belgian Ipa

Good kit. I love all of the hops flavors mixed with banana from the yeast. Incredible combination!

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October 9, 2013

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GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

_x000D__x000D__x000D_If you are into IPA'S this one for you. Dry hopping is a must "what aroma". The color is just what a IPA should be. The kit is a little pricey, but worth it if you looking for a good IPA._x000D_

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October 9, 2013

Larry AP

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My Favorite Brew So Far

I've brewed 8 or so batches so far, and I've liked all of them---but this was my favorite so far. Terrific semi-sweet Belgian flavor, a lot more distinct than I would have guessed---and a delicious hoppiness right alongside. For my taste, it could use a little more hops; but the lighter IPA-ness made it a great hit for all, even those who don't like IPA. You rock, Midwest!

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October 23, 2013

Peter M

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Nice twist on IPA

Like many other reviewers, I usually gravitate toward IPA, Stouts and Porters, not Belgians. So, a Belgian IPA seemed like a good place to try a Belgian brew. Needles to say, I was very pleased with the outcome. I get lots of clove and citrus but with the ever present hop character as well. Nice creamy head and very smooth taste. Kegged 5 gallons and also used white labs Saison yeast. Will likely do tis one again!

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November 19, 2013

Rudy

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Good modern style beer

A delicious beer kit and good combination of an IPA and a Belgian ale. It's so not crazy-hoppy, and not a true solid Belgian, but overall it's very good., I used the White Labs liquid yeast and make a starter to build up the amount of yeast cells. I let it sit for 4 weeks at 68F then kegged it. No racking to a primary. _x000D_

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November 22, 2013

Sean

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Nice twist

The acidulated malt add a bite that you normally don't get in Belgian beers or IPAs. I prefer IPAs not Belgians, but this kit interested me and it was a good choice. I do like the beer and it's very unusual. I'd suggest trying the kit both because it's good and because it has unusual ingredients and tastes different from the normal beers you may drink.

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January 10, 2014

Dan

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My new favorite beer

I brewed 4 kits this year and have loved every one of them. If I had a keg system, this would be my house beer. Not really an IPA. Really doesn't have a hoppy taste nor aroma and it confuses me b/c it has a lot of hops in it. But the taste is just great. Coming in from a hot summer day, I freak out if I don't have any in the fridge. Dunno what it will taste like now that it's gotten colder as my preferences change with the seasons. Best kit I have ever bought....it was Winter Ale...but this is my new fav. A bit pricey but worth it though

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November 1, 2014

Allen

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Great Belgian IPA

I brewed this in October. I got great reviews by certified beer judges. I compared this to a local breweries Belgian IPA, and I liked mine better.

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December 17, 2015

Brian Beatty

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Easy tasting

Great taste with little effort

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December 18, 2015

RICHARD W.

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Great hoppy beer

Not the clearest beer I have made, but very good and I like it better than SamAd Noble Pils. I used the White Labs yeast and while loaded with hops its not an over powering taste. I got a lot of positive comments on this batch...Cheers!

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April 15, 2010

brewer dillon

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Best kit I've brewed yet

Like the previous reviewer, I had some cloudiness in this kit, not sure why, I suspect it's chill haze. However, the flavor is fantastic. Spicy, yeasty, and well-attenuated, big Belgian flavor. I used the Wyeast Saison Yeast, which worked great at a warm temperature (>75 degrees}, producing no off flavors, and attenuating below 1.010. I did a big starter, though, to get that kind of attenuation. I just can't say enough about how pleased I am with this beer, the Ahtanam hops have a very distinctive flavor.

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July 23, 2010

Erik

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Love this beer!

unlike the other reviewers, mine came out fairly clear, like any other Belgian or IPA. I have to say, I love this beer. Such a unique taste, awesome. I love Belgian beers, and I love IPA's - together they are a match made in heaven. I could use a little more hoppy flavor in it, when I brew it again I'll probably add more hops, or maybe even dry hop it a bit. But as is, it is really tasty. I will definitely brew again.

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October 3, 2010

doug

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Great beer!

Within the last year I have started to drink a lot of Belgian beers, mostly because my friends like this style. i am an IPA/APA guy through and through. I was amazed that I found this kit. This beer was simply amazing, once it was finished. The complexity that comes from the saison yeast is out of this world. I added 1/2 oz of galena hops to kick up the hops. It worked very well together. buyer beware, the saison yeast ferments the best the closer you get to 90 degrees F. Very counter intuitive for us ale brewers. I kegged 2.5 gallons, phenomenal. I bottled 22 oz and 12 oz bottles. The 22 oz beers were great, the 12 oz beers were much "harsher" than the keg and 22 ouncers. A recipe that I will keep forever. Thanks, Midwest!

