Customer Reviews

Not just for the holidays... Review by Joshua

Rating

Talk about a full bodied American red. Brewed this following the recipe in December, then again in March but used 1272 and added a pound of honey at the last 15 minutes of the boil. Added a great mouth feel and the 1272 produced a much clearer, slightly fruiter beer. (Posted on 5/3/13)

One of the best brews I have ever made! Review by phil

Rating

I really made this for the holidays, but it got my attention big time. I can taste a variety of flavors in every sip. And that's what this beer is all about - not a guzzle type of beer, but a slow sipping beer with incredible flavors and aroma. I only have 10 bottles left and even though it is almost April, I feel the need to make some more. Don't want to be without it!! (Posted on 3/26/13)

Great Blend of Flavors Review by Volrath99

Rating

Best to let this sit for about a month after bottling to let the flavors all meld together. Orange citrus aroma. Malty, caramel, and chocolate flavors with a hint of coffee. More of a darker, full bodied, flavorful amber. Great next to a warm fire on a cold day or a after a late dinner.

(Used blow off first few days of fermentation and only got some krausen in tube so I would recommend using one or checking back to clean out the air lock) (Posted on 3/11/13)

Great Review by joey

Rating

Great Holiday Brew! (Posted on 2/13/13)

brewed this for holiday party Review by Melody

Rating

I brewed this and another NB kit for our annual holiday party and it was well recieved by all. Good malty flavor. (Posted on 2/13/13)

Very Different indeed Review by Johnny

Rating

So i didnt know what to expect with this. I thought it would be a standard red ale. Boy was I wrong. The flavors of Oak and nutmeg were really too much for me to appreciate however everyone who tried this beer raved about how much they enjoyed it....so it goes to show you one mans bum beer is another mans favorite. I ended up giving away this batch of beer as xmas presents. I gave it 5 stars as everyone else really liked this!!! Happy Brewing!!!! (Posted on 2/5/13)

You should always use a blow-off tube... Review by George

Rating

I've learned that from experience. Those of you that had fermentation surprises, that's a result of your brewing conditions, not the kit. Anyway, I had good luck with this recipe. Turned out stronger than the average amber and with a more pronounced hop profile. This is my type of amber! (Posted on 12/23/12)

Not a bad brew Review by Thomas

Rating

I dont know if I could disagree much with John's 'Solid, Subtle and Satisfying' review below. I have had this brew in the keg for about a week and now and his tasting notes are incredibly accurate. Age does seem to have a position impact on this brew. I had it in the primary for about a week, in the secondary for about 3 to 4 weeks and now in the keg. Hind sight being what it is, I would probably brew up the all grain version of this kit and add the orange peel in the secondary for a stronger orange flavor/aroma. (Posted on 12/23/12)

can't get enough Review by Kyle

Rating

All my friends just love this beer, be ready for the blow off, Great, great beer!!! (Posted on 12/21/12)

Another vote for using a blow-off tube Review by Mike

Rating

Just brewed and put it in the primary yesterday. This morning there was foam in the airlock, so I sanitized and installed a fresh one. Came back at lunchtime to find the bucket lid was blown off. Wort was up the wall and on the carpet and there sat an open fermenter with a nice head of foam. I scrambled to fix the problem and ended up using my siphon tube as a blow-off tube emptying into a gallon bucket of water. I hope the batch is still good. Will Update when I get to taste a sample. (Posted on 12/11/12)

Thanks for the heads-up Review by William

Rating

After reading the reviews here, I was prepared and used the blow off hose. 17 hours in and she blew her top! (Posted on 12/10/12)

Solid, Subtle and Satisfying Review by John

Rating

I understand the excitement and anticipation of watching one's beer ferment, but ultimately I brew to drink beer and don't see much use for reviewing one's fermentation.
With that said, I used Wyeast 1056 because I had one last mason jar of the washed stuff left. I too got a vigorous ferment, but I aerate and get blow-offs from lower OG beers. I didn't let my orange peel float free, but used a hop sock instead. I kegged it and have had it on tap for the last two weeks or so. I waited to see if there was much flavor change and while it's definitely been stable, I don't think 4 weeks to tap is accurate. Patience is always rewarded and my first tasting was about five weeks in and I gave it another week. It hasn't changed a bit since then.
Initially I was expecting more orange flavor. It's noticeable with some imagination, not prominent at all. The beer settled very clear and it has a full nose that I can only describe as good beer smell. The taste is thoroughly satisfying: full bodied, clean finish, not sweet and if the orange is anywhere it's blended with the dry hop bitterness which is not overpowering but quite a nice period to the end of a delicious sentence of beer. This is a beer you can set down and forget about over a game or a conversation and enjoy as it warms. I've had a long day today and it was a great way to put this one behind me. I can't say this is the best beer I've brewed only because, like good friends, it's hard to pick a best when when it's such a blessing to have so many.
This is not some pantry-esque christmas spice brew. It's solid, subtle and satisfying. Another good sign: we had a small party and friends allowed to freely graze and choose their beverages, overwhelmingly chose the Brickwarmer and chose it repeatedly.
One other note: nice name. It's easier to think of warm bricks than slobbering caribou as I raise my glass and admire the color and flavor. (Posted on 12/7/12)

added to my previous review. Review by Matt

Rating

I too had a blow off but I was prepared and caught it right away so its all good! (Posted on 12/5/12)

Very excited to try! Review by Chris

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I also had a blow out - two in fact! I don't know if there's an issue with the recipe, but ill be sure to have a better blow-off system in place when i brew this next year. I let the orange peel go into the fermenter. They floated at the top the whole time. I did a three week primary with no secondary. I had to restart my siphon into the bottling bucket three or four times. At least once was because of orange bits clogging the line. The other times I can't explain. Probably bits of orange getting stuck in the fermenter side of the siphon but then falling away when I broke the vacuum. Even though most of the bits floated, there were probably a few sinkers. The taste of the beer in the hydrometer was great and made me think it was worth the trouble! If this beer turns out as good as I think it's going to, it'll be my go to Christmas recipe! (Posted on 12/3/12)

High Gravity Review by Bear

Rating

I brewed this yesterday and thanfully read a review that prepaired me to use the blow-off tube. The OG was at an astounding 1.068 instead of the predicted 1.062 so I suggest making a yeast starter for this brew, esp because this is a 4 week kit. The citris adds an amazing aroma! I will update when I crack my first one open.
(Posted on 12/2/12)

Love it Review by Matt

Rating

1.5 weeks primary, 3 weeks secondary and 1.5 weeks in the bottle. Made it for Christmas but I could not help myself. This beer is fantastic! It has a great caramel taste to it that keeps you coming back for more! I will make this every Christmas from now on! (Posted on 11/30/12)

Carbonation? Review by David

Rating

I must have had bad yeast. Mine didn't ferment as aggressively as the previous two reviewers, and after 3 weeks in the bottle I have minimal carbonation. Live and learn, I guess..... (Posted on 11/19/12)

Blow out! Review by Michael

Rating

Please use a blow off hose on this one! Had this one fermenting for 3 weeks and bottled it a few days ago. It really smells awesome so I can't wait to try it. Should be ready just in time for Xmas. I've never done orange peels so I was a little confused about letting them get into the fermenter or filtering them out. So I did about half in the fermenter. I sampled a bit at bottling but can't say much about it, however it was pleasing and should only get better with age and carbonation. Will post update upon drinking. (Posted on 11/18/12)

Anticipation is great! Review by Ken

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Brewed this last Monday and it blew out all of the water in the air lock! When it was with its partner (White House honey Porter) there was quite a conversation going on between those two! (Posted on 10/22/12)