The Beer kit comes with bottle caps.

What's an auto siphon?

Never mind, I found it. Good idea.

It's far more enjoyable to obtain the bottles by drinking beer, but they don't look as pretty.

Now I'm thinking of how many bottles of beer I drank over the years. If I had just kept them I might have enough to start my own brewery. :D

OMG, do NOT buy a Mr Beer kit.

Start here:

Crap... they won't let me post a link... Google "how to brew.com". That is John Palmer's home brewing site.

Read that condensed version of Palmer's book, which is the ABSOLUTE BIBLE for home brewing. Then, buy the hard copy of it. You will thank me later, for both saving you a bunch of money and being able to make great beer at home.

I have had my own original recipe win an award (Brewer's Award, best in show) and it was brewed in a commercial brewery. This was from brewing with grains, not kits, but Palmer's book is the ONE and ONLY place to start.

You read his book, which you will not outgrow, you will make very good beer that will impress others, you will avoid common mistakes, and save money in the long run.

Don't read this, buy a Mr Beer, and I guarantee your beer will suck. Do what I suggest, I guarantee you will brew a decent beer on the first try. The more you do it, the more you learn, the better the beer.

Do you know the difference between a lager and an ale? Do you know that lagers require several different levels of refridgeration temperatures while it ferments, while ales are happy at just one temperature?

It's all in Palmer's book, and it's a fast easy read. Start with his web site. Then buy the book. Thank me later.

I used to home brew...gotten away from it for the past year or so. Always loved the beer. Do a search, there is at least one thread where guys discussed this extensively a while back. Love the home brew....doesn't save any money but it's the idea that your making your own brew. Especially when it turns out GOOD! lol

Here's the one I made when I first got started brewing. Lot of good tips in there.

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...highlight=brew

Here's couple of more I found.

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...highlight=brew

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showt...ight=home+brew

And here are a couple of home brew message boards I frequented when I first got started.

http://forum.northernbrewer.com/

http://www.brewboard.com/

First, I am not buying a Mr. Beer. Its a kit but that's not what its called. Second, I want this to be fairly simple. I don't want to get started and then find out I need something else. If it is too complicated, I will get frustrated and give up. Last, it would help to find that book if you could give me the title.

http://morebeer.com/

Handy store site that I’ve bought some gear and brew ingredients from.

I believe someone else mentioned Mr. Beer in their post. The book he is referencing is the How to Brew hardcopy of John Palmer's introductory website http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html There are tons of good books on the topic to help you along, but the howtobrew website is really all you need right now to get you started.

Additionally the kit you picked out will work great, agree on adding the auto siphon. You might check this kit out too http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewi...pment-kit.html same kit just $10 cheaper. They have a nice brown ale kit http://www.midwestsupplies.com/big-river-brown-ale.html if that is what you prefer as well.

You will still need to pick up a 5 gallon brewpot. Harbor Freight and other hardware stores usually have cheap stainless steel ones that will get you started. Also if you want bottles, check out a recycling center or your local bar. Usually you can find them, or ask them to set some aside for you. No need to pay $25 plus shipping.

If you need any other tips or have any direct questions just let me know. I am also a award winning brewer and have been brewing for 3 years now.

Great info. Thanks.

I do have another question. Can I just save my bottles from what I bought at the liquor store and sanitize them? For instance, I have Sam Adams, Boulevard, and Boulder Beer varieties in my garage mini fridge now.

Yes and No. Sam Adams and Boulder Beer are pop tops and can be resealed. Boulevard is a twist top and can't be resealed with the capper that you will get.

When I was bottling, I would just throw a bunch of used bottles in a big tub with water and oxyclean free and let is set for a couple hours, then rinse and they should be good. Just sanitize and fill when ready.

I'm brewing my next batch this Sunday. This will be my third batch and I'm still using a kit until I get the routine down a little more. I can't add much to what's already been said, but sanitization is the most critical item....the rest is a breeze IMO. It's like chemistry lab, but when you're done, you have beer! :toast:

Yep, a good sanitizing solution is a must for home brewing. Especially when you reuse bottles.

Also, after you drink them, make sure you rinse out the bottles with water if you plan on reusing them. Otherwise you can get mold growing in the bottom, which is a pain to scrub out.

i'm hopeful to get a starter kit/rig sometime before summer.