Ale or lager?

[Floss the destroyer]

So when I just make a straightforward home brew with a Coopers kit, is that a lager or ale yeast under the lid? Am I making an ale or a lager? When it's fermenting, I don't know if the action is happening on the top or the bottom of the vat.

[Hairy]

It depends on the kit you are using. Some come with ale yeast, some with lager yeast and some with an ale/lager blend.

[Floss the destroyer]

Thanks Hairy.

[Lab Cat]

Just to confuse - the Coopers lager does come with an ale yeast, but makes a pretty bland beer - probably more due to the kit than the yeast. I've brewed a couple of pilsners with ale yeasts, with better but not great results, but they're not true to style. 

I wouldn't bother trying to brew any of the lagers / pilsners that come with lager yeast if you don't have temp control. Lagers need brewing at low temperatures, and need long storage. 

[Greenyinthewestofsydney]

13 minutes ago, Lab Rat said:

Just to confuse - the Coopers lager does come with an ale yeast, but makes a pretty bland beer - probably more due to the kit than the yeast. I've brewed a couple of pilsners with ale yeasts, with better but not great results, but they're not true to style. 

I wouldn't bother trying to brew any of the lagers / pilsners that come with lager yeast if you don't have temp control. Lagers need brewing at low temperatures, and need long storage. 

To be honest its hard to do what i would term decent beer without any temp control unless you are doing a saison. I was lucky i got a fridge on about my 6th or so brew and it made an absolute moutain of difference.

[karlos_1984]

Read this. Explains what yeast comes with what can.