Coopers IPA kit question.

[marcmurray92]

Hey guys, first post here, and I'm here with a question or two!
I recently got the Coopers IPA kit, but have not been able to begin my brew yet due to not being at home. The yeast has not left the vacuum packed container, but i have had it since February. I'm just wondering, would the yeast still be good?
Also, is there much call for adding more hops to this kit? The package says it is pre hopped, but I have read there are rarely any finishing hops added etc, and I like my beer hoppy.
Looking at maybe adding some "hop tea" made from Centennial, and finishing with a dry hop of some Cascade, would this be seem like too much for a first brew? I have been doing quite a lot of reading and just want the make the first brew worth drinking, I'd hate to end up with 40 pints of slop!
Thanks in advance chaps!

[ronnieb]

The yeast should be fine.

[Motorbikeman]

boil these up and use the water to mix to the tinned wort.    Then put the tea bag into the fermentation tank .
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FINISHING-HOP-PELLETS-SAAZ-CASCADE-/321322177762?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Food_SM&hash=item4ad04b54e2

[LordEoin]

Those finishing hops are ok, but you don't get a whole pile of bang for your buck. You'd need 2 for anything noticeable, and then you've spent nearly as much as buying a 100g pack.
I'd recommend the hop tea to start with. Stick with 1 hop so you get a clear taste it. If you do 2 you won't know which one you like/dont like.
30g-40g of cascade leaf would be nice. I only say leaf because it's easier to strain off the liquid.

I'm not sure what you mean by "The yeast has not left the vacuum packed container". If it's still in the sachet, then it'll be fine.
I recently used a cooper's yeast that was 2 years old and it still did the business perfectly

[marcmurray92]

Those finishing hops are ok, but you don't get a whole pile of bang for your buck. You'd need 2 for anything noticeable, and then you've spent nearly as much as buying a 100g pack.
I'd recommend the hop tea to start with. Stick with 1 hop so you get a clear taste it. If you do 2 you won't know which one you like/dont like.
30g-40g of cascade leaf would be nice. I only say leaf because it's easier to strain off the liquid.

https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/cascade-100g-vacuum-packed-alpha-acid-83-2013-harvest-p-174.html
I was looking at maybe using these? Do they dissolve in the boil or can they be re used for dry hopping at a later date?

I'm not sure what you mean by "The yeast has not left the vacuum packed container". If it's still in the sachet, then it'll be fine.
I recently used a cooper's yeast that was 2 years old and it still did the business perfectly

Yeah that was it, I was just wondering if yeast "went bad" is all.

Making an order today/tomorrow and just running through a checklist of what I'll have to do, to make sure I order the right ingredients. Does this seem okay?

Steps

1. Sterilize everything.

2. Warm the contents of the kits can in a saucepan of warm water. (Coopers IPA mix)

3. Place the Fermentation Vessel on the floor and add the dry fermentables (malt/sugar)
    thinking of using a combo of:
500 grams of Muntons Medium Spraymalt and 700 grams of  the Coopers Brew enhancer.
(http://www.homebrewwest.ie/muntons-foil-pack-spraymalt-medium-500grm-433-p.asp)

4. Add 2 liters of water off the boil.
(I'm assuming this is where the hop tea would be added?)

5. Allow the malt is to dissolve completely.

6. Open kit can (upside down or the tin opener probably will not grip it) and pour the warm softened goop into the FV.

8. Check the temperature and add hot/cold water to get it to the final volume (usually 23 liters) to about 18-19C

9. Pitch the yeast - Sprinkle it on evenly.

I was reading that re hydrating the yeast beforehand is preferred?

Thanks for the replies lads, I wouldn't want the first brew to be undrinkable.

[LordEoin]

https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/cascade-100g-vacuum-packed-alpha-acid-83-2013-harvest-p-174.html
I was looking at maybe using these? Do they dissolve in the boil or can they be re used for dry hopping at a later date?

Treat them like tea leaves, make a tea, strain in before pitching the yeast.
They're not reusable, but you'll have plenty left for dryhopping if you want.

[marcmurray92]

Ended up going for it there about a week ago!
Went for the IPA kit LME, 500gs of light DME, 500g of Brew Enhancer, and 500g of demarara sugar in a 23 litre batch.
Added about 15 grams of Cascade to a boil in a hop tea bag for about 40 minutes and another 15 for the last 10.
Rehydrated the yeast too, wanted to make sure I got all I could out of it.
I've a feeling it might be a little dry from using both the Brew enhancer AND the demarera sugar, but hey, first brew is never gonna be perfect!
Haven't been home this week but its been fermenting now about 10 days, might leave it another little while to clear, then move on to bottling.
Thanks for the advice lads, will post results!

[LordEoin]

the head retention will probably be poor with all the sugar, but it should be strong and taste good

[marcmurray92]

Finally got to try my first beer!
I feel like I could have let it age a little longer, but yeah curiosity got the better of me.
Didn't turn out too bad, definitely drinkable, although I don't know if I would wish it on anyone but me.
A little grassy, think I over did it with the dry hopping, and over-carbed a little for the kind of beer I was envisioning, but either way it's safe to say I'm hooked.
Already ordered more ingredients for another brew, got some crushed grains to try a little steeping too.
Thanks for the help lads!



EDIT: You were right about the head retention, that head in the picture lasted all of 20 seconds!

[LordEoin]

Good Job Marc!
The first beer deserves to be drank way too early, with pride and gusto!
If it's too overcarbonated, just chill them well and let the bottle sit for a few minutes after opening it.