We are sorry to say that due to very low sales in this category,
we will be no longer be stocking beer kits - special order only.
Beer - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the customer's role at a Ferment on Premise?
- To pay for the kit and any service charges
- To sign a declaration stating that the product will be used for personal use only, no reselling
- To mix ingredients and add yeast to the batch
- To patiently wait for the fermenting process to happen
- Make an appointment to come in and bottle your batch
We would love to help the customer every step of the way, but there are a few things we cannot do...
- We cannot allow anyone under the legal age in BC (19 years old) to make kits.
- We cannot start the beer for you.
- We cannot supply samples for you to try before you buy your kit.
- We cannot package, bottle or label your beer.
- We cannot store your beer after it has been bottled.
Do you make the beer from scratch?
No, we have Festa Brew beer kits to make your beer. These kits contain pre-made wort that has already been expertly crafted to produce a premium beer. We do not have the equipment or the special license to make wort.
What is wort?
Wort is the liquid extracted from the mashing process during the brewing/boiling of beer ingredients. Wort contains the sugars that will be fermented by adding yeast to produce alcohol.
How many bottles will I get from a kit?
Each kit makes 23L. This will give you about 46 - 500ml, or 64 - 355ml bottles. A little volume can be lost in the racking and filtering process, but we do our best to limit the amount.
How much does it cost? Can I save money by making my own beer?
Yes, we can help you save money by making your own craft beer but costs are not too different if you compare the price to mass produced commercial beers (see explanation of differences below). Or, you can save yourself more money by making your own beer at home. The largest costs are purchasing the equipment to produce the beer, and the bottles, but this is usually a one-time only cost. There is a large selection of beer kits on the market and prices can widely vary.
Can I bring in my own bottles?
Yes! The plastic PET bottles we sell are completely reusable and you should definitely save them. Glass? Pop-top bottles are definitely reusable. We recommend saving bottles, or visiting the local bottle recycling depot for used bottles. If the little rubber rings are looking bad, we do have replacements available for sale. Only some styles of commercial screw cap bottles can be reused. Please ask us if you want to know more about bottles.
How long does it take to make beer?
If you have made an appointment with us, the first visit is usually pretty quick. You are required to purchase the kit and pay the applicable fees before starting your beer. You also have to add the yeast into the wort. The whole process usually will take no longer than 15-20 minutes. We then will take care of the production of your beer for the next 3 weeks. Beer is time sensitive and needs to be bottled within a month of starting the process.
My dad used to make "homebrew" and it was terrible! Has it gotten any better?!
Beer kits have greatly improved in the past 10-20 years! We sell the top two beer kits sold in Canada - Festa Brew and Brewhouse. The key is using fresh-pasteurized wort that has been brewed and prepared from fresh malted grains, hops and water in a modern brewhouse, operated by brewing professionals, and maintained to industry standards. This wort needs little to no water added and has little room for mixing error. There is no need to mix concentrated hopped malt "syrup" with water to initiate fermentation. No boiling and cooling steps are needed as it's already been done before it is shipped from the manufacturer. And, by making your beer with us, we can also filter and force carbonate your beer!
I only like drinking Bud Lite. Can I make something exactly like that?
You will probably be disappointed. It sounds like you know what you like and duplicating that exact recipe would take a lot of time, effort and money. Commercial beer manufacturers keep their brewing practices very secretive and you will never be able to totally duplicate the taste without using the exact same yeast, water, equipment, and ingredients. However, if you enjoy a variety of different types of beer, you will have a better chance of finding kits you'll love.
What is the difference between commercial craft beer and mass produced beer? Why should I make my own?
Craft beer is small batch beer that is brewed for certain characteristics and flavors. It is produced by small microbreweries or independent beer makers. It is meant to be shared, savored and paired with certain foods for more enjoyment. Craft beer has a specific niche in the market. Depending on the beer, some of these, when bought in a store, can cost up to $10 per 500-750ml bottle!
Massed produced commercial beers have very specific recipes and yeasts to produce that exact flavor of beer, every time. Recipes and methods are highly secretive and yeast strains can be very specific. These beers are produced on a grand scale in huge breweries. Owned and operated to turn a profit and appeal to the masses, the manufacturers want to keep prices low.
Make your own beer if:
Massed produced commercial beers have very specific recipes and yeasts to produce that exact flavor of beer, every time. Recipes and methods are highly secretive and yeast strains can be very specific. These beers are produced on a grand scale in huge breweries. Owned and operated to turn a profit and appeal to the masses, the manufacturers want to keep prices low.
Make your own beer if:
- You want to make something unique
- You want to astonish your friends and family with your own craft beer
- You are not afraid of trying something new
- You like different flavors and tastes
- You like to design your own labels
- You want to save money on craft beer
- You don't mind washing and reusing your bottles
- You are trying to find a new hobby