Sven Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 G'day all, Long time no talk. I haven't brewed since a Sparkling Ale from September 2010 and the cupboard is almost bare in the shed, save for some Mexican Cervezas from July 2010. Therefore, it's time to dust off the gear, take over the dishwasher and get amongst it. The last batches I brewed were Cooper's kits of Cerveza x 2, Pilsner, Heritage Lager, True Aussie Bitter, Australian Pale Ale, European Lager, Irish Stout (Mmmm), Fresh Draught and the Sparkling Ale. Sooooo, I'm looking for a suggestion or 10 for some brews. Yours in beer, Sven P.S. Any new innovations at Cooper's since last year? Maybe an iPhone app, or priming calculator, or new Thomas Cooper's flavours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 There definately is a new iPhone app. I use it a fair bit. Also beers that I am making alot are the two can stout: Can of OS Stout Can of OS Dark Ale 1Kg of dextrose Make to 23 L and use both yeast. Also I like the ESVA Recipe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 What does OS refer to? Also, what are y'all using for heating these days? I have dabbled in immersion heaters and heat pads but good results simply by brewing lagers and ales in winter and stouts in summer. I think I'll stick with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregT5 Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Sven, "OS" is the Original Series Brew Concentrates in the white tins. I am about to bottle a variation of PB2's Motueka Slam IPA: 1.7kg Thomas Coopers India Pale Ale 1kg Light Dry Malt 40g Pacific Hallertau hop flowers - dry hopped kit yeast made to 21 litres Paul's recipe used Motueka hops. I have just taken a hydro sample & it would have to be the best brew I have done so far - and I haven't bottled it yet [biggrin] I use a light in a terracotta pot in a brew fridge to keep my brews at the right temp. I found it was a cheap solution to my heating needs. You didn't say what you have your fermenter in (fridge, cupboard etc.) Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 I have had the fermenter wrapped in a blanket in the shed but I've also used a large esky on its side that fits the fermenter nicely. I also rack from one fermenter to another to bulk prime my beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaynoW Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Also beers that I am making alot are the two can stout: Can of OS Stout Can of OS Dark Ale 1Kg of dextrose Make to 23 L and use both yeast. I have heard nothing but great feedback on this recipe, I am pitching this one this weekend for next winter. I was thinking of sparging 200g Choc Malt Grain into it, do you think it would go well in it? I'm a choc lover! Cheers Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Eh!L Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Here's a couple to try. The Real Canadian Ale ABV5.8% 1.7Kg OS Real Ale can 880g (1/2 can) Canadian Blonde 1Kg BE1 23L water 14g cooper's ale yeast 189g dex for bulk prime OG 1.052 FG 1.012 Cascadian Draught 1.7Kg OS draught 1Kg LDM 200g Dex 7g Cooper's ale yeast 15g Cascade (dry hopped) 184g white sugar for bulk prime OG 1.044 Chad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty A Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I have heard nothing but great feedback on this recipe, I am pitching this one this weekend for next winter. I was thinking of sparging 200g Choc Malt Grain into it, do you think it would go well in it? I'm a choc lover! Cheers Wayne I think adding chocolate malt would be a great addition. Also if I am brewing Ales in the colder times, I normally put the fermenter in the kitchen and it is generally warm enough. Also remember that the toucan stout is very volcanic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Hi Sven That Toucan recipe Matty listed works a treat. I am yet to hear a bad response for it. As for heating, I was using a light bulb in the frisge but figured this posed too many risks. i.e. a blown globe without knowing until next time you check the brew. Therefore, I now use a Reptile Heat Cord with great success and no issues whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 13, 2011 Author Share Posted August 13, 2011 Can you change the temperature with the heat cord? I was going to try wrapping the fermenter with an old low temp. rated sleeping bag. I hate immersion heaters. Too fiddly and easily broken, and heat pad temps get too warm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 No, you can not change the temps with a heat cord. But then again, you can't change temps with a heat pad or belt either. However, you can purchase different watt ratings. The one I have is either a 15w or 16w (can't remember) and it does the trick quite easy. I can brew ales without a problem in winter, no sweat. I'm actually doing an APA now and temps in Tassie have been around 9-13C lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Ahhh there you go. I wouldn't bother with any heating if I was in your shoes then. I'd be brewing lager with awesome low temp (10 deg. or thereabouts) yeast that would take longer to ferment but produce beautiful beer. And then when it warms up I brew the stouts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Nah mate, I turn over 2.5 to 4 kegs a month. Therefore, a lager is out of the question until I can get a supply up. 2-3 weeks to ferment a lager then it needs to sit around for weeks, I haven't got that sort of time to muck around with. That's the beauty of having temp control, I can brew what I want and when I want. [joyful] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 