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Author Topic: Reputable kits online  (Read 4703 times)

Offline erockrph

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Reputable kits online
« on: January 07, 2012, 01:21:24 pm »
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?
Eric B.

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Offline Hokerer

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2012, 01:33:07 pm »
You'll be happy with the kits from any of those places.
Joe

Offline gymrat

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2012, 01:59:10 pm »
I have had excellent experiences with kits from Northern Brewer and Midwest Supplies.
Ralph's Brewery
Topeka, KS

Offline denny

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2012, 02:02:42 pm »
I can personally vouch for the Rye IPA and Waldo Lake amber kits from NB.
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Offline a10t2

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2012, 02:04:48 pm »
I can personally vouch for the Rye IPA and Waldo Lake amber kits from NB.

Imagine that. ;)

erockrph, in addition to the shops you mentioned, you could probably add half a dozen other to the list. MoreBeer and Rebel Brewer come to mind.
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Offline denny

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2012, 02:24:48 pm »
I can personally vouch for the Rye IPA and Waldo Lake amber kits from NB.

Imagine that. ;)

erockrph, in addition to the shops you mentioned, you could probably add half a dozen other to the list. MoreBeer and Rebel Brewer come to mind.

Yep...all good places!
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline Hokerer

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2012, 03:32:29 pm »
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.
Joe

Offline denny

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2012, 03:42:58 pm »
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.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline tomsawyer

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2012, 03:46:48 pm »
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.
Lennie
Hannibal, MO

Offline Hokerer

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2012, 03:56:15 pm »
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 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".
Joe

Offline kgs

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2012, 06:40:00 pm »
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). 

Seven Bridges offers organic kits: http://www.breworganic.com/organicbeeringredientkits.aspx

I started brewing when we lived in Tallahassee, using kits, and Homebrew Den is a very nice store... a real winner. Their kits are here:

http://store.homebrewden.com/homebrew-den-recipe-kits-c40.aspx

I've heard very nice things about The Beverage People (Santa Rosa, CA): http://www.thebeveragepeople.com/beer-brewing.html
 
I love kits. They're just way more than I can brew! I'd brew kits a lot more if they came in half-sizes.
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Offline tubercle

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2012, 06:36:19 am »
All the afore mentioned places sell individual ingredients also to make you own recipie if you don't want to use a pre-determined mix.
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Offline tomsawyer

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #12 on: January 08, 2012, 08:10:02 am »
I'd brew kits a lot more if they came in half-sizes.
This is a great idea.
Lennie
Hannibal, MO

Offline kgs

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #13 on: January 08, 2012, 11:01:58 am »
All the afore mentioned places sell individual ingredients also to make you own recipie if you don't want to use a pre-determined mix.

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.)?
K.G. Schneider
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Offline tubercle

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Re: Reputable kits online
« Reply #14 on: January 08, 2012, 11:17:16 am »
All the afore mentioned places sell individual ingredients also to make you own recipie if you don't want to use a pre-determined mix.

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.
Sweet Caroline where the Sun rises over the deep blue sea and sets somewhere beyond Tennessee