Solid Ingredient Kit from Midwest Supplies

[Fadeux]

I am assuming most on here are familiar with Midwest Supplies in Minneapolis. I am wondering what a solid, middle of the road beer (no pun intended) ingredient kit would be? I would like to do an ale, I don't have the equipment to lager right now. Any advice appreciated.

 

[dbreienrk1]

what sort of fermentation temperature control do you have?

 

[Fadeux]

Virtually none. If you could elaborate a bit, I may have more info. I prefer to keep my apt on the cool side if that means anything. (65-70 degrees)

 

[dbreienrk1]

Ambient temperature doesn't reflect the temperature of the fermentation vessel. Yeast are exothermic, meaning they release heat during fermentation. If your house is 70 degrees then the vessel will be several degrees higher than this. Once you're into the 70s most yeast begin producing "undesireable" off flavors. To combat this you can either try to control the temperature of the vessel (search swamp cooler for a cheap and easy way) or you can brew a style where these off flavors are "desireable."

I'd recommend a Belgian or Saison if you can't control the temps...

 

[Prymal]

I have to say I wasn't a fan of any of the kits I got from Midwest, they were all pretty boring. I signed up for then kit of the month club and cancelled after 3 monhts. I much perfered the kits I have gotten from Austin Homebrew and Northern Brewer.

 

[TopherM]

I have to say I wasn't a fan of any of the kits I got from Midwest

Gotta defend Midwest here. Their beer of the month kits are classic seasonal styles, and are not meant to be "interesting," they are meant to be classic examples of basic styles.

Midwest has hundreds of interesting brew kits that are practically the same as anything Austin and Northern offer. That said, you really can't go wrong with any of these three options.

I've done the Flat Tire and Big River Brown from Midwest, and both were good.

 

[Tinga]

I would go with their sierra nevada pale ale kit... forget what it's called but I think it's pretty obvious from the name. simple kit and tastes great.

 

[Gregscsu]

I would go with their sierra nevada pale ale kit... forget what it's called but I think it's pretty obvious from the name. simple kit and tastes great.

Sierra Pale Ale
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/sierra-pale-ale-sierra-nevada.html#Description_tab

 

[thedude00]

I brewed this kit a couple times great summer beer
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/homebrewing-ingredients/recipe-kits/amber-ales/honey-amber-ale.html

This one is also a solid kit nothing crazy but very drinkable
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/home...cipe-kits/amber-ales/hop-head-double-ipa.html