I tried an American Pale kit and it was drinkable. Nothing to really brag about though. I'd really like to clone Sierra Nevadas' IPA. I love that beer. I don't force carbonate, I've just used priming sugar. Also I've only used liquid malt extract. I would like to learn to malt my own grain. I've heard it makes a better beer. What's your thought on this? Thanks for the heads up on the dry mead.