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November 29, 2010

mac31

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GOOD BEER

I think my batch turned out good but misses the "hop bomb" advertised. I brought it in to Midwest and had it sampled, the employees (5) gave me their opinion. They all liked and a couple were even surprised by the quality of spicy yeast (dry) that comes with it, having not sampled it prior. I did do a partial boil with a 4 gallon kettle and was told that it did not have the carameling flavor that can sometimes occour when doing a partial boil. One tip given to me was to add 1/2 of the malt extract as directed and the remaining 20 minutes prior to finish, doing his will bring out the hops more._x000D__x000D_This was my first batch of beer brewed and am happy with my finished product. Next batch I am going to add extract as discussed and try adding the gelena hops as someone else suggested on their review.

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February 17, 2011

David

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The best of both worlds

I love IPAs and I love Belgians . This is the best of both worlds .I used the white liquid yeast and had great results . This was my first kit from Midwest and will not be my last . Love this beer !

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February 26, 2011

Dan

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Tastes Great Despite My Fumbles

I had gotten so used to brewing simple lagers that I bottled this one after only two weeks in the primary._x000D__x000D_Luckily, I haven't had any bottle explode on me, though it is very, and I mean very, carbonated._x000D__x000D_It has been about two months now since bottling and most of the sugars have fermented though it still has a little sweetness to it. Unfortunately I think this also drowned out a little of the hopiness that was initially expected._x000D__x000D_Other than that, it has a great color, and a wonderfully distinct Belgian flavor._x000D__x000D_I will be ordering this kit again to see how it comes out when the directions are actually followed [:_x000D__x000D_On a side note, I used the Wyeast activator, but got lucky and got a dry yeast pack in the kit too (I'll be using that in an experimental brew.)_x000D__x000D_Cheers!

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October 12, 2011

Gene

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Deliciously smooth

So this was my first kit ordered and I was slightly worried (as all new brewers are!). It turned out wonderful! 1 week in primary, 3 in secondary and 3 in bottles. I tried a bottle at two weeks and it tasted pretty similar. Not quite as hoppy as most Belgian IPA's, but tasty, smooth, and very high in alcohol content. I can handle my beers but 2 of these were getting me a little tipsy. _x000D__x000D_Compared it to New Belgium Brew Co's BIPA and mine won the taste test 100% of the people. This is just so smooth and tasty. Kit came with 2oz of aroma hops and kit called for 1.5oz so that's all I used. Next time I'll just add the whole 2oz.

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January 6, 2012

TBrooks

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A fantastic home brew with tons of taste!

Just started home brewing last December - this was my third batch (made the Irish Red and Java Stout previously - both successful). This is definitely a more cloudy beer, but that doesn't bother me at all. Not as hoppy as the product description led me to originally believe, but that's OK too. Maybe that will improve as it ages a bit more. Definitely higher in alcohol which is great for those of us who like to drink something with a little more taste, a little more alcohol, and a little less volume. I would definitely make this again.

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March 9, 2012

MikeyG

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yummy beer

This is good stuff! I did dry hop it for some extra kick and glad I did,(sat 3 weeks in secondary with a oz of kent goldings). Only problem was that dry hopping reduces the volume - did not bottle a full 5 gallons. The priming sugar however was of course premeasured for the 5 gallon batch. Me not thinking about this soon enough caused some really 'head-y" beer. Not quite a gusher but close. I've found that if I handel the bottles gently until I drink past the sholder of the bottle things are OK from there. Ther beer looks great in a glass, but the head issue kinda makes this a bit difficult. Overall great flavor and very true to the style. I'll correct my volume issue the next time I brew this for sure. Might try a yeast starter next time too. This is a higher gravity beer after all.

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August 31, 2012

John

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Close to being perfect

This is a great brew. I wanted the end product to have a little more bite to it, so next time I plan on dry hopping it. There was a bit of cloudiness, even with irish moss in the boil.

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December 1, 2012

Chris

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Tasted great!

Made this IPA a few weeks ago and it was definitely different than other beers I've brewed. It had us using things like Candi sugar and hops I hadn't heard of before. It was a more advanced brew that had a few extra steps but the challenge was well worth it. The taste came out great and only got better with time. We ended up doing two fermentation stages to remove sediment and tone down the cloudiness of the brew a little bit. Taste and color were gorgeous would recommend again. _x000D_

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December 1, 2012

Michael

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Wonderful Recipe for this Style

I did 1 week primary and 3 weeks secondary. I think a longer secondary really helps the flavors. 3 weeks in the bottles and this was drinking very nice. Tastes a lot like New Belgium Belgo. I used 12 oz and 22 oz bottles, and the 22 oz seem to have more hop bite, whereas the 12 oz have a more balanced flavor profile. I also used the dry yeast with no starter, and it turned out great. The Safbrew is a really good dry yeast - I'm not sure you would get a lot of benefit out of liquid with this recipe. _x000D__x000D_

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January 11, 2013

Jared

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Simply Delicious

First time brewing with White Labs liquid yeast. Used a yeast starter. 1 week primary fermentation, 1 week secondary, wish I left in the secondary for another week. Amazing flavors from this spicy yeast. Very well matched malt profile to hops. Simply Delicious..

