Coopers IPA

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

Evenin all!
Tonight's entertainment will be in the form of a Coopers IPA Kit which I plan to dry hop when fermentation is pretty much done. Still need to get my hands on some hops too.
Homebrewwest recommend 500grms Muntons foilpack spraymalt light and 300grms brewing sugar, which is what I have. Before I begin though,would adding 750 grams sugar instead of 300 grams along with the 500 grams spraymalt be a bad idea? I understand that it will increase the ABV but would/should there be anything else I should be aware of?

[LordEoin]

It's really up to you.
Many people just use kit+1kg table sugar, so 500g malt and 750g sugar will still be better.

Personally, I'd stick with the 500g DME and 300g sugar, and if you want to boost the ABV a bit just brew it to 20L instead.
That will also have the added benefit of boosting the bitterness, flavour and aroma a bit too

ps, that's a nice kit

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

Cheers LordEoin, I went with 500grm DME and 500grm Sugar in the end. It will be interesting to see what the ABV ends up at. Cheers for mentioning in your "how to" post to swirl and not stir the dry ingredients too 
The goop in the can smelled a lot different to the previous brews I've done, it had more of a bitter smell - presume it was the hops or the extra hops in it?

[LordEoin]

500/500 will be fine, it's still better than all sugar, and probably better than a lot of the 'brew enhancers' out there.

Yes, it's a much hoppier style

[Garry]

Have you ever watched craigtube on YouTube? This is his favourite beer. Every time he drinks one he goes, 'phwaaaar!'. That's how good it is you see

I did one myself last summer. Brewed to 20L with 1kg of dme. Dry hopped with 25g of challenger and magnum. Phwaaaaaar, it didn't last long C:-)

What are you planning for the dry hops?

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

craigtube, eh? I'll defo look him so, thanks.  Everybody seems to think its a good kit alright, looking forward to tasting it and seeing the difference dryhopping makes too.

From what I've read the likes of Fuggles or Goldings would suit to dry hop so I'd like to try them . . . Pity HBW are out of both! http://www.homebrewwest.ie/hops-176-c.asp

[Garry]

Hold tough! I think hbw mentioned something about updating their hop list. Wait until Monday anyway.

I'm whistling Axel Rose's 'Patience' in my head. Time for bed methinks?

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

methinks you'd be right . . . am hoping they get their site sorted before the end of january anyway and the free delivery 

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

Bubbling away nicely already this morning thank god.
I noticed it was also bubbling between the black rubber washer (that holds the airlock in place) and the lid of the FV. I wiggled it around a bit and it seems to have ceased - probably an idea to replace that washer after this brew?

[IrishBeerSnob]

Think this is defo going to be my next kit - watched the Craigtube video on it - its very good.

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

If they are out of EKG try target instead. I have dry hopped IPAs with it and it is fantastic.

[LordEoin]

I love it with willamette&bramling cross.

regarding the washer, try drippinng some water on it ans see if it seals, otherwise vaseline works.

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

Thanks for the Hop recommendations guys, am gonna check HBW again now to see what they have.

No more bubbles have appeared at the washer since I fiddled with it earlier but will give the vaseline trick a try if anymore re-appear.

Thanks again!!!!

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

Brew has been in my FV since Friday and started bubbling away on Saturday morning.  Anyway, the bubbling has slowed down quite a bit, might have to change that washer on my FV lid.
Anyway, I thought the temp was a bit low so I stuck the brew belt on it.

[Ciderhead]

Those strips are better vertical on your bucket as the measure temp at top and bottom of your brew
I had those black washers and they are not as good as the orange one with the flange.
As LE said a little spary of starsan to seen if they are leaking or a push down on the lid of the bucket to see if the level in the airlock changes.

Any closer to H Street?, will we see you Thurs?