Home Brewers

[Dayze]

I'm sure there are home brewers here on CP; if this question/topic has been raised in the past mods fee free to delete and direct me to the thread etc.


I've always wanted to try my hand at home brewing; I like nearly every kind of beers: hoppy pale ales; stouts, draughts, pilsners etc.

I was thinking of getting a very basic 'starter kit'; something that is difficult to screw up for a first timer. My goal would be to eventually evolve into more complex brewing techinques etc.

But for now; can anyone recommend a good starter kit/set up that won't break the bank?

[Demonpenz]

i like miller light with my zune

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

i like miller light with my zune

thanks.
that quick fermentation process from the store to the man cave has its' advantages.

[cdcox]

Here's a thread on the subject. I used to brew, but started with whole grain brewing, because my goal is to make my life as difficult as possible.

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

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Here's a thread on the subject. I used to brew, but started with whole grain brewing, because my goal is to make my life as difficult as possible.

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

Thanks; you're a gentlemen and a scholar.

Rep.

[stanleychief]

Wow, I must have been asleep for the other thread! I'm a home brewer and glad to see that others here are into this as well.

Step number one is to get The Complete Joy of Home Brewing by Charlie Papazian. I'd read this book prior to buying anything else if you possibly can. It will give you a good overview of the equipment you will use, and pros and cons of the various types.

Step number two is to buy your brewing equipment. I purchase most of my equipment online simply because in most cases it's cheaper. I do however get most of my ingredients in town because they seem to be fresher. There are four places I would recommend:

Midwest Supplies
Northern Brewer
William's Brewing
More Beer

I'd recommend that you go ahead and purchase a kit with a 6.5 gallon glass carboy and forget using the bucket as your primary fermenter. Not to say a bucket isn't necessary, it most certainly is (sanitizer water, bottling bucket, etc), you just don't want to ferment in it. The reason behind this is that it is just too easy to scratch a bucket, and once scratched, it provides a harbor for bacteria. This would be a good starter kit.

Midwest Supplies has a free DVD you get with their starter kits. They may also give them away with other purchases. While not necessary, actually seeing the process in action gives you some knowledge you just can't get from a book.

William's Brewing has some FANTASTIC ingredient kits... some of the best I've ever tried. The only downside to their kits is that they don't tell you what the exact ingredients are so you can't purchase them elsewhere.

Also, while not necessary, I'd go ahead and pony up for a turkey cooker type setup with a stainless steel pot (7 gallon is ideal) if you can afford it. It takes a long time to bring 5 gallons to a full boil. You can get by with a partial boil, but it's a lot easier and cleaner doing the whole cooking process outside or in the garage. Your kitchen will thank you for it.

Another nice thing to get is a wort chiller. This is also not necessary, but will shave off a lot of time waiting for the boiled wort to cool. Counterflow chillers work best, but cost a little more.

I'm brewing from all grain now, and I have quite an elaborate setup. I use the HERMS method of brewing (yes, unfortunate name I know) which worked out wonderfully for the first batch. I put up a crappy web page mostly to show the guys at work what the heck I was talking about. http://www.drpixel.net/brewtree/

If you live in KC, I actually have an old turkey fryer stand and a stainless steel keg that I used for boiling wort last year. They're both in working condition and I'm looking to sell them cheap. I'd take $25 for the pair just to get them out of my garage if you're interested. I think the shape and size would probably cost too much to ship.

I know it can be a little overwhelming at first, but the book I recommended will explain all and is largely regarded as the home brewing bible. If you have any questions, just shoot me a PM here and I'll be glad to help.

Relax. Don't worry. Have a home brew!

[Dayze]

Great!

So, in terms of golfing, etc; I'm looking to 'get into ' the sport w/out breaking the bank. I don't want to start out with absolute garbage, but I want some gear that is 'good' (decent clubs); which I can later replace with 'great' equipment etc.(Taylor Made, etc)

Is it better to visit a local brewing store and get a beginner/starter set up?
I was considering the Mr. Brew or Mr. Beer (what ever it's called)...but based on some comments, is it better to just pony up slightly more $ for a basic set up? I'm not looking to drop $500 or anything like that....but could one get a basic set up for $100-200 range? At this point, making my own wort/mash (or whatever it's called) would be over my head, so I would be buying the kits etc.

