somecallmetex

Recipes 

I recently found that I had an LHBS fairly close to me, but their kits are fairly expensive (Brewers Best). Even factoring shipping the midwest kits often are cheaper. Does anyone know if there is a quality difference between these two brands?

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Primary- On hiatus until full wort setup complete

Secondary - EdWort's Apfelwein (Jun '11), (Feb '12), (Feb '12),

Agin/Drinking-EdWort's Apfelwein EC-1118) (Jan '11), Chocolate Raspberry Port (Fall '10), Blackberry Port (Fall '11)

Aaronh2500

Recipes 

I don't have a comparison yet as I have only brewed from Brewer's best kits up to this point and have had alot of success. However, I just received my first Midwest kit (Liberty Cream Ale) and will be boiling this one as soon as I move my Brewer's Best American Nut Brown into the secondary.

Brocster

Recipes 

For what its worth, I live by Midwest and go there at least once a week for supplies or to just wander during a work break. I literally see their shipping operation (you can't miss it if there) and can vouch that they move fresh ingredients, and lots of it, ensuring turn over.

Just a comment on Midwest, bu I can't tell you anything about Brewers Best.

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Bottled: Imperial Hefe, Saison, Apfelwein
Kegged: ESB, Foundation Stout, Brothers English IPA, Kolsch, Bavarian Hefe
Secondary: Abbey Dubbel
Primary: Imperial Cherry Bavarian Hefe, Imperial Cherry Brussel Abbey
On Deck: World Class ESB, BKRye
"People who drink light 'beer' don't like the taste of beer; they just like to pee a lot." -- Capital Brewery, Middleton, WI

Moose777

Recipes 

Midwest has quality product, no you're not sacrificing anything, as the prior poster says, they move a lot of product so it should be fresh.

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FERMENTER 1 EMTY
FERMENTER 2 EMPTY
SECONDARY

KEG 1: (ON TAP) Waldo Lake Amber
KEG 2 :(ON TAP) Imperial Stout
KEG 3: (ON TAP) Irish Red Ale [COLOR="Blue"]
KEG 4:(On Tap) Centennial Blonde
KEG 5: Creamy Bikini
KEG 6:

On deck:
Vanilla Bourbon Porter (for this winter)
Ed Worts Oktoberfest with Kolsh yeast Yummmy
Yooper Stone Ruination IPA

somecallmetex

Recipes 

Midwest is what I've been using (I just started, so none of my beer is ready to drink yet). They seem to have a far larger variety then Brewers Best, but I have to pay for shipping with them. My real concern is that Brewers Best may be lower quality.

__________________
Primary- On hiatus until full wort setup complete

Secondary - EdWort's Apfelwein (Jun '11), (Feb '12), (Feb '12),

Agin/Drinking-EdWort's Apfelwein EC-1118) (Jan '11), Chocolate Raspberry Port (Fall '10), Blackberry Port (Fall '11)

RandomSF

Recipes 

I've used both and think Midwest is better, like the difference between a hand-crafted beer and a mass-produced beer.

permo

Recipes 

I have used both, midwest is much better. The extract is much fresher and they turnover their products much quicker. Brewers best are VERY massed produced and nationally distributed.....they sit on the shelf for a long time. Midwest turns their kits over contstantly.....I couldn't be more impressed with them from the few extract kits I did when I first started brewing.

Moose777

Recipes 

Also check out Northern Brewer and Austin Home Brew ..Large online suppliers who will have very fresh product

__________________
FERMENTER 1 EMTY
FERMENTER 2 EMPTY
SECONDARY

KEG 1: (ON TAP) Waldo Lake Amber
KEG 2 :(ON TAP) Imperial Stout
KEG 3: (ON TAP) Irish Red Ale [COLOR="Blue"]
KEG 4:(On Tap) Centennial Blonde
KEG 5: Creamy Bikini
KEG 6:

On deck:
Vanilla Bourbon Porter (for this winter)
Ed Worts Oktoberfest with Kolsh yeast Yummmy
Yooper Stone Ruination IPA

somecallmetex

Recipes 

Same problem, have to pay for shipping.

__________________
Primary- On hiatus until full wort setup complete

Secondary - EdWort's Apfelwein (Jun '11), (Feb '12), (Feb '12),

Agin/Drinking-EdWort's Apfelwein EC-1118) (Jan '11), Chocolate Raspberry Port (Fall '10), Blackberry Port (Fall '11)

mordantly

Recipes 

midwest, williams, and northern brewer all have never shipped me anything stale.