My First Brew in almost 30 years - Festa Brew West Coast IPA

[Earl]

Well, sometime over this fine weekend, I hope to put on first brew in over 28 years!! Yes, pretty sad I know. I have not made home brew since I have legally been allowed to drink it. Sad, but true.

When I made reference to my plan to buy a Festa Brew to get started, someone in another forum recommended that I not follow the instructions and seek advice here first. Like I said, I haven't made a brew since I was about 17 and my focus at that time was not on brewing quality, so I am open to all the feedback and advice you guys want to offer.

After seeing and tasting what you guys can do with recipes from scratch, I want to move into all grains. However, Adam Comeau wisely recommended to me that I nail down my process with a smaller number of variables, before I venture into that. I also want to get set-up with kegs rather than bottles. I already have a Fridge from Kijiji that some guy modified to attached a draft tape (he kept the tap though), so I on my way!.

Thanks
Earl

[sleepyjamie]

Welcome back!



Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2

[mr x]

+1.

[jtmwhyte]

Here's to a successful (and lengthy) return. FYI that is a good kit. I have one kegged now. A bit more malty than I usually like but it's great for nailing down sanitation, ferm temps, etc...

[spears104]

Welcome back to the hobby. Festa Brews are a great way to get started to get a good feel for fermentation without all of the other variables.

[canuck]

Congrats on getting back into the hobby after a long break.

[BBrianBoogie]

Good luck Earl, be sure to report the results

[LeafMan66_67]

I brewed a lot of festa brews and just followed the NG instructions. Never had any issues. Just be sure to keep everything clean.

Good luck and welcome back!

[Jimmy]

Anyone know if this kit is still in stock? I'm running dangerously low on beer right now and need to get something in a keg.

[mr x]

I have a keg of APA here that's fresh and you can replace in the future if you like.

[Jimmy]

I have a keg of APA here that's fresh and you can replace in the future if you like.

lol, thanks for the offer - but I'd hate to replace with a less than stellar beer.

I don't mind picking up a decent session beer kit to get me past this non-brewing hump.

[mr x]

Who cares, replace it with whatever. Not going to bother me. There's a 50/50 chance it could be better.

[LeafMan66_67]

Anyone know if this kit is still in stock? I'm running dangerously low on beer right now and need to get something in a keg.

Pretty sure I saw in their newsletter that they had gotten more in over the past few weeks. Good chance they still have some around.

[Jimmy]

Thanks Derek. I'll probably give them a shout tomorrow to see if they have any.

[chalmers]

Jimmy would probably have no trouble taking my beer.
Now that I think about it, I take LD's beer all the time, and he never wants to be re-paid in kind. Double-

[Tony L]

Welcome back.
Those kits are probably the best you can buy for an all wort kit, and while I don't follow the NG instructions a lot of people do
and make good beer with it.
It's all about getting a process of sanitation down along with conducting a proper fermentation. Do that and you will be a long way ahead
on starting to brew from scratch.

Cheers

[gm-]

Welcome back!

The NG instructions are actually ok, but the original festa brew instructions are not that great. My only additional recommendation is to leave it in the primary for bit longer then they recommend, leave it for a week there before you rack to a secondary.

The West Coast IPA is a very good beer, made one in November and finished the last bottle in January

[adams81]

I'm drink this kit right now! Terrific beer. I've been doing festa brew kits for about a year. I wouldn't change anything to it, except maybe to dry hop it with some cascade to add more aroma. Welcome back!

[elreplica]

I am in the process of working my way through my first Festa West Coast IPA that I "exported" from Ontario along with a trailerload of Brewhouse and other Festa worts. I only wish that I loaded up my trailer with more as I got them from a friend who owns a U Vint/Brew. All I can say is fantastic! I bottled a batch in Grolsch bottles as I am in between on kegging while sourcing a reliable reasonable gas supplier (found one). The wort spent a week in primary and a week conditioning at room temperature. I decided to try it before moving it to cool storage but it doesn't look like many are going to make it to the basement Good thing I stashed one away from the Bayers Rd. Noble Grape My Brewhouse Oktoberfest is racking in secondary awaiting bottles, first one was fantastic in my keg, Brewhouse American Lager in bottles tastes "green apple" - second Brewhouse disappointment after souring a Red Ale - Festa Raspberry wheat on deck, and Festa Altbier in the hole... Also gotta say I am glad a local and new U Vint is now supplying Festa in Bridgewater - check out the Wine Kings on King Street. Here is their Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/WineKingsInc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[elreplica]

But alas, they do not offer a Brewnosers discount

[McGruff]

I bought 2 Brewhouse kits last summer and hated them both. I used to buy them about 10 years ago and they were great. The Pale Ale tasted like shit. Festa Brew on the other hand has never let me down.

[elreplica]

Yeah , I was starting a hate on for Brewhouse after two fails, but then I fermented their Oktoberfest... Simply awesome! While I agree my experience with Festa has been bulletproof like yours, I'm not totally giving up on Brewhouse as I have a Prairie Wheat kegged and a Munich Dark awaiting transformation from box to bottle. I'm liking the variety and soon going to try blending both worts and make my own swamp beers...