I'm thinking I would just need something to ferment; bottles/bottling supplies etc...

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by stanleychief

If you live in KC, I actually have an old turkey fryer stand and a stainless steel keg that I used for boiling wort last year. They're both in working condition and I'm looking to sell them cheap. I'd take $25 for the pair just to get them out of my garage if you're interested. I think the shape and size would probably cost too much to ship.

I might be interested in that.

[Chest Rockwell]

Welcome to the fraternity. I can heartily recommend the following link:

http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/index.html

it's where I went when I started, and produces a nice little American Pale Ale. The big draw for me is it was only two weeks cradle to grave, so I could find out quickly if it was something I wanted to pursue.

Best of luck.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by dayzeofthenew

Great!

So, in terms of golfing, etc; I'm looking to 'get into ' the sport w/out breaking the bank. I don't want to start out with absolute garbage, but I want some gear that is 'good' (decent clubs); which I can later replace with 'great' equipment etc.(Taylor Made, etc)

Is it better to visit a local brewing store and get a beginner/starter set up?
I was considering the Mr. Brew or Mr. Beer (what ever it's called)...but based on some comments, is it better to just pony up slightly more $ for a basic set up? I'm not looking to drop $500 or anything like that....but could one get a basic set up for $100-200 range? At this point, making my own wort/mash (or whatever it's called) would be over my head, so I would be buying the kits etc.

I'm thinking I would just need something to ferment; bottles/bottling supplies etc...

You should be able to come up with an “equipment starter kit” and an extract brew kit to get you going for around, or under $100.
If you live close to KC, I’d recommend going to Bacchus Barley Corn and just talk to the lady that runs the place. She’s very nice and always willing to help brew noobs.

http://www.bacchus-barleycorn.com/

[xbarretx]

Originally Posted by stanleychief

Relax. Don't worry. Have a home brew!

you can only say that b/c your still stuck back in 82

also... wines pretty easy to do at home too.

[Chest Rockwell]

Originally Posted by dayzeofthenew

Great!
So, in terms of golfing, etc; I'm looking to 'get into ' the sport w/out breaking the bank. I don't want to start out with absolute garbage, but I want some gear that is 'good' (decent clubs); which I can later replace with 'great' equipment etc.(Taylor Made, etc)

Is it better to visit a local brewing store and get a beginner/starter set up?

I did the following for my first batch to do it quick and on the cheap:

$20 enameled stock pot from Wal-Mart
Big stirring spoon I already had
Pyrex measuring cup I already had
$15 Plastic fermenter
$20Bottling bucket (would be optional)
Airlock
Bottles I'd saved from drinking beer (no twist-offs)
$5 Bottle caps from local brew store (brewery overrun)
Bleach for sanitization

I upgraded and added equipment later.

And yes, please support your local brew shop.

I was considering the Mr. Brew or Mr. Beer (what ever it's called)...

[Cartman] NO NEWBIE, THAT'S A BAD NEWBIE!!![/Cartman]

but based on some comments, is it better to just pony up slightly more $ for a basic set up? I'm not looking to drop $500 or anything like that....but could one get a basic set up for $100-200 range? At this point, making my own wort/mash (or whatever it's called) would be over my head, so I would be buying the kits etc.

Do that...you can get what you need for a first batch PLUS ingredients for under $100.

[JimNasium]

Two very useful websites are:

www.howtobrew.com
www.brewboard.com

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by Chest Rockwell

[Cartman] NO NEWBIE, THAT'S A BAD NEWBIE!!![/Cartman]

I used one to get started, and came up with some drinkable brews, but since I’ve progressed I certainly wouldn’t go back so it was pretty much wasted money.

[Dayze]

Excellent gentlemen; this is great & exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Great links to your recommdned shops/sites.

I can't wait to get home and check these out.