Beer Forum

I purchased a Brewers Best Hop Nog 2011 kit today, mostly out of curiosity of the experimental hops that are included. Everything you need in one convenient box to brew up what sounds to be a nice IPA. BUT my question is; Hops and Yeast (dry) are sitting on the shelf as with all brew kits, but yet, my understanding is that Hops should be kept in the freezer, and yeast in the fridge. Does really make a difference on storage temps of hops and dry yeast, or is it an old wives tale? The companies that make these kits would not be able to survive if the supplied crap..right?

Listen to the hop school show that was on a couple weeks ago. The kits are more for the people that want to get into it. Gateway, if you will. Time and temp are huge factors in the quality of both hops and the viability of the yeast.
You can make good beer from kits, but if it is dusty, pass.
Find the inventory sheet and order your ingredients fresh.
Dig?

I'm here in NH with you and I pretty much get all my hops as fresh as possible from Hopsdirect.com and store them frozen. Not sure exactly where in "central" NH you are but Todd at Fermentation Station in Merideth, or Jesse at Kettle to Keg in Suncook, should be able to help you out with small amounts of fresh ingredients. The reason that I order from out west is the amount that I go thru, I can not buy hops by the ounce or grain by the pound. Good luck and if you have any other issues feel free to PM me and I can give you some more local info.

Chris, NHBrewer
Concord Area Homebrewers

I haven't brewed a kit beer in years. I brew from mostly from Jamils book (2nd place in Littleton 2 years ago..toot..) and buy my ingredients from either from Todd or from Ryan at the Smoke n' Barley in Tilton. I was just curious because most LHBS have walls of kits that they sell off the shelf and wondered about the shelf life of the ingrediants after my purchase. If companies like Brewers Best and Muntons put out shit then they would go out of business...unless young brewers used them as a stepping stone like so many!
Chris..I'm in Laconia. We should get together for a few
Hey snow capt..I hear ya, I have that episode downloaded and awaiting for my lazy ass to put it on my Stiletto. I'll give it a listen!

Well i'm pretty much next door in Center Barnstead, and I brew about ten gallons every week so if you want to drop by for a beer anytime let me know. I am always overrun with more beer than I know what to do with. Good luck out there and brewstrong NH.

Chris