jsouth1

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My wife has given me the great gift of brewing equipment. I've brewed with Mr. Beer before, enjoyed it, but wanted something a little more. So, after looking and researching, what do you all recommend when trying to decide between Coopers vs the Deluxe Brewer's Best equipment kit? Thank you.

Pappers_

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Welcome, J! Congratulations on the gift - that's outstanding.

I don't know the equipment kits for Coopers or Brewer's Best - if you post links to what you are looking at exactly, people can give you their thoughts.

Also, if you look at the major online vendors here, they all have really good equipment kits. I sometimes order from Seven Bridges and they have an equipment kit that includes your first ingredient kit, too - and their ingredient kits are outstanding. http://www.breworganic.com/complete2stagebrewerywithorganicbeerkit.aspx

Here's another one from a good online vendor, too http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_33_52&products_id=12735

If you look through the vendors list here at HBT, you'll find reputable dealers who can sell you what you need.

Happy brewing!

__________________
http://www.singingboysbrewing.com

jsouth1

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Thanks Jim. So, between these 3 kits, which would be the best for me to start out with?

http://www.homebrewit.com/beer-brewing-kit-equipment.php

http://www.breworganic.com/complete2stagebrewerywithorganicbeerkit.aspx

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-intermediate-kit-w-two-5-gallon-glass-carboys.html

Thank you everyone.

Pappers_

Recipes 

They all look good. I think the essentials are a fermenter (bucket or carboy), a bottling bucket, tubing, an auto-siphon (not an essential but really nice to have), a bottling wand, a capper, a thermometer, and an airlock.

Cheers!

__________________
http://www.singingboysbrewing.com

voodoocurt

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Hello,
I did the austin kit and it rocks....BTW I too live in Daphne...wonder if there's anymore people on here on the Eastern Shore?

Voodoocurt

jsouth1

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Voodoocurt,
There are probably alot of Eastern Shore brewers on here. I'm gonna head to our local brew supply store and check it out and see what kits they have and try to support the local brewers. Maybe order from Austin if needed.

raf1919

Recipes 

i actually have both the kits. i have the coopers kit and the brewers best starting kit. i like the coopers better because the primary fermenter is