Coopers Vintage Ale '23

  • MaltyMalty
  • HoppyHoppy
  • CitrusCitrus
  • SweetSweet
Sale price$62.50
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It’s time to partake in the annual tradition of brewing the Coopers Vintage Ale! Alike previous years, the 2023 unique brew showcases a carefully curated hop and malt bill, that is sure to standout. This year, we introduce two hops, firstly HBC 638, an emerging experimental hop and secondly Talus, a fruit forward dual-purpose hop. Prepare to be delighted by intense floral and citrus aromas, accompanied by bold flavours of grapefruit, stonefruit, oak, coconut, and pine that grace the palate. Meticulously crafted, this brew results in a rich, balanced, and full-bodied ale with a firm bitterness. Whether you indulge in it immediately or opt for the cellar, the Coopers Vintage Ale ’23 promises an evolution of complexity as the flavours continue to develop over time.

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Recipe Contains

1 × Thomas Coopers Family Secret Amber Ale (1.7kg)
1 × Thomas Coopers Wheat Malt Extract (1.5kg)
1 × Dextrose (1kg)
4 × Dark Crystal Malt (100g)
1 × Carbonation Drops (250g)

You'll Need

1 × 25g HBC 638 Hops
1 × 25g Talus Hops
1 × Coopers Commercial Yeast Culture (or use the supplied brew can yeast)

Beer Style: Ale

Colour (EBC): 46
Volume: 22L
Difficulty: Expert

ABV 7.5%

Alcohol by Volume

65 IBU

International Bitterness Units

EBC 46

Colour

This Recipe

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Ingredients

1 x 1.7kg Thomas Coopers Family Secret Amber Ale
1 x 1.5kg Thomas Coopers Wheat Malt Extract
1 x 1kg Coopers Dextrose
1 x 400g Dark Crystal Malt
1 x 25g HBC 638 Hops
1 x 25g Talus Hops
1 x Coopers Commercial Yeast Culture (or use the supplied brew can yeast)
1 x 250g Coopers Carbonation Drops

Mix

Place the Dark Crystal Malt in a plastic zip-lock sandwich bag and crack it using a rolling pin.
In a good size pot (around 5 Litres) bring 3 litres of water to approximately 60-70°C.
Add the crushed Dark Crystal Malt (we recommend wrapping in a mesh cleaning cloth, pulled straight
from the wrapper), and let steep for about 30 minutes.
Remove the Dark Crystal Malt by gathering up the corners of the mesh cloth and lift, allowing the
liquid to drain from the malt back into the pot.
Bring the liquid to the boil for and half of the HBC 638 Hops. Boil gently for 30 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and add half of the Talus Hops into the liquid and let steep for 20
minutes.
Set the pot in a cold/ice water bath to cool (approx. 15 minutes) then strain into a fermenting vessel
(FV).
Add the contents of the Family Secret Amber Ale, the Wheat Malt Extract and the Dextrose, then stir
to dissolve.
Fill with cool water to the 18 litre mark, stir vigorously and check the brew temperature.
Top up to the 22 litre mark with warm or cold water (refrigerated if necessary) to get as close to 18C
as possible.
Add the Coopers Commercial Yeast Culture &/or sprinkle the brew can yeast, then fit the lid.
Click here to view our how-to-video on Harvesting Commercial Yeast

Home Recipes COOPERS VINTAGE ALE '23

Coopers Vintage Ale '23

It’s time to partake in the annual tradition of brewing the Coopers Vintage Ale! Alike previous years, the 2023 unique brew showcases a carefully curated hop and malt bill, that is sure to standout. This year, we introduce two hops, firstly HBC 638, an emerging experimental hop and secondly Talus, a fruit forward dual-purpose hop. Prepare to be delighted by intense floral and citrus aromas, accompanied by bold flavours of grapefruit, stonefruit, oak, coconut, and pine that grace the palate. Meticulously crafted, this brew results in a rich, balanced, and full-bodied ale with a firm bitterness. Whether you indulge in it immediately or opt for the cellar, the Coopers Vintage Ale ’23 promises an evolution of complexity as the flavours continue to develop over time.

Coopers Vintage Ale '23
Beer Style Ale
Flavour Profile Malty, Hoppy, Citrus, Sweet
Alcohol Content 7.5%
Colour (EBC) 46
Bitterness (IBU) 65
Volume 22L
Difficulty Expert

Ingredients

1 x 1.7kg Thomas Coopers Family Secret Amber Ale
1 x 1.5kg Thomas Coopers Wheat Malt Extract
1 x 1kg Coopers Dextrose
1 x 400g Dark Crystal Malt
1 x 25g HBC 638 Hops
1 x 25g Talus Hops
1 x Coopers Commercial Yeast Culture (or use the supplied brew can yeast)
1 x 250g Coopers Carbonation Drops

1. Mix

Place the Dark Crystal Malt in a plastic zip-lock sandwich bag and crack it using a rolling pin.
In a good size pot (around 5 Litres) bring 3 litres of water to approximately 60-70°C.
Add the crushed Dark Crystal Malt (we recommend wrapping in a mesh cleaning cloth, pulled straight
from the wrapper), and let steep for about 30 minutes.
Remove the Dark Crystal Malt by gathering up the corners of the mesh cloth and lift, allowing the
liquid to drain from the malt back into the pot.
Bring the liquid to the boil for and half of the HBC 638 Hops. Boil gently for 30 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and add half of the Talus Hops into the liquid and let steep for 20
minutes.
Set the pot in a cold/ice water bath to cool (approx. 15 minutes) then strain into a fermenting vessel
(FV).
Add the contents of the Family Secret Amber Ale, the Wheat Malt Extract and the Dextrose, then stir
to dissolve.
Fill with cool water to the 18 litre mark, stir vigorously and check the brew temperature.
Top up to the 22 litre mark with warm or cold water (refrigerated if necessary) to get as close to 18C
as possible.
Add the Coopers Commercial Yeast Culture &/or sprinkle the brew can yeast, then fit the lid.
Click here to view our how-to-video on Harvesting Commercial Yeast

2. Brew

Place the FV in a location out of direct sunlight and try to ferment at 18C.
Fermentation should take 10 to 14 days.
At around Day 7, add the remaining HBC 638 Hops and Talus Hops (we recommend wrapping in a
mesh cleaning cloth, pulled straight from the wrapper) and place directly on top of the brew, then refit the lid.
On day 10, check the specific gravity (SG).
Check the SG again the following day and so on.

3. Bottle

The brew is ready once the SG has stabilised over a couple of days, expect about 1010 to 1015.
Gently fill clean PET bottles to about 3cm from the top. Sturdy reusable glass bottles, designed for
storing beer, should be used if planning to keep some of the brew in bottle beyond 12 months.
Add 2 carbonation drops per bottle and secure the caps.
Store the bottles upright in a location out of direct sunlight at or above 18C.

4. Enjoy

After at least two weeks, check for sufficient carbonation by squeezing the PET bottles.
Bottles kept unrefrigerated should improve with age.
When ready to drink, chill the bottles upright.
The chilled beer may be poured into clean glassware, leaving the sediment behind.
Expect the alcohol content to be approximately 7.5% ABV.

Common Questions

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