Coopers substitutions for MB recipes?

[pocketjr]

Here's a newbie question......

I have 3 MB kits, and my wife bought me a Coopers 5 gal kit a few years ago. So, now that Coopers owns MB, if I want to make a 5 gallon batch of a MB recipe do I just replace the MB ingredients for Coopers? ex... MB Irish Stout recipes would use Coopers Irish stout HME instead for 5 gallons.

Oh and..... What the heck is the brewmax stuff? I know it's LME, but what's a good substitution that I could find at my LHBS?

[swenocha]

You are correct... Brewmax is simply LME and can be substituted for like amounts of LME from the LHBS (or equivalent DME). Brewmax comes in various flavors (just like LME at the LHBS). If memory serves, there is a pale, dark, wheat, and maybe an amber. Any recipe that calls for one can be swapped out (of course, since their recipe is likely different than Briess or Munton's or whoever, it won't be a perfect swap, but...).

As for Coopers to Mr. B... You can use a Cooper's 5 gallon kit across two Mr. B fermenters, or two Mr. B kits in one Coopers 5 gallon fermenter. It's basically a 2 for 1 proposition one way or the other. Some have also used the 5 gallon kits in one Mr. B fermenter without the suggested LME/DME additions, but you have to watch your hop bitterness levels.

[pocketjr]

Interesting. Thanks Swen! I never even considered 2 MB's in a Coopers 5 gallon fermenter

[RickBeer]

Keep in mind that Mr. Beer kits are designed to make 2.13 gallons. Two of them would be designed to make 4.26 gallons. If you do actually brew 5 gallons, you're diluting the brew by 17%. You will get a brew that has lower ABV and will wash out some of the taste profile.

Conversely, when you use a 5 gallon kit, fill the LBKs to 2.5 gallons and you're all set. Some kits are really designed to do 6 gallons, not 5, and therefore you'd be making the brew somewhat stronger than it was designed to be made.

Some already make Mr. Beer kits as 2.5 gallon recipes to get more beer out of the can. I know of one that actually licks the can clean...

[ssorck]

Good stuff. I had basically the same question. Thanks, love the Borg...

[Wings_Fan_In_KC]

More info that the other site lost when the screwed it all up:

Pale = Light

Smooth = Amber

Robust = Dark

Golden = Wheat

They are .55 lb each pack for the LME so that would be your substitution amount if using other LME.

[pocketjr]

More info that the other site lost when the screwed it all up:

Pale = Light

Smooth = Amber

Robust = Dark

Golden = Wheat

They are .55 lb each pack for the LME so that would be your substitution amount if using other LME.

Yeah, that's my only concern. The smallest amount of LME my LHBS sells is 3.3 lbs

[joechianti]

Yeah, that's my only concern. The smallest amount of LME my LHBS sells is 3.3 lbs

No problem. You can store the unused portion of the LME in your fridge. Will last for months and months. Probably not necessary in fridge, but for added insurance, you can pour a thin layer of vodka on top of the LME to protect it. You can also use DME instead of LME as an alternative.

[pocketjr]

Yeah, that's my only concern. The smallest amount of LME my LHBS sells is 3.3 lbs

No problem. You can store the unused portion of the LME in your fridge. Will last for months and months. Probably not necessary in fridge, but for added insurance, you can pour a thin layer of vodka on top of the LME to protect it. You can also use DME instead of LME as an alternative.

I've worked with DME. Didn't like it. Of course, it's probably because I really have no idea how to properly work with it. The last time I used it I spent over an hour stirring it try to break up the clump.

[joechianti]

Oh, no, it shouldn't have to be like that. I've found that clumping is worst in extremely cold or extremely hot water. If you put in in lukewarm water, and slowly bring up the temp, it should cooperate pretty nicely for you. It should gently dissolve in moderately warm water in 10 to 15 minutes or so.

LME is much more convenient in terms of dissolving, but DME is more convenient for storage. But it's really a matter of personal preference in the end. Good luck. Never give up without a good fight.

[pocketjr]

More info that the other site lost when the screwed it all up:

Pale = Light

Smooth = Amber

Robust = Dark

Golden = Wheat

They are .55 lb each pack for the LME so that would be your substitution amount if using other LME.

So... Is the MB Winter Dark the same as the Coopers Dark Ale?

[joechianti]

So... Is the MB Winter Dark the same as the Coopers Dark Ale?

I've tried them both, and you may as well say they're the same. I fixed them a little different, but there's no mistaking the fact that they're close if not identical.

[pocketjr]

Next question.... Coopers sub for MB booster? Brew Enhancer 1? 2? Coopers brewing sugar?

[swenocha]

Mr. B still sells booster, I believe, but you could sub with either brew enhancer, or, better yet, some pale LME/DME.

[pocketjr]

Mr. B still sells booster, I believe, but you could sub with either brew enhancer, or, better yet, some pale LME/DME.

Okay but.... Original recipe calls for 1 can Winter dark, 1 pouch of brewmax robust, and a pouch of booster.

I'm already subing winter dark for Coops Dark Ale and the brewmax for Coops Dark Liquid Malt.

You would add more DME to that? If so, what kind?