Flat Tire

This beer has potential but I must have made a mistake in the process. I used the recomended liquid yeast, however the result was not what was expected. Significant ethers were present after fermentation that never abated after bottling. An overpowering odor and taste of cloves made it undrinkable for me but others found it palatable.

Aging one month in the secondary produced a clean tasting, clear Belgian ale. The Northern produced a bitter that I wasn't quite ready for, but, I do like it!

I brewed this and turned out great! Shared it at a Potluck and everyone loved it.

This ended up WAY more estery than the original, and it totally lacks the signature biscuity taste. It's been in the bottle for about 6 weeks now, and it's just getting to the point of drinkability. I'll lay this one aside for a few more months. I expect it to end up tasting really good, after all I do like Belgians in general, but I doubt it'll lose the prominent estery, floraly clove notes that dominate it currently. I used the White Labs 550 yeast. I wonder what it would be like with the 515 they released and maybe some biscuit malt.

This was my first beer to brew and it came out fantastic! Complex flavors make this very enjoyable to drink. Does need to bottle condition for at least a month for it to taste it's best.

This was my first brew. Hit peak about 5-7 weeks after bottling and got raves from skeptical friends. Couple keep asking for more and I'm saving my last few bottles just for me. I'm learning that bottle conditioning really goes best if I wait 4-8 weeks in bottle. I'll have to make this one again sometime. Nice job MW.

this seems to be a bit of a departure from Belgian for me. i love Belgian beer and i was in Belgium for a week in May 2009. all Belgian i have tasted to this point has had a much creamery and smoother texture than this beer does. Several reviews call out etiher; it could be that, or the hops, but this just seems to have a huge yeast flavor and taste on the tongue.

It's not bad, it's just not for me. the other Belgian kit i bought is smelling exactly as i expected so far and much more to my liking.

Note to MWBS, the review stars are all focused on cost and value, but most people want to know the taste rating. i know that's hard to do since taste is subjective but maybe add a few more start ratings focused on flavor or style consistence.

I'd agree with many of these comments except to add the following:
1) The clove esters diminish over time. Condition it for a few months at least and it will become amazingly great.
2) It's not a very faithful copy of Fat Tire if that's what you're looking for. BUT if you use a good Belgian yeast it will yield something that's FAR superior to Fat Tire in every way.

After 1 week in primary, 2 weeks in secondary. I used the dry yeast supplied in the basic kit. Start date was in January and after many weekly samples and the final 4/20/10. It has similarities to Fat Tire, but it isn't exact. It has a funky aftertaste that the original doesn't have, but honestly it's just not that interesting of a beer (the original, or the clone).

This turned out great. It was in the primary fermenter for one week then I moved it to the secondary for 3 weeks! Just sampled the batch after being bottled for 2 weeks and tastes great to me!