Austin brewing

[Metsbrew]

Just made my first batch today. I was looking at the kits on this site for my second batch. They look very reasonably priced. Does anyone have any experience with them? I was looking at the clone brews, how are they? also if I order today will I have for Saturday? And are the indgrediants ok to ship? Thanks

 

[GoldMiner]

I've used them several times and have been very happy with the quality of the kits and the directions which come with them.

 

[AFAJ Brew Guy]

If by Austin Brewing you are referring to Austin Homebrew Supply, then yes I would say that a few of us have bought stuff from there.

As for me, I would say that 8 out of my 10 orders are made through AHS.

Very good company, very good customer service, just real good all the way around. Highly recommended.

 

[Revvy]

Yeah, if you are reffering to Austin Homebrew Supply, you will find that a vast majority of us have used them for one thing or another.

Forrest, the owner is one of our distinguished members here. And actively participates in the forums here, not just shilling for his company, but actually being a part of our community.

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

AHS's kits are very good.

I'm sure other places have great kits as well, but since I live in Dallas they are the quickest to ship to me and I have been very happy with the products and service.

 

[Austinhomebrew]

I highly recommend Austin Homebrew Supply.

Just sayin'.

Forrest

 

[david83]

i just made a order with them and got a kit that was one of their promotional kits, flat rate shipping and fairly qiuck seeing it went from texas to ct.i will be shopping with them again,and would recomend them also.

 

[Wellshooter]

I think AHS has the best web site in the home brewing industry. Well organized with detailed explanations of the items. It sure makes it easy to find what you want or explore new hardware. As for the kits, I have found every one of them to be complete, and the instructions are excellent. Some I have brewed didn't turn out exactly as I expected, but that is probably more my fault than theirs. I have ordered a lot of kits from them in the last year.

If I am ordering liquid yeast I always try to order on Sunday evening. That way I get it usually by Wednesday but definitely by Thursday. I don't want my yeast sitting on the UPS truck over the weekend in July or August. In northern climates you might worry about January.

 

[david83]

yeah i opted not to get the yeast shipped rather i went to the lhbs and got it from them since it was coming into a cold spell were having in ct

 

[jmkratt]

I posted a similar thread about AHS, didn't see this one, sorry.

I had a couple questions though:

It was my 2nd solo brew. It was an AHS Spiced American Wheat kit. Everything went ok for the most part but I had a few questions.

1. The kit came with a large mesh bag that the directions didn't reference, any idea what this is? Not a meslin bag.

2. The kit came with a 14 oz. Alcohol Boost which was added at boil. Does this affect my OG? Mine was slightly higher than the kit OG.

3. I used the yeast fuel that also came with the kit. Is this necessary? First solo brew fermented just fine without.

I am not worried about the outcome of the beer, just more curious as to the nature of the questions. I want to know and understand what each addition does and how it affects the reading and the beer, hopefully that makes sense.

Thanks in advance for any input. Thank you!

 

[Austinhomebrew]

1. The kit came with a large mesh bag that the directions didn't reference, any idea what this is? Not a meslin bag.

The mesh bag is for steeping the grain. It may be made of nylon.

2. The kit came with a 14 oz. Alcohol Boost which was added at boil. Does this affect my OG? Mine was slightly higher than the kit OG.

The alcohol boost is completly optional. It is a highly fermentable sugar for the yeast to eat. Since the OG is a reading of how much sugar is in the batch, adding more sugar will raise your OG. The final gravity will be close but not always correct. We cannot predict it exactly

3. I used the yeast fuel that also came with the kit. Is this necessary? First solo brew fermented just fine without.

Yeast Fuel is a proprietary blent of nutrients for the yeast. It is not absolutely necessary but it is like vitamins you take. It makes sure you have a really healthy fermentation. It can take as much as 2 days off of your fermentation time. Makes the beer ferment clearer and taste better.

Forrest

 

[Shooter]

I'd only ever ordered a Coopers kit through Austin Homebrew Supply. However, the order shipped without problem and I just ordered and received a couple more Coopers kits, that's right Coopers kits, so sue me, and an American wheat extract kit through them. I'll be brewing up the wheat kit soon, but am, once again, impressed with the speed and accuracy of my order! I've got a couple of decent sized places within a half an hour drive, Williams Brewing and More Beer, and have used them both, but still see myself ordering from Austin again in the future.

 

[Revvy]

I highly recommend Austin Homebrew Supply.

Just sayin'.

Forrest

What do you know about it anyway, have you ever ordered from there??

 

[Goatey]

I just used to Yeast Fuel in my Promotional British IPA. I finished the beer around 6 PM and when I got back to my apartment at midnight, my airlock was already bubbling. So it was bubbling in less than six hours.

Basically, as I understand it really does speed up the fermenting process. According to what I've read on the message boards, once you've started using it you won't go back.

 

[Haputanlas]

I fortunately live near Austin Homebrew Supply and can walk in when I want.

I would have to agree as well that I haven't seen any other Homebrew supply shop online that compares to their selection.

I am currently brewing their Live Oak Hef Clone. It's in the secondary and I got an initial smell/taste of it last night. If the end result tastes anywhere near as good as it smells, this will be golden!

My entire house smells wonderful right now.

AHS also has a fantastic crew of employees. They have been unbelievably helpful for me while I've been starting this beer journey.

 

[MississippiSlim]

I brewed their Alaskan Amber Clone and the Texas Blonde kit Saturday. I was very impressed with the directions and the kit as well as how fast they got it to me. I will be ordering again soon from AHS. I also like the fact that Forrest is a member here.

 

[jmkratt]

I have now several orders under my newbie belt and have come to love AHS. Easily the best to learn extraction from. In my limited experience their quality has been far and away better than the others I have tried. Thanks guys! Big fan!

 

[oldtrucker]

I brewed 1 of Austins Sam Adams clones. Some of you may have read about the semi disaster that took place just before the boil ended. After bottling and the prescribed conditioning time the beer is still good! It must have boiled to long, cause it's a bit darker and a little to bitter. If Austins kits can survive my disaster and still be good, THEY ROCK, BABY!
oldtrucker

 

[Austinhomebrew]

Old Trucker - Is that Marion, IA? My wife grew up in Marion Ia and I am from Iowa City.

Forrest

 

[oldtrucker]

No sir. Marion, La. a little no stop light community in Union parish.
oldtrucker

 

[el_bandito]

I've actually heard a lot of good stuff about Austin Homebrew Supply ... Not just from this site but from others ... I think I'm gonna get my next clone kit from them ...

 

[LarryC]

Just got two kits from them last week and I think it took 3 or 4 business days to get to San Diego.

My only complaint is they have so many recipes it's hard to choose