11 replies to this topic

[Brian72]

I was in the liquor store today (they have a small homebrew and winemaking section) and noticed the Brewers Best kits were totally revamped. They added a few different styles and the kits that were supposed to be lager-like (lager kits packed with ale yeast) now are packed with Saflager yeast. So I picked up a porter kit (they also had smoked porter) and a Black Lager kit to try them out. Should be fun to get back to what I started with ad see how they turn out...

[ncbeerbrewer]

Good Luck. I have not used or seen those kits in 10 years since I started brewing. Good Luck with the beers and hope they turn out good for you.

[Kremer]

Those BB kits are what I started with, the porter is pretty darn good. My two extract brewing neighbors still use the kits with good results.

[Brian72]

Those BB kits are what I started with, the porter is pretty darn good. My two extract brewing neighbors still use the kits with good results.

They are what they are. Its what I started out with before moving on to making up my own extract recipes and eventually all grain. Since I cant make an all grain dark beer to save my life I figured I'd try these and see how they turn out.

[Kremer]

...Since I cant make an all grain dark beer to save my life I figured I'd try these and see how they turn out.

What's the problem with AG darks? IMHO they are more forgiving than light. My first AG was Jamil's Robust Porter recipe. It was awesome.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

What's the problem with AG darks? IMHO they are more forgiving than light. My first AG was Jamil's Robust Porter recipe. It was awesome.

probably a water issue

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I was in the liquor store today (they have a small homebrew and winemaking section) and noticed the Brewers Best kits were totally revamped. They added a few different styles and the kits that were supposed to be lager-like (lager kits packed with ale yeast) now are packed with Saflager yeast. So I picked up a porter kit (they also had smoked porter) and a Black Lager kit to try them out. Should be fun to get back to what I started with ad see how they turn out...

what are these kits comprised of? I take it they are a big step up from Mr. Beer?

[Kremer]

what are these kits comprised of? I take it they are a big step up from Mr. Beer?

yes. they are prepackaged extract with steeping grain kits, they even come with bottle caps.

[BarelyBrews]

I started with MR.Beer/then some extract batches(thrown together by a newby) /then Brewer's Best kits( which helped me get organized more) . I did like the porter kit, that much i remember and the stout kit(?) i think they had one. Then within a year i went all-grain. Surprised no one has posted a link to there site yet.https://www.brewersbestkits.com

[Brian72]

what are these kits comprised of? I take it they are a big step up from Mr. Beer?

They are just the basic extract beer kits, usually come with DME, LME or both. Steeping grains if needed, hop pellets and yeast. Also included are bottle caps and priming sugar. Everything is pre-measured so all you have to do is read the recipe and follow the time schedules. Linky

[Big Nake]

My first few recipes were Brewer's Best. They came in a box with the extract (sometimes Muntons in a can, sometimes DME, sometimes a combination), pellet hops and various strains of dry yeast. My first one was an amber, second one a pale ale and then some sort of American Wheat. I think they were a great introduction and even though there was a TON of learning along the way (and I realized that I really knew nothing at the time except for how to follow the instructions), it turned out that they made beer and helped introduce me to brewing. I remember there being quite a few styles and this was in 1999. Cheers.Ps. I believe they also came with 50 caps and priming sugar too.

[Stout_fan]

Ken,some of my early batches were done by them as well. Overall IIRC, a fairly good kit.