Coopers Stout fixed my flat, bland brew—and gave me a pour I’m proud to share

June 26, 2025

How a Classic Stout Kit Helped Me Brew a Pint Worthy of a Pub Tap

Primary Keyword: Coopers Original Stout
Complementary Keywords: homebrew stout recipe, brewing stout at home, easy beer kit

I never thought a $2 coin and a cold night would kick off my love affair with dark beer. Years ago, after a dud BBQ and a warm lager, my mate handed me a glass of his homemade stout — rich, roasty, almost like a liquid campfire. I swore right then, “One day, I’ll make a stout better than this.”

It took me a while. My first few brews? Flat, soupy, bitter in all the wrong ways. Then I picked up a trusty kit from the shop — the Coopers Original Stout. That changed the game.

This one’s a beauty — dark brown with a head that sticks around like good footy banter. It gives off coffee, chocolate, and grain notes right from the tin. But the real magic? It’s forgiving. And that matters when you’re still figuring out what the heck an FG reading is.

Step 1: Choose the Right Brew Day

Pick a cold, quiet arvo. Overcast is best — there’s something poetic about brewing stout while the clouds hang low. Music on, phone off. Just you, your gear, and the grainy, chocolate malt smell that kicks in when you stir up that first mix.

Step 2: Sterilise Like You Mean It

You can’t skip this bit. I once tried a quick rinse job — that batch ended up tasting like wet bread wrapped in Band-Aids. Get yourself a proper no-rinse sanitiser and scrub everything: fermenter, spoon, airlock, even the lid.

Step 3: Hot Water + Gorgeous Goo

Soak that Coopers Original Stout tin in hot water for five minutes. When you pop it open, don’t be surprised if half your memories flash back to bakery mornings or Mum’s chocolate pudding. Pour it into your fermenter and mix in two litres of boiling water until it’s smooth as a footy commentator’s voice.

Step 4: Boost the Body (Optional — But Seriously Worth It)

If you want a creamy, full mouthfeel, stir in 500g of dark malt extract or dried malt. It gives that chewy body your mates will rave about. We’ve got great quality malt on the shelf that pairs beautifully with this kit — just ask us, and we’ll set you right.

Step 5: Top Up & Balance It Out

Fill with cool water up to 23 litres. Aim to hit around 20–22°C once mixed. Any warmer and you’re inviting off flavours, especially with darker beers. A budget-friendly stick-on thermometer strip is a no-brainer addition to your setup if you haven’t got one yet.

Step 6: Pitch the Yeast & Trust the Process

Cut open the yeast sachet (don’t sneeze!) and sprinkle it evenly across the top. No need to stir. Seal the fermenter, fit the airlock, and let it rest in a cool, dark corner. A brew belt can help keep temps steady in chillier weather — and it’s saved more than one winter batch around here.

Step 7: Wait, Bottle, Brag

Give it 10 to 14 days depending on temp. Always check final gravity twice over two days before bottling, just to be sure. When it’s ready, bottle it with a carbonation drop or your sugar of choice. Then give it two weeks minimum to condition — a month or more if you want that smooth, aged character.

“Don’t rush a stout — it rewards patience in a way pale ales just can’t.”
— From my brew log, three stouts deep

Did It Work Though?

Let me put it this way: I cracked my first bottle under a pergola, poured it into a schooner glass, and watched that caramel-brown head rise like froth from a barista’s best pour. Bitterness balanced the chocolate. The finish was dry with a hint of roasted grain. I actually said out loud, “Bloody nailed it.”

That stout got passed around between mates. One said “Tastes better than anything I’ve bought lately.” Another asked where he could get the kit. That’s the moment you realise — not every good beer has to come from a taproom. Some just come from your shed.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Temperature control matters — too hot and the yeast throws fits.
Dark beers are more forgiving than you think — but still need care.
Good ingredients make the difference — don’t skimp on the malt.
Sharing your brew is half the fun. Maybe more than half.

Thinking of Brewing Your First Stout?

Start with something that’s stood the test of time — Coopers Original Stout. You don’t need a degree or a flash brew rig. Just a kettle, a fermenter, and a bit of patience. If you’ve got questions, we’re here. Whether that's adjusting bitterness or picking the right sugar, we’ve brewed enough stout to steer you right.

One More Thing Before You Go…

The best stout you brew won’t come from luck — it’ll come from learning as you go. But when you get that first sip right — that one that makes your mate raise an eyebrow and say “You brewed this?” — you’ll know it was worth every cleaned spoon, every temperature check, every minute waiting.

You don’t need a fancy setup or a second fridge full of beers you didn’t make. You need a plan, a tin, and a bit of care.

Cheers to darker pints and better brew days —
— Candeece