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February 5, 2013

Rubarb

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Great beer kit

This is a delicious beer kit and great combo of a belgian beer with a little extra hoppiness. Not an American IPA, so not crazy-hoppy, and not a true solid Belgian, but overall I believe it's a very flavorful crowd pleaser.

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February 7, 2013

Mike

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One of the best I have brewed

Great combination of 2 different styles of beer. kept in the primary for 2 weeks then in secondary for an additional 5 weeks and using the wyeast yeast. Has a good amount of head and a pleasant aroma of hops. not overly bitter like some IPAs and with a final abv of 6.3%. looking forward to brewing this kit again maybe the next time dry hopping it in the secondary to get a little more hop profile.

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March 3, 2013

Anthony

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Delicious

A delicious beer, unique and new. I made it because I like the Sam Addams Grumpy Belgian IPA and this is just as enjoyable. I fermented it warm, oxygenated the wort, and used a 2 liter starter. i gave it a month to ferment before bottling and it was ready.

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April 8, 2013

Drew

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Tremendous kit

This is a winner, we loved it. My friends helped me drink it within a week. With friends like that I have just one alternative - brew again. I've brewed this twice and will soon order it again. i used the Wyeast strain, and it was the right choice.

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May 22, 2013

SJW

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belgian ipa

Great bber! A little pricey, but you do get 5 oz. of hops. Very nice mouthfeel and flavor. Mine finished at 6.3% ABV

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August 2, 2013

monkey

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Makes a great Belgian ale

It came out hazy, maybe from the yeast, but it sure tastes good. I made a 2 liter starter, used yeast nutrient, and used an Oxygen wand to make sure it would come out all right. The spicey flavor from the yeast combined with the ingredients makes for a very good beer. I enjoy a glass a day after dinner.

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August 19, 2013

McDermot

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Smooth and Good

It wasn't as clear as some of my other beers, it none the less was one of the better ones. Good flavor and aroma, just like the advertisement says. I enjoy this style of beer and will have to make it again._x000D_

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September 13, 2013

Chris

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makes a good beer

I enjoyed making this kit because I got to use a couple of new types of hops and I had never used Belgian Candi sugar before. The beer has the Belgian flavors and also element of an IPA, so its unusual. _x000D_I used the liquid yeast, Saison 565, first making a starter. The beer may be cloudy because of the wheat which is known to be hazy.

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March 14, 2013

Brandon

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Well done

a really nice kit that made a nice Belgian ipa. I added another ounce of dry hops tweak but overall a nice kit

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April 4, 2013

Chris

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Hop Bomb

As advertised, this brew is full of hops. Be patient and allow it to sit in the secondary for about two or three weeks to allow the favors to blend right. Recommend using liquid yeast to help with attenuation.

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May 29, 2013

Brew Dog

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Needs more hops

I have recently become a big fan of hoppy IPA's and the like. That is one of the things i love best about homebrewing, I can change and tweak recipes as I like. This recipe looked great on paper, but i was a little disappointed in the outcome. I would have liked more of a hop aroma and flavor considering that it is an IPA. I has the right bitterness and tanginess of a Belgian Ale, but i think i needed more to separate it from the pack. I probably wont brew this one again. Big Ben PA is still my favorite, IPA that I have made from Midwest.

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June 10, 2013

Dan13r

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Belgian IPA with great color, body and taste

I had an idea in my head that there was going to be a decent hop kick in this beer. For it's style the beer turned out great, great color, body and taste but for all the hops I put in there's no solid hop flavor or aroma, not what I was expecting, with all the hops. Probably should have dry hopped it .

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June 30, 2013

Kipp

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Inspired by the Sam Adams Belgian IPA, has great flavor and aroma.

After drinking the Sam Adams Belgian IPA I wanted to brew something like it. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that Midwest carried such a kit. Its a good kit and makes a tasty beer. Great flavor and aroma. It was popular at my home brew club too.

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June 30, 2013

Sean

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Watch the priming sugar!

Great beer, good fruity complex flavors, hoppy, candy like aromas, nice hop twang. However, the sugar added to 2ndary fermentation took this one over the top (bottled beer). The first month of aging the beer was incredible, great in every way. After a month they started getting fizzy, and continue to do so. You have to save the beer in a large vessel, like a 3 quart pot, and let the beer settle. But after that, the carbonation is gone. Otherwise it all goes down the drain or you have to open it outside. It takes a long time to calm down. Had a bottle explode on me, too. Only one, but it still blew up and made a mess. I'd use half or even 1/4 of the priming sugar for bottles._x000D__x000D_Editor's note: If the beer is properly attenuated, there should be no issue with the priming sugar. Please give us a call for trouble shooting, we're here to help!_x000D__x000D_

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April 16, 2012

BigMojo

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East meets West

This is the best kit I've brewed this year._x000D_The concept of a hoppy Belgian beer is pretty wild. It tastes great and was different form what I expected. this beer has a variety of great flavors and both smells and tastes great.