You knock over 2.5 to 4 kegs a month? Crikey! Do you go with an old fridge with a thermostat for your temp control? Actually don't answer that. You use a reptile strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien E1 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 I have a pretty cheap but effective method for brewing ales here in winter. I have a giant 2.5 metre rivers beach towel that I wrap around the fermenter a few times. keeps the temperature nice and steady just under 20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 I tried wrapping the fermenter with an old low temp. rated sleeping bag and a blanket and a heat pad under that but it went out to 27 degrees. Got the krausen going though! I've turned off the pad and left the sleeping bag and blanket wrapped around. Will see how that goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 You knock over 2.5 to 4 kegs a month? Crikey! Do you go with an old fridge with a thermostat for your temp control? Actually don't answer that. You use a reptile strap. Yeah mate, I have a temp controlled fridge. I have a big card night at least once every month where we get around 30 people and they soon churn through the kegs. I have a King Keg kegerator that holds 3 kegs and am in the process of completing a freezer which will hold 8 kegs. I have 2 taps on the kegerator and will put that in the kitchen upstairs when the freezer is complete as I am sick of going downstairs with a jug or glass. Then downstairs I will have at least 4 taps in the freezer. I haven't decided to go with 4, 6 or 8 taps for the freezer yet. I have 2 SS Cellis I ordered last week and hoping they will arrive today and will add to them as time goes by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoptimus Maximus Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 I tried wrapping the fermenter with an old low temp. rated sleeping bag and a blanket and a heat pad under that but it went out to 27 degrees. Got the krausen going though! I've turned off the pad and left the sleeping bag and blanket wrapped around. Will see how that goes. You probably saw this post from Wayno - he has nose for bargains "Try this link on Ebay.... STC-1000 on Ebay $16.45 AUD and free freight. I received my 3 in seven days from Hong Kong!" If you haven't got one then to control temperature then I highly recommend getting one. You can control just about any load you will ever dream up or need for home brew temperature control. I just took delivery of a second heat belt and would like to report I am most happy with it and the service from this seller is excellent. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Heater-Belt-home-brew-/110730769046?pt=AU_Barware&hash=item19c8117296 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 just to be clear here for future readers.. the link above is NOT for an STC1000 but a very similar device. I have found these to be less reliable than the STC1000 which can be found (ebay) for a few dollars more (approx $24) In my opinion they are great as a back up or a second controller which can be calibrated against the more reliable device. This is what Ive found and others opinion and experience may vary. Yob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Do you have a link there Yob? This is the first time I have heard these are not in fact an STC1000. I have 2 of them, haven't had any problems with either, or the 2 I did for a mate and I am sure they stipulate they are an STC1000. However, even if they are not, the 4 I have had to deal with seem fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 Sorry for the ignorance but how do they work? Do they control the heat pad or heat belt puts out or are they for a heat box or fridge set up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoptimus Maximus Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Sorry for the ignorance but how do they work? Do they control the heat pad or heat belt puts out or are they for a heat box or fridge set up? They have a sensor cable the end of which you put in or attach to whatever you want to control the temperature of. You set the temperature you want (up to 99\xb0C)and it will either turn on a cooling circuit (fridge / freezer etc) or a heat circuit (light, heatbelt, heat pad, electric blanket whatever you choose)depending whether it needs to heat or cool to achieve the temperture you have set. Most users mount them in a little plastic project box from Jaycar and connect a couple of socket outlets by cable to facilitate easy connection of the fridge or heat device. You can control how close you keep the temperature to what you want by setting the difference (tolerance). If you have it too fine it will be forever switching on and off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoptimus Maximus Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Do you have a link there Yob? This is the first time I have heard these are not in fact an STC1000. I have 2 of them, haven't had any problems with either, or the 2 I did for a mate and I am sure they stipulate they are an STC1000. However, even if they are not, the 4 I have had to deal with seem fine. Like Juliet said to Romeo - "What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet;" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 16, 2011 Author Share Posted August 16, 2011 Sounds really good. 7 hours after turning off the pad the brew is still 27-28 degrees. The sleeping bag is working TOO well so it has been packed away. The purple blanket is going it alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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