Hi Folks,
Just bottled a Craft Range IPA at the weekend and want to get another brew sorted now. My wife does not like IPA but does like a lighter beer. She quite likes smithwicks blonde ale so I was thinking of just doing the Craft range Blonde Ale kit next.
I then got to researching this moring and came across a recipe on the Coopers site for Lightning Strike Summer Ale http://www.coopers.com.au/#/diy-beer/beer-recipes/recipe-of-the-month/ and thought that looked interesting. Sure who wouldn't like a beer with 'Summer' in the title!
Anyway, I know how the craft range works - buy the box and go at it! The above recipe is a bit more complicated with DME and Hop pellets required. I have brewed one all grain brew from True Batch Brew so have a big pot etc.
Anyone got any idea if this recipe would produce a lighter beer along the lines of a smithwicks blonde?
Also, if I do go with the Coopers option I assume that the yeast comes with the can of Coopers goo? I will batch prime so is regular brewing sugar OK for this (it comes at a reduced price in a package with the can on thehomebrewstore)
Cheers
if you're looking for something along the Smithwicks Blonde then I'd probably stick to a simple recipe with the craft range or straight coopers kit.
The recipe you linked looks nice, but will she drink something with 'refreshing characteristics and drinkability of lager with the added dimension of zesty hop aromatics' when she's expecting Smithwicks Blonde ?
That is kind of what I was thinking LordEoin, but the appeal of the extra ingredients ect was pulling me in.
i'll do that after the straight blonde kit.
Too many options.......
I should have started this years ago!
I did the Coopers Canadian Blonde kit many moons ago. It's not really the style of beer I like but I remember it being pretty decent. The Craft Range kits are excellent and a notch above the rest. Of all the cheaper kits out there I've found Coopers to be ahead of the rest. The cans do include yeast and instructions too and they are pretty idiot proof.
Yeah, the Coopers Blonde isn't much to write home about but then again the Blonde style in general isn't the most exciting.
It's a lovely refreshing and drinkable style, but quite bland if you've got used to the taste of some of the hoppier or darker ales.
Got the Craft range Blonde into the fermenter last night, so hopefully that will be ready to bottle in ten days or so. I'll move on to the lightning strike then.
Cheers all
i've the craft range blonde at home too, likewise keep me updated on how it goes and I'll do same for the summer ale on the other thread
When you guys say "craft range" what are you talking about?
Quote from: belfastjacko on March 26, 2015, 02:17:21 PM
When you guys say "craft range" what are you talking about?
http://www.homebrewwest.ie/the-craft-range-beer-kits-326-c.asp
Ahhhhhhh might give that a go next time. Will take some to beat the youngs kits though.
Quote from: RobShamrock on March 26, 2015, 11:45:32 AM
i've the craft range blonde at home too, likewise keep me updated on how it goes and I'll do same for the summer ale on the other thread
Bubbling away nicely after 24 hours, always a good sign. The smell is nice too.
Bubbling almost stopped now, dry hopping on thurdsay and then Bottle at the weekend. Will let you know how the dregs from the bottling bucket taste.
grand job, it should be drinkable in no time at all :)
Hopefully LordEoin.
asn i'll be consuming a craft range IPA while doing it! This is fun
Good stuff, hoping to bottle the lighting strike ale this weekend
All bottled and conditioning in the sitting room (warmest room in the house).
Had a minor panic when i measured the FG and it said 1.020 or something like that. Then remembered i had already added the priming sugar so relaxed a bit.
Gave the new bench capper a good work out as I only had 10 500ml bottles and the rest had to go into 330ml ones. Lot of bottles and a lot of capping! The dregs from the bottling bucket tasted good, a lot less in your face than the IPA so will hopefully be a hit with my wife.
On to the lightning strike now!
Let me know how it tastes in a couple weeks, I've cleaned and stored my gear for now so wont be starting this for a while, I'm out of empty bottles, I must just order some more Coopers oxbar bottles, I've found them the easiest to use and store (see my ale thread)
Will do Rob.
If you are around Wicklow give me a shout and you can try a bottle or two when it is ready
cheers
glass bottles always available from these guys http://www.alpack.ie/Glass_Beer_Bottles_Swing_Top__Crown_Finish/Default.292.html
If you can collect from their location in Sandyford it's handy.
Jays didn't know there was a Craft Range blonde... might have to give it a blast. It'd be interesting to see how that Lightning Strike jobbie turns out too. The good weather this week got me thinking of summer booze... ^-^
After 6 days in the bottle the blonde got the seal of approval from the boss this evening. A bit flat, but damn tasty. It should hopefully improve with age.
it should be better when left a bit longer. 6 days not very long. Good sign that is tasty though
Yeah, couldn't leave it any longer to try it.
I had it stored in the living room as that is the warmest room in the house and sits around 21 degrees most of the time. Have since transferred it to the hotpress to get it to carb up properly and hopefully in a week or two we will have fizzy rather than flat yummy beer.
Mind it does not get too hot in the press as you might end up pasteurizing some of them :)
21/22 degrees should be plenty to carb. My house sits steady at that and none of my beer seems flat.