[brewmonk]

I'm new to the homebrew scene and have only one batch under my belt.  It was a basic stout kit.  But for my second batch, I'd like to something a bit better than a standard kit.  However, when I ordered my homebrew kit, I got a can of Cooper's Lager extract kit that I don't want to waste, but I don't really want to just do a "lager" (even though it uses ale yeast).

My basic question is: can I just substitute the Cooper's extract as I would a light extract?  I'm assuming this wouldn't be wise, but was wondering how could I use the lager kit as a basis for something.  I'm really not familiar with recipe design as to what would work and what wouldn't.  I'm not even sure what styles I should consider, if it is possible.

[hopaddicted]

I'm not familiar with Coopers specifically, but there is little difference between a regular pils(lager) and pale base malt.

Do you know what brand/strain of yeast is included?

Safest bet is probably a pale ale, IPA, or amber, if you're willing to supplement the kit with a small amount of specialty grains and/or hops. Take a look in brewWiki.

Be careful and check to see if the Cooper's extract is hopped or unhopped. If it is hopped, the hops have already been 'boiled' into the extract, so you will already have a bittering base.

Hope that's helpful to get you started. Ping questions away, a ton of knowledge out there on this forum.

[majorvices]

Pils malt works great in light american ales, APAs, and IPAs.

[a10t2]

I'd just use it for starters. Cooper's ingredients don't have a great reputation, and I believe all of their kits are pre-hopped.

[brewmonk]

Yes, it is already hopped extract.  But I am willing to add extra grains or hops to it.  I was thinking of using a specialty grain, and if possible some other hop, maybe a finishing hop.  I should probably keep it simple though since I am still learning.

[hopaddicted]

IMHO I have found making simple recipes a much better tool to learn the flavor profiles of your malts/hops/techniques. This will give you your foundation and you can better add layers to your brewing as you become a better brewmaster.

I started with a bunch of recipes with all kinds of stuff and it made it harder to isolate where flavors came from. There are so many styles that benefit from simplicity.

Just food for thought, we all learn different ways.

[brewmonk]

I think I figured out what I am trying to ask:

With hopped malt extract, what does the hopped part replace in a typical recipe? ie can I still do some hopping or does that take care of all the hops you would want?

[bassriverbrewer]

The hopped part replaces the bittering hops you could add more for the full boil but I don't know how bitter the extract is.  I'd make a pale ale or bitter with specialty grains and add late hop additions for flavor and aroma.  Try it and see if it needs more bitterness next time

[hopaddicted]

I'd make a pale ale or bitter with specialty grains and add late hop additions for flavor and aroma.

+1 you'll get the most bang for your buck with a small tweak of a couple of specialty grains and/or late (flavor/aroma) hop additions

[Malticulous]

I'd use it as plain LME but scale the IBUs back 10 IBU.

[brewmonk]

Thanks everyone, those do help.  I'm thinking of doing a dark bock type thing with a recipe I found specifically for this can of hopped malt extract, which uses some chocolate malt grain and some finishing hops.

I think the 2nd hardest thing about brewing beer (after the waiting) is trying to figure out what to brew.  So ... many ... choices! 

[hopaddicted]

Figuring out what to brew is definitely one of the hardest parts, but in a sadistic way also the most enjoyable (assuming you have a HB in hand to do so with)!