I bought a double batch in July 2019 and did not brew until May 2020. I pitched with S04 dry yeast and a yeast starter. The ferment was explosive and I lost almost 2 gal from 11 gal batch through the blow off tubes.the water heater pan that I ferment in had an inch of beautiful, and lost, beer. It honestly stopped fermenting the second day. There must have been a lot of sugars in the grains. I probably let it set in the primary for 6-7 weeks. I dry hopped and let it set a couple more weeks and then kegged, forcing to 20psi through the dip tube for 2 days.On day 1 of tapping this is already a good beer! I will fill bombers and cellar this one to enjoy with a cigar later this fall and winter. BTW, this bad boy finished out at 9.6 abv which was totally unexpected! I will surely brew this again! (disclosure: I've been brewing all grain for ten years)

I enjoy a beer I can stand a spoon up in. This qualifies as such. Thank you

I would give this beer a five if I had done a better job reading the descriptions and being patient with the aging. Re-reading the reviews highlighted exactly what my wife and I found, the longer we let it age the better it got. It’s been in the keg for six weeks now and the flavor profile is excellent. I need to be more efficient to get the alcohol volume up where I want it but the color, aroma and flavor are outstanding. Will be doing this one again.

Just poured a glass from my 2.5 keg. I kept everything in primary oak chips and all. Og 1.78 fg 1.19. Very complex, smooth and it's a beer that could send you to the couch. It's really good and nothing like I have ever had before. It deserves a nice cigar. Enjoy

I have been brewing for 4 years now. This is may be the best beer I've ever made! My mash, primary,dry hop, & oaking were to instructions. But, I aged it for 4 weeks after that, before I keged it. I cold crashed it for a week. Carbed at 30 psi for 2 days & let it equalize to my kegerator for 24 hours. And, WOW!!! It has a wonderful nose you can pick up on as you pour it. The oak is very much there. I left mine in for 10 days. It's not overpowering but very much there on the back of the tongue and in the after taste. Upfront, it reminds me of salted caramel covered in hops! All in all it's a very enjoyable complex beer. Not a mower beer but a seat on the front porch have a good cigar and enjoy kind of beer!

Exquisite beer - beautiful aroma with well balance flavor profile. The rye and oak chips are spot on to compliment the bitter hop profile. the ESB is a great yeast choice too. Like most of my experience with ryes, this beer needs some aging. I was concerned when I first tasted it as there were a lot of sharp angry tones, but given some time I now love this beer. It's full of flavor and one I'd brew again.

Fourth all-grain attempt. It's not bad, but definitely not worth four stars. Tossing wood chips into secondary is not the same as fermenting in an oak barrel. Kind of like adding smoked salt to a an unsmoked meat or fish. Just not the same as smoked.

A good kit at a good price.

This was my 3rd all grain beer and the best I've made. Don't have the dry hopping down yet but still came out excellent. Will make this again and again

i had high hopes for this beer, but think I went wrong when adding the oak chips in secondary. Should they have been boiled before adding for sanitation? I ended up with an infection and made an accidental sour beer. not bad if you are into that sort of thing. Drinkable, but I'm not writing home about it, and my friends know I have better stashed away!

Awesome Beer! You will not be disappointed. There is so much going on in this beer and it all works seamlessly. Good hop nose and bitterness (not too bitter). Great malt balance with the hops. Excellent body and head retention. Very creamy. The oak chips make all the difference. I will be ordering this one again and again.

I have had so many compliments on this beer it has become my go to house tap brew. Full body, ruby red color and a hint of chocolate makes this one a guest favorite. Get this kit now , you will be so happy you did.

This one will not disappoint. It's big and full of flavor. Use caution. I came up with a pretty high ABV, yet it was very easy to drink. Beautiful color and head.

My gravity was a bit low due to poor mash efficiency, but the beer was still quite good! I used the oak chips in secondary. At first I wished I hadn't, but after some age I was glad I did! Would definitely recommend!

the description says it all. this brew is a unique expierence that i will keep in my pocket, such a great taste. If you brew please be aware that aging is a must with this brew. Let the Oak chips balance with the Hops. If not you might find the oak a little to long on the tongue with out that good hop finish. im giving 4/5 only cause to get a 5 you have to show something out of this world. This beer is a must brew for any "west coast" Brewer. Cheers!

This was my first all grain kit. I had a lot of fun brewing it. The dry hops and oak chips make this beer very balanced. I used the Wyeast recommended and it did not disappoint. The alcohol level creeps up pretty high on this one but is difficult to tell by taste.