I'm in the middle of making my first brew. It is a PM Whisky Stout from a Brewer's Best Kit. This is a new Recipe from them, therefore the ingredients are fresh. However, the local brew store told me to buy the ingredients fresh from them b/c the kits have old products. This makes since to me. However, I am no expert and probably can't taste the difference b/t the 2. So my question is, unless I'm entering my beers in some kind of contest, does it really matter if I buy the kits or buy the ingredients fresh out of the stores? Also same question about PM vs All grain brewing?
Kits vs Fresh ingredients and All grain vs PM
- Thread starter Dawgbrew
- Start date
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Fresh ingredients are a good thing of course, but I wouldn't automatically assume that your LHBS has fresher supplies than the brewer's best kits. They might, but they might not. As for whether or not it makes a difference to you, that is ultimately a call that only you can make. I have been unhappy with a batch or two in the past for reasons that I blamed on ingredient age. LME in particular seems to get funky when it gets old.
As for PM vs. AG, people have wide opinions on this. Personally, I have never found extract to adversely affect the taste of a finished beer. I am very comfortable with my AG system, but I still make extract beers from time to time just because it is so easy. They're great. Grain certainly gives you control over variables that extract does not, but whether or not that is important depends on what you are trying to do.
As for PM vs. AG, people have wide opinions on this. Personally, I have never found extract to adversely affect the taste of a finished beer. I am very comfortable with my AG system, but I still make extract beers from time to time just because it is so easy. They're great. Grain certainly gives you control over variables that extract does not, but whether or not that is important depends on what you are trying to do.
FensterBos
Well-Known Member
+1 MalFet
I have always purchased separate yeast in addition to what they give in the package. What also concerns be about the kits is if the hops have been sitting unrefrigerated for an extended period of time. Even though they has good staying power, the hops will eventually go bad.
I recommend researching recipes and creating your own kits because you have a little more control over what you use. But as long as the kits seem recently packaged you'll be fine either way.
I have always purchased separate yeast in addition to what they give in the package. What also concerns be about the kits is if the hops have been sitting unrefrigerated for an extended period of time. Even though they has good staying power, the hops will eventually go bad.
I recommend researching recipes and creating your own kits because you have a little more control over what you use. But as long as the kits seem recently packaged you'll be fine either way.
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