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Hey, I've been making Festa for a year and only switched to Best Case this fall. For nearly all of the batches I've made, which were Cream Ale, Blonde, Pale Ale, Continental Pilsner, Red and Cerveza, they all had a similar off flavor to it. I could never really describe it, I always thought it was a yeasty taste, although I had no previous experience in what yeast tasted like. A friend said it was almost metallic, and that is the closest description I can think of, but it was consistent with every brew, although for the Pale Ale and Continental Pilsner it was not as strong, but I think the hops just masked it. I've very satisfied with the best case anyhow. Any thoughts?

Friend of mine does Festa kits and all of his have the fruity ester taste. We put one in my fermentation chamber and the ester taste wasn't there so it was likely a high fermentation temperature. He was doing them in his basement, which is fairly warm.

I have found the same thing. Although west coast ipa was very good. Its a flavor that I don't care for. Also would have brewed up one of those best case this weekend but I don't believe its for sale on PEI

Broob wrote:Friend of mine does Festa kits and all of his have the fruity ester taste. We put one in my fermentation chamber and the ester taste wasn't there so it was likely a high fermentation temperature. He was doing them in his basement, which is fairly warm.

My first ever batch was Cream Ale which I did in my parents basement at 17 C consistently, but I think I didn't let it sit long enough. Still had that flavor though. I may experiment with it again in the future.

Don't rush it... I think the instructions on the kits don't call for enough time

try three weeks in primary, and then crash cool (if possible), and package (bottle or keg)

My cousin who started with Festa kits mentioned that the yeast packets come with the box, which means they are not refrigerated. This is less than ideal condition for the yeast and could result in loss of viability and worsen any loses if pitched directly into wort. If I ever buy one of those kits I'll throw its yeast packet in the garbage and buy a dry yeast package that has been properly stored in the fridge.

CartoonCod wrote:My cousin who started with Festa kits mentioned that the yeast packets come with the box, which means they are not refrigerated. This is less than ideal condition for the yeast and could result in loss of viability and worsen any loses if pitched directly into wort. If I ever buy one of those kits I'll throw its yeast packet in the garbage and buy a dry yeast package that has been properly stored in the fridge.

Yeah, I still don't understand why they don't ship the kits with the yeast packet outside of the box and keep them refrigerated. They make the effort of shipping them with a decent yeast, at least store it properly..unless the makers of Festabrew expect the homebrew shop to keep the whole kit refrigerated?

that's a great point actually... try googling "festa beer kit hacks" or "brewhouse beer kit hacks" and you see that some of the easiest hacks is to swap out the yeast that comes with the kits for a better yeast

there's a brewhouse kit hack for an ESB that worked out really well for me

Oh I didn't know it's better to chill the yeast, how come?

Mobius wrote:Oh I didn't know it's better to chill the yeast, how come?

It's not better to chill the yeast, it's better if the yeast is stored cool. It's a living organism. In liquid strains you should treat it like milk. Even in its dried state it is slowly "spoiling" for lack of a better term at room temps or warmer.