Tons of people have reviewed Coopers Brew Kits on Amazon.com. We felt that it might be helpful for our readers to take some snippets and write a summary of these reviews…
One reviewer says simply:
“This is so easy to do. It only took about 30 minutes from unboxing to fermentation! The DVD and written instruction are clear and made cooking a brew simple! 100% satisfaction!!!”
Another writes on January 13, 2011:
“My boyfriend loves his Coopers Kit!
“Great Great Great! I got the Coopers Kit for my Boyfriend and he LOVED it. I am now the best girlfriend in the world!”
A very informative review and one that qualified for listing in the Most Helpful Customer Reviews section was by one Rod Iron. Mr. Iron points out many of the strong points of the Coopers brewing kits:
Large bottles (therefore, less washing)
Huge fermenter (no need to worry about possible explosion or overflow during fermentation)
Unbelievably easy to use carbonation drops
In conclusion, Rod writes:
“Overall, the kit is viable and can get you through enough batches to know whether you like to brew beer at home. [snip] If you’re curious about brewing beer, but don’t want another mortgage to get started, I’d recommend this kit.”
After everything has been thoroughly cleaned, you’ll need to start the mixing process. We put the can of concentrate in hot water to heat it, facilitating it’s release from the can and into the mixing vat.
Next comes the brewing stage. We’ll need to insure that the mixture is the right temperature and then add the yeast. After that, we put on the lid tightly and insert the airlock. We then wait about a week or so before bottling.
This video takes you through the bottling process, which you can start after the airlock has stopped bubbling. After the beer has been bottled, it needs to sit in a cool, dark place for about 2 weeks. It will improve with age.
Here’s a great video series, which shows the step-by-step method to brewing beer with brew kits. They use Coopers brew kits in the videos, but any kits could be substituted. Mr. Beer and other makers of course include all the necessary equipment, such as fermenter, airlock, etc.
Step 1: Mixing
The first step is cleaning and sterilizing. We then put the can of concentrate in hot water to heat it, facilitating it’s release from the can and into the mixing vat. We then add the amount of sugar and water called for in the instructions. First use hot or boiling water to melt the concentrate. Then cool or room temperature water can be added.
Step 2: Brewing
The second step is the fermentation. Before we put the yeast in, we need to insure that the mixture is the right temperature. If the temperature is too low, the yeast won’t grow. If the temperature is too high, the yeast will die. We sprinkle the yeast into the mixture and stir it. After that, we put on the lid tightly and insert the airlock. We then wait about a week or so before bottling.
Step 3: Bottling
After a few days, the airlock should stop bubbling. This means the fermentation has stopped. You can also check with a hydrometer. If the measure is under 1006, the fermentation is completed. Now we can start the bottling process. After the beer has been bottled, it needs to sit in a cool, dark place for about 2 weeks. It will however, improve with age.
Did you know that after the initial investment in brew kits and the like, home brewed beer can cost as little as $.28 per pint? Well, apparently, lots of other people do know this. And they’re making the investment. Home brewing is booming right now as a result of the current global recession. People see that the price they pay for beer will be lower. Also, many people are spending more time at home as a result of the financial crisis. Read the rest of this entry »
Here’s a great video of a review of a popular brew kit: Mr. Beer. The video comes off as being a bit commercial, but I do like how the brew master critiques the beer in the end. The producers of the video don’t edit out the slightly negative comment in among all the positive. They leave it in and give the listener/beginner home brewer advice on what to do to make the beer even better and avoid pitfalls.
All in all, a good video for beginner brewers.
Leave a comment below and let me know what you think of the video! …Or the blog, for that matter!
In his article, Matt Mosher covers the topic of brew kits and home brewing – specifically college students making their own home brew. He points out that all a student needs is “a little space and ambition” and a beginner brew kit to get a taste of the hoppy, er… hobby. Read the rest of this entry »
“This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended a more divine means of consumption... Beer!”
~ Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, Friar Tuck
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(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
