehttp://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brewmaster-irish-stout-17kg-p-814.html
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brew-enhancer-2-1kg-p-965.html
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-carbonation-drops-250g-p-406.html
Am i missing anything here?
Thats the stuff
So ciderhead my three things there plus that long list you just mentioned is everything covered? Sorry for all the silly questions. Thats a big no to fizzy stout,i take it that the carbonation drops are instead of adding sugar when bottling?
As regards the actual bottles what would you recommend.If i order that stuff tonight and i get it in ten days say,then do i just order coopers plastic bottles with it or try to get Guiness empties from the pub and cap em?
I'd do both, good to have bottles when you need them and save on shipping and also good to be ready for the 2nd brew when that comes around
QuoteSo ciderhead my three things there plus that long list you just mentioned is everything covered? Sorry for all the silly questions. Thats a big no to fizzy stout,i take it that the carbonation drops are instead of adding sugar when bottling?
Carbonation drops are just like boiled sweets (sugar) they are easier to pop in the bottle than try to weigh 5 grammes or level teaspoon etc.
When you have a few brews under your belt we will talk you through bulk priming which is where you mix sterilised sugared water into your beer before bottling.
Please don't consider this for your first brew just focus on getting familiar with the basics of doing the kits and fermentation.
QuoteAs regards the actual bottles what would you recommend.If i order that stuff tonight and i get it in ten days say,then do i just order coopers plastic bottles with it or try to get Guiness empties from the pub and cap em?
Rukkus is right you can never have enough bottles, 100 spares the last time I checked and i use kegs!! Its all about having a rolling supply of beer
Your brew wont be ready for bottling before 21 days earliest, so it'll be end of jan before you consider bottling. And really Paddys day before you start to drink. :o
there is one upside to the plastic bottles, you can squeeze them to determine how well your carbonation is going if they are hard, good to go!.
(1) http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/beer-cider-starter-kit-includes-33lt-fermenters-p-968.html
(2)http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-oxygen-barrier-plastic-bottles-500ml-caps-24-pack-p-923.html (x2)
(3)http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/large-self-adhesive-liquid-crystal-thermometer-10-to-40-oc-p-500.html
(4)http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-carbonation-drops-250g-p-406.html (x2)
(5)http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/star-san-sanitiser-8-oz-p-1426.html
(6)http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brew-enhancer-2-1kg-p-965.html
(7)http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brewmaster-irish-stout-17kg-p-814.html
I decided to compile this list before putting in my order Ciderhead since others may be following this thread and find the info useful. I reckon i have everything covered? :o
QuoteQuoteIf you like stout something like http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/coopers-brewmaster-irish-stout-17kg-p-814.html might be a good start.
The brewferm kits are also very good quality.
Ruckus is right go for it and let us know how you get on, I'll let Lars taste first if you are sanitising using the dog bleach ;)
Charlie Talley wouldn't lie and I'd be glad to taste if you drop it round to me:)
Depends on where you are Lars,might use you as my guinea pig allright ;D