Serials 4 & 10

Review by robert on 3/30/2016

None of the Williams beer kits thus far have disappointed, i'm up to batch 13. Batches 4 & 10 were both fireside: the former was last summer, we just cracked open the first of batch 10. we were supposed to wait until late next week, but this first bottle is so good... how can i wait 6 months like some of the reviews suggest? Rich flavor with complex hints of malt and fruit. It's going to be difficult holding back... the colder the better. As it warms, a bit of an alcohol, mediciney bite starts to come out.

Worst beer I've ever made - Just not good

Review by Aaron on 3/21/2016

I looked so forward to this ale. Based on reviews, it should be one of the best I've done. Got it & looked forward to sipping the final product, while enjoying the cool/cold weather. I was disappointed to say the least. Brew process went well. Brewed late June '15, to give plenty of aging time before fall. No issues & everything went as expected. OG was right on target. Performed primary and secondary fermentation, with FG coming out OK. Left in bottle for 2 months & tried it. Was NOT a good experience. Left another month & tried again. Nope. Left it another month - still bad. Finally, went back to it this weekend, as I've seen some reviews say 6-9 months for the best taste to come out. Negatory. Still bad and I'd argue, getting worse. I know I'm in the minority on this, but I know good beer when I taste it. This isn't good beer. I've done 60+ brews & am familiar with the process. Either this was a bad batch or is a bad beer. Going to pour out and waste about 40 bottles worth. :(

Good winter brew

Review by Jason on 10/4/2014

This made a great winter time brew!

Excellent winter warmer

Review by John on 9/13/2014

I had been eyeing the Fireside ale for years and finally pulled the trigger last winter. I read about FG issues and coming up short on ABV, so I added a pound of mixed corn sugar and rice solids that I had lying around, made a starter from the provided yeast, and oxygenated the wort before pitching. It fermented hard and fast and I ended up at 7.8% ABV! It was a little raw at first, even after 10 days in the primary and 4 weeks in secondary, but after about a month in the keg, it was positively sublime. I recommend kegging and force-carbonating if you can rather than bottle conditioning due to longer secondary fermentation and good yeast flocculation. But the stuff just continued to get better for the two months it lasted in the keg. I also think the addition of the extra pound of fermentables, especially corn/rice so as to not increase the already heavy body, was just the trick to get the alcohol level I wanted to balance the beautifully heavy malt profile. Highly recommended!!

One of my favorites!

Review by John on 1/25/2014

If you like malty ales, you will love this kit. It's very easy to make and has turned out great for me every time I've made it. Be sure to give it the full 5 weeks of bottle conditioning before drinking, per the instructions. I will continue to be a regular customer for this one.