No hops. No mash. Just this one kit — and a lager that tastes like pub gold.

May 6, 2025

Pub Taste Without the Pub Complexities—This Kit’s Got That Lager Magic

Thomas Coopers. Backyard sheds. Practical brewing legends. If you've ever stirred a brew bucket wondering whether the beer gods heard your prayers—you’re not alone.

There’s a point every homebrewer hits: the desire to pour a lager that’s crisp, clean, and worthy of a "cheers" around the fire, without the stress of hops measurements, sugar calcs, or thermometer meltdowns.

What if I told you it’s as easy as opening one tin?

Spoiler: You Can Brew a Pub-Worthy Lager With No Hops. Zero Mash. Just One Tin.

This isn’t wishful thinking. It’s the Thomas Coopers Golden Crown Lager (1.7kg), a true-to-style Dortmunder that brings you that slightly malty, golden goodness without needing a full brewery rig-out.

I saw it firsthand just the other week. Local bloke with a temp-blanket fermenter, no previous lagering tricks, but a big grin on his face four weeks later. Why? Because what poured from his tap was pure gold — literally and figuratively. Firm malty body, balanced bitterness, a clean finish, and that unmistakable fruity lift that lingers a few seconds after the sip... yeah, that kind of beer.

Old Recipe. No Fuss. Serious Glow-Up.

Back in 1968, Coopers rolled out the original “Gold Crown” lager — a nod to German precision and Aussie drinkability. Fast forward to today, and they’ve brought it back with a sharper yeast strain and updated profile. Still simple. Just better.

For those running lean on gear, here’s what’s magic: the kit includes a specifically selected 7g Coopers Yeast – chosen for lagers like this. No need to debate Fermentis vs Mangrove Jack this round — it’s all dialled in.

Who This Lager Is For

Newcomers wanting a win in their first few brews.
Old hands craving a dependable house lager for footy season.
Anyone whose fridge is empty and patience is thinner than bubble wrap in summer.

All you need is a clean fermenter, a bit of time (three weeks ferment and condition at least), and the right sugars — go with a 1kg Brew Enhancer 2 or dextrose mix and it’ll keep things tidy.

Pro Tip: Want it extra crispy? Bottle condition it cold at week four. You’ll hit that clear-headed, pub-on-a-stick flavour zone that makes you reach for a second before you’re done with the first.

Used to Mean Hours of Setup—Now It’s 30 Minutes Max

If you’ve tried chasing the dream lager before, chances are you’ve been hit with jargon like "step mashing", or weeks spent cold crashing in converted fridges.

This kit laughs at all that. No chiller, no hopping schedule, no Tier-1 sanitiser ritual. Just open, stir, seal — you’ve got yourself beer in the making.

So… What’s the Catch?

You still need to keep temps steady. Lager yeast works best around 13–15°C fermentation. Winter weather or a spare bar fridge on a timer will do. Keep it clean, be patient, and don’t go sticking a spoon in mid-ferment because you're curious. Unless you want weird flavours and disappointment, hands off.

And the Payoff?

The payoff is pouring a beer that looks pro, tastes legit, and leaves folks saying, “Wait, YOU made this?” without spending half your shed-time twiddling with gear or running to Google for workaround hacks.

Like I always say...

"If you’ve got bubbles in the airlock and the right yeast, you’re halfway there. The rest is timing and not fiddling too much."

Simple Setup, Serious Results: The New Way to Lager at Home

This isn’t about cheating the process — it’s about knowing which bits matter. You want a reliable way to make good beer that doesn’t test your patience or explode in the cupboard. This lager kit is the shed-brewer’s shortcut to knocking your own socks off.

And hey — if it goes well (and it will), chuck a message to the shop about sharing your batch photos. We like seeing empty glasses and smug grins. Just don’t forget who pointed you in the right direction.

Happy brewing,