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National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Kit Brewing => Topic started by: LordEoin on September 23, 2013, 11:52:22 PM

Title: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: LordEoin on September 23, 2013, 11:52:22 PM
There are a shedload of great kit reviews on here, so here's a list of different reviews to act as an 'index'.
Personally, if I'm going to do a quick kit I'd gravitate towards Coopers kits as they're reliable and tasty, and I'd generally only venture to a different brand after seeing a review or wanting to review something new.
So I figured there are probably more out there like me who have found a comfort zone, and a review list might help get some information out there.

          Beer Kits
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: Garry on September 24, 2013, 07:58:43 AM
Good idea.

Are hacked kits allowed? I'm thinking of the oatmeal coopers stout one I did, when it's finished of course?
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: Will_D on September 24, 2013, 08:13:14 AM
Great work Eoin!

@Garry: I would say no. Lets keep this simple and not too long. This is meant for new-commers or brewers who fancy doing one of the much more expensive kits.

If we allowed hacks then each kit entry could multiply so that there would be too many reviews!

By all means start a "hacked kit thread"

After all I have been banging on for ages about having some decent structures to our data particularly in the recipe area!

I would consider "kit reviews" as the same as "Great AG recipes" in that its a collection of recipes and not "long threads: much commented on recipe suggestions"

<note. sorry, I hit modify instead of quote. reinstated original post. LordEoin>
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: Garry on September 24, 2013, 09:11:56 AM
@Will, I understand. A hacked kit is more of a recipe than a review.
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: irish_goat on September 24, 2013, 09:18:43 AM
Good idea Eoin.

I think for hacked kits maybe start threads based on how you are hacking them.

e.g.

"How to add hops to a kit"
"How to add coffee to a kit"

The thread can then be about the process involved but wouldn't necessarily need to focus on one particular brand of kit.
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: LordEoin on September 24, 2013, 10:07:30 AM
I don't see a problem with minor alterations to kits though.

for example,
'here is my review and by the way I will add 150G carapils because I like it'
'here is my review, i'll be dryhopping the hell out of this because  it smells like ass'

Otherwise eventually people will get bored of reviewing  standard kits and having a large supply of pretty ordinary beer.
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: Will_D on September 24, 2013, 10:15:34 AM
If we review a kit it should be unhacked especially if its a free commercial one.

Some people will read a review, Read that you made great beer from it. Unfortunately as they don't know there Carapils from their Fuggles they don't addd anything and then are disapointed that their beer is nowt like yours.

Its like reviewing a small family car: "For a small family car the performance is amazing 0 - 60 in 2.9secs Max speed 250 mph!

Oh and by the way I replaced the engine with one from a spare Ferrari I had in the shed

Sorry but that is how I see it.
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: LordEoin on September 24, 2013, 10:56:40 AM
For free kits, fair enough.
Just remember that most kits brewed are not free.

Its more like reviewing a small family car: "For a small family car the performance is amazing but the tyres were brutal so I had to change them all. It now no longer skids dangerously and it's a great car."
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: TheSumOfAllBeers on September 24, 2013, 11:15:23 AM
Quote from: Will_D on September 24, 2013, 08:13:14 AM
@Garry: I would say no. Lets keep this simple and not too long. This is meant for new-commers or brewers who fancy doing one of the much more expensive kits.

If we allowed hacks then each kit entry could multiply so that there would be too many reviews!

Kit hacks can go in follow up comments in the kit review thread?
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: LordEoin on September 24, 2013, 11:44:07 AM
QuoteThis is meant for new-commers or brewers who fancy doing one of the much more expensive kits.
kind of... but also for people who just want to know about a kit before buying it.
It doesn't have to be an expensive kit or a beginner.

For example, Finlandia Kits (http://www.homebrewwest.ie/finlandia-top-quality-40-pint-kits-from-scandanavia-149-c.asp) were pretty forgotten about until a few were reviewed and hacked. many people would have seen them as too cheap to be any good. But now their traditional ale and dark ale are a favorite in my kitchen and regularly sold out.
Oddly enough, there are no reviews of the Cooper Irish Stout kit but if someone wanted to use something like molasses or brown sugar that'd be fine in my opinion.

However, there is a pretty fine line between hacking the crap out of a kit or adding a minor hack to improve a product.
Lets just run with it as it is, minor hacks are acceptable provided it's educational and there's a reason behind it, and if the publishing team want to condense any review into something for the frontpage it can be done separately.
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: LordEoin on September 25, 2013, 01:26:37 PM
Which of those beers you gave me last week were from reviewed kits Garry?
I'll stick a tasting onto them :)
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: LordEoin on September 25, 2013, 01:54:25 PM
Sure, I'll tag them all at lunch time
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: Garry on September 25, 2013, 02:07:57 PM
Quote from: LordEoin on September 25, 2013, 01:26:37 PM
Which of those beers you gave me last week were from reviewed kits Garry?
I'll stick a tasting onto them :)

Just this one:

•Brupaks Brewer's Choice Premium Lager
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,3207.0.html
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews
Post by: LordEoin on September 25, 2013, 11:24:28 PM
Quote from: irish_goat on September 24, 2013, 09:18:43 AM
I think for hacked kits maybe start threads based on how you are hacking them.
e.g.
"How to add hops to a kit"
"How to add coffee to a kit"
There's already a guide like that here (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,2732.0.html)
Debating whether I should just tag it onto the end of the beginners' guide (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,669.0.html) sticky, or if it would be way too much information..
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: oconn on December 31, 2015, 12:12:45 PM
some links still point to nationalhomebrewclub.com instead of the .ie
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: LordEoin on December 31, 2015, 12:47:56 PM
cheers. All fixed :)
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: RobShamrock on October 24, 2016, 03:55:52 PM
Hey Gang, seems there's not been any new reviews in a long time, is it ok to do one and submit a new thread, any specific rules one must follow etc.
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: LordEoin on October 24, 2016, 03:58:54 PM
review away. just try to make it informative.
It's best to review things to the recipe, without modifying/hacking them
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: Leann ull on October 24, 2016, 04:06:26 PM
Pics are great too!
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: LordEoin on October 24, 2016, 04:44:20 PM
yeah, pics allow us to be nosey and see your process/equipment, which makes it doubly informative.
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: Leann ull on October 24, 2016, 06:01:38 PM
some of us just think we dont always say it he'll never post now >:D ;D ;D :P
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: RobShamrock on October 25, 2016, 09:19:06 AM
I will, still have a few kits lined up at home, just completed three, I love to read the reviews, more so re a good result etc and ones to be avoided. Be brewing again 2/3 weeks

I have coming up at home waiting to brew -     Mangrove Jacks Great Redeemer Old Ale  - Mangrove Jacks Lord Finster  - Coopers English Bitter - think I have a Munton Smugglers ale too hiding somewhere too.
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: Pheeel on October 25, 2016, 10:25:11 AM
I got the MJ Redeemer Old Ale on special and just bunged it on Saturday. Would love to see if we both agree :)
Title: Re: Links to Kit Reviews - Thinking of trying something new?
Post by: RobShamrock on October 25, 2016, 03:33:03 PM
I'll throw that on next so, I'm away next two weekends so be w/e of 11/12/13, two weeks ferment, 4 weeks condition, be just about ready to sample for christmas
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