Coopers' products
are unusual in that they are produced by an actual brewery. Thomas Cooper
opened Coopers Brewery in 1862 and began to brew "Red Label" Sparkling
Ale and Best Extra Stout, beers that have since become renowned among
extract brewers the world over. The Thomas Cooper brewing tradition survives
today in a line of brew kits manufactured by the Adelaide Malting Company
in South Australia.
Adelaide Malting Company malts its products using
germination/kiln boxes (concrete buildings with a perforated metal floor
about 1.9 meters above the proper concrete floor). The grain is sent
from the steeping tank to the box on a conveyor that turns the grain
as it travels. Once in the box, the grain is spread and leveled by hand.
The malt is turned three times a day. After about three or four days
of germination, the malt is kilned in place by hot air jets for 24 hours.
The original barley starts out at about 10% moisture, raises to about
45% moisture at the time of kilning, and after kilning drops to about
4-4.5%.
Adelaide Malting Co. also works with farming groups,
agricultural researchers at universities, maltsters, and brewers to
develop new barley varieties and improved malting techniques to supplement
its individual research into the development of alternative products.
Imported to North America by Consolidated Beverages (Medina, Washington).
Coopers homebrew extracts are derived from two-row barley and wheat
and are hopped using Tasmanian Pride of Ringwood hops. The grains are
grown and processed in South Australia by the Adelaide Malting Company.
All syrups are available in 1.8-kg cans.
Bitter, liquid malt extract: Produces a beer
darker than most lager-style beers with a strong, refreshing flavor
and ruby color. Styled in the old English tradition, this malt extract
is a blend of aromatic hops and pale, crystal, black, and wheat malts.
Classic old dark ale, liquid malt extract:
Produced from a selection of superior roasted malts made from the finest
South Australian two-row barley, including pale, crystal, black, and
wheat malts, this combination of roasted malts and specially selected
Tasmanian hops provides a full-flavored taste for those who prefer a
darker beer style.
Draught, liquid malt extract: This product
makes a full-flavored beer displaying a clean crisp taste with a subtle
bitter flavor, good head, and fresh bright color. This style is sometimes
better described as a draught bitter. Made of crystal and pale malts.
Lager, liquid malt extract: Produced using
the finest Australian premium pale malt barley and Tasmanian hops. When
fermented, these ingredients combine to produce a full-bodied Australian
lager.
Real ale, liquid malt extract: Creates a
beer that displays a solid head and a distinctive, full-bodied flavor
enhanced by a soft fruity character. A true ale in style and color.
Made of crystal, pale, black, and wheat malts.
Stout, liquid malt extract: The unique, rich,
and dark texture of this product is produced using a specially roasted
black malt, resulting in a full-bodied dry stout. Made of pale and black
malts.
