I’m getting ready to brew my first batch of homebrew and from what I’m reading here a lot of you seem really down on using kits. because of my work/family schedule it’s kind of hard to get to my LHBS, so I was planning on buying a kit online from either Northern Brewer, Midwest Supplies or Austin Homebrew Supply. All of these shops offer various yeast options for their kits and most of their reviews seem pretty positive.
Is it safe to use one of these online stores for kits? Does anyone have experience with these stores?
One thing that probably ought to be mentioned, and that applies to pretty much every kit out there, is to take the instructions that come with them with a grain of salt. Participate in places like here to get the real scoop.
You can be pretty sure that the NB kits I designed come with good instructions. I’d like to think that their (and other) kits do, too, but you need to be careful. Like you say, it’s best to ask if the instructions make sense to more experienced brewers.
I use Northern Brewer a lot, they give their kit recipes on their site which is nice and they have an awesome forum. I also do business with Midwest, Morebeer and High Gravity, all good sources.
I didn’t say “disregard” them, but I do question when both the Waldo Lake and Wry Smile instructions say to “smack” a Wyeast but nothing about a starter. I question “pitch at 78F”. I question “transfer to secondary”.
Beyond the biggies… You certainly can’t go wrong with most kits from the big guys (I can attest that Morebeer makes nice kits). You get tested recipes with just the right amount of ingredients–no waste, no worry.
But many small homebrew shops also offer kits, often based on local recipes. It could be fun to say you’ve brewed a “Miccosukee IPA” when only a handful of people get that reference (a street in Tally).
tubercle, I’ve tried that route, only to end up with a freezer drawer full of “kibbles and bits.” Are there stores that will let you buy recipes with custom quantities (2 oz here, 4 oz there, etc.)?
I believe most sell only in 1 lb increments IIRC. It’s been a long time since I have bought anything other than 50 lbs sacks (I make my own “specialty” grains).
Take your kibbles & bits and make a clean-out brew. I do that about once a year. Whatever is laying around goes in the pot. Some of them have turned out quite well.
I see the extract kits are indeed! I love how they say, “Also look at our elaborate brewing instructions.” ;-) I may try one, just for fun. Thanks!
I suppose I could also split kits in half and buy extra yeast, or time things so I could pitch the second batch on the yeast cake of the first batch. Though I really like that 3-gal+ range for brewing.