All Ale Kit of the Month Club

It would be nice if Midwest sent an email to remind me that they are about to charge my account and what beer I will be getting, just to refresh my memory. Maybe on the 20th of the month or so.

I like that it's something that comes in automatically. It keeps me brewing. I've also used one of these kits as a base for a batch that I added some extra 2-row and home toasted malts to.
The one downside, I can't order anything else and have it arrive in the same box. I think it would save on packaging materials, and shipping costs if this is something they could do.

Overall I think this is great, a new beer that I probably wouldn't have gotten if I ordered on my own. Great idea. The bad news is that I spend about the same amount to ship it to myself. I am in the Navy and all I have is an FPO address and I get beat up on Postage. At least I still get the product. Overall 50% satisfied.

I have been on the KotM club for a few months now and I couldn't be happier with it. For less than $40 a month you are assured a steady monthly flow of brewing ingredients. With a few primaries and secondaries, one can get a nice, varied rotation month-to-month, and one is also tempted to experiment and expand with the kits provided (for instance, next month's Porter entry is going to be getting a coconut treatment once I'm through with it)

One thing I can't find noted on the website is the fact that substitutions are allowed twice a month, in case something else in the Midwest catalog catches your eye and you don't particularly want what you have coming (though I will admit I've already brewed two kits I may have stayed away from were it not for the club). Further, I had a shipping snafu with my last kit and the Midwest customer service team went above and beyond to expedite a new kit to me so I could brew on schedule, so you have them watching your back and helping you out with any concerns you may have, which is a good thing.

The few negative reviews seem to deal with charges hitting credit cards without warning...all I can say to that is, when you sign up, you're told you will be debited on the 21st of the month, which has happened without fail every month so far...so alls I can say is balance your checkbooks and brew some beer!

This is a great way to get a lot of beer that fits the season. It'll allow you to easily try new kinds of beer and have a wide variety on tap/in bottles.

The only thing I would caution against is that it is a lot of beer. Me and a buddy split it up (we do every other month) and that works out quite well. However, for those who have more time/more equipment, it wouldn't be a problem at all.

I love the brew of the month kit, it gets delivered automatically and it's always an in season beer.

Could be slightly cheaper...

I loved the motivation it provided, and the variety of kits I wouldn't have thought to purchase otherwise. The best part though, was when life got too busy (new babies have a way of doing it), one call to Midwest and they were happy to cancel the rest of the year. Highly recommended!

Brewing is a great hobby to get into with a friend or spouse, if she's into it. This option keeps your brew in season and makes it so there is always fresh beer in the fridge. Most of these kits priced out separately are more expensive by themselves.

I noticed that one of the reviews says you can substitute? I have requested this, and was denied. I guess substituting your kit would kind of defeat the purpose of a club.

All said, being a subscriber of the kit of the month club doesn't particularly save you much money over just ordering the kits themselves, but I have found that it does encourage me to expand beyond the standard beers I would make otherwise and try new styles. I tend to brew on average two beers a month or so. By brewing the kit of the month club I add a new style of beer to my fridge on top of some recipes I make myself. Also, the club has me always looking forward to the next month, keeping me excited and motivated to continue brewing new beers.

I love the kit of the month because it allows me to try new beer styles. The kits arrive on time and with exactly what it says. It helps me broaden my beer tastes.