Any Austin Homebrew Reviews?

[Fiery Sword]

I'm thinking of ordering a few kits from Austin Homebrew - a place I wouldn't have known of w/o the help of the Homebrew Supply WebSite thread at this a'here forum. I'm already getting worried that once I bottle/keg up the Cheesfood CCA, Prickly Pear Mead, Celebration Ale AND after I wort up the Nut Brown, West Coast Red and Prickly Pear II I'M OUT OF INGREDIENTS!!!!!!! Must stay ahead of game.

Regardless......I wanted to know if anyone had particular kits from Austin that they had some input, data or comments on. Anything stick out as excellent? I'm looking towards a Stout or Porter for this go-round, but I could be convinced otherwise. Possibly the Sweet Stout Ale, the Oatameal Stout Ale or maybe the London Porter.

Also, anyone have any luck with their clone kits? I tend to shy away from the clones but I am intrigued that they have a clone kit for Sam Adams Black Lager. Tempting.

Thanks for any info.....and peace.

 

[david_42]

Their Rogue Mocha Porter is spot on. I don't know how the Whistling Pig Red compares to the real thing, but it is a great Red. Ditto Old Dog Brown. I enjoy doing their clones, because I can have ales that are not available out here. And sometimes an ale description just grabs my attention so I try it.

 

[ryser2k]

I've done probably a dozen of their kits and I don't have a single complaint...

 

[Bobby_M]

Well, I've gotten one kit from morebeer and two from AHS and I like AHS a little better because they ship the LME in a better container (bucket) and they include a grain bag. The only complaint I had was that the grain, inside the grainbag, was not put into its own plastic bag and the instructions, hop and yeast packets covered in grain dust. Not a huge deal.

 

[berudd]

My next batch will be their Blue Moon clone. Glad to hear that others have had success with them. I will say to their credit, they responded to my email question about this kit in less than a day. Actually, I sent the email yesterday afternoon and the responded this morning. So, they gained some of my confidence in customer support at the least.

I will post and opinion of the kit when I get it going.

Hey, Bobby_M you are not by any chance on Mototalk under same handel are you?

Bruce

 

[KopyKat]

I have done many of AHS kits and love their clones because they are usually spot on. They have hundreds to choose from. More than any brew shop I know of. I did a Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter clone and won 2nd in a contest with it.
As well as clones, the AHS recipes are great and many have won awards.
Their AHS Nut Brown recipe is dynamite. I did a mini mash of this and still have a few bottles left.
I think you would be very satisfied with and recipes you get from them.

 

[Bobby_M]

Hey, Bobby_M you are not by any chance on Mototalk under same handel are you?

Bruce

I'm on a ton of forums, most with the same screenname, but Mototalk ain't one of them. ;-)

 

[disaffected]

I ordered the Rogue Shakespeare Stout all-grain kit from AHBS, and I'm pleased with it so far. I haven't tasted the beer because it's still in primary and I'm only just ready to rack it to secondary.

But I can give you my impressions of the quality of the kit. In a word, top class. The kit was very well put together and well packaged with great instructions and quality ingredients. I don't think you can go wrong with AHBS.

 

[Fiery Sword]

Thanks all for the info. I just placed an order for the AHS Irish Red and the Rogue Shakespeare Stout clone (w/ pacman). I was swayed from the Mocha Porter by another thread about the Shakespeare clone .......if this kit is ANYWHERE near as good as the Rogue product I'll be extatic. Mocah Porter is next - thanks for the tip david!

 

[TheJadedDog]

I'm pretty happy with the Newcastle clone I did from them, still aging the Dead Guy...

 

[JnJ]

Good to see the positive feed back on AHS. I just ordered the Irish Red Ale and Fat Tire clone. Being in Texas means I have to pay taxes, but with shipping only $5.99, it aint bad.

 

[Rookie]

Well, I've gotten one kit from morebeer and two from AHS and I like AHS a little better because they ship the LME in a better container (bucket) and they include a grain bag. The only complaint I had was that the grain, inside the grainbag, was not put into its own plastic bag and the instructions, hop and yeast packets covered in grain dust. Not a huge deal.

The only time that I ordered from Austin I opened the box and a one pound bag of grain had come open and I had a real fun time picking the grain from the packing peanuts. Then some months later I opened a package of hops to discover that air had been sealed in with the hops and all they would have been good for was a lambic.