Coopers Ale Yeast

[Boomhauer]

Is this stuff any good? I picked up a pack of it because it was cheap, but I don't know anything about it.

I suppose I could look it up, bit I figured if there's a thread here on the subject Googlers in the future can read about it here :)

[Milf Man]

To me, it has always been a "meh" yeast.

It is an inoffensive, British style ale Yeast that flocs so so.

You can do better, and there are a few that to me are worse.

When I was starting out nearly 30 years ago it was about all we could get and I have to confess I haven't used it in many years.

Cheers,

MILF Man

[Beezy]

The stuff isn't even vacuum packed is it? I have never done kits but from what I understand that's the weak link of those kits. I have heard you can give Coopers some good yeast and they turn out nice. It's too bad I got into this hobby after the prices jumped but I see no reason to cheap out on the yeast.

[Boomhauer]

No, it isn't vacuum packed.

It was only a buck for the package. I figured I'd keep it around for that inevitable day in the future when I run out of washed yeast, or realize that my Planned yeast is bad and the wort is in the fermenter ready to go.

If it expires before then it's no big loss, but at least I know now that it isn't that bad in a pinch.

[BlindLemonLars]

The Milf Man has it right. In my opinion, both Cooper's and Munton's are a throwback to a primitive time in the history of homebrewing and represent the stuff that to this day makes some people suspicious of dried yeast. The products from Safale are vastly superior and IMO are just as good as the equivalent liquid strains.

The very first can of extract I bought back around 1985 or so had a little square packet of yeast affixed to the top with a yellowed piece of tape. It looked like a moist towelette (or a wrinkled old condom from a teenager's wallet,) had a cartoon picture of a mug of beer and said "Beer Yeast," no more, no less. When I see Cooper's or Munton's yeast, that nasty little packet is what I think of.

[Peteoz77]

Easy on the Aussie Yeasts there boys...

But seriously, I wouldn't use any of them either. If your 2 1/2 cases of beer isn't worth $5 for US05, then don't brew it.

[vtchuck]

I just did an APA and split the batch. One half got US-05 and the other 2 packs of Coopers (7 g size 99¢).

I've got the Coopers batch on tap now.... it cleared up nicely with cold crashing and gelatin. Seems pretty clean tasting. No problems that I can discern.

The US-05 batch is cold crashing now and I should be able to do a side by side tasting in a day or two, but based on my previous use of 05 w/ this
recipe, I don't expect much difference.

[zoebisch01]

I have noticed under certain conditions it can produce detectable levels of Diacetyl, oddly enough. At least that was how I recall it. As kind of stated already, it will make beer and there are better choices out there. Fine as a backup, in fact I think I have a pack floating around just in case something goes wrong or I am experimenting with something. *shrug*. It's yeast that will work for brewing.

[BlindLemonLars]

It's yeast that will work for brewing.

Their slogan should be "Better than bread yeast!" :cool:

Chuck, I wonder if those 7g packets are part of the problem...causing most people to under-pitch with each batch.

[zoebisch01]

Their slogan should be "Better than bread yeast!" :cool:


I concur. :D

[vtchuck]

Chuck, I wonder if those 7g packets are part of the problem...causing most people to under-pitch with each batch.

I always thought that was weird.... They make a 7g and a 15g pack. Everyone else does 11g. I keep a few packs around for an emergency.

I used to like "that Notty" as a cheap reliable dry yeast, but with all their quality control issues, I haven't used it for anything other than cider.

Btw, my dry yeast prices at the LHBS are not too bad... 2.09 for S-04 & US-05, 1.99 for Windsor. WL liquids are up to $7.79... so I buy only for special brews

like lagers when I know I can repitch on the cake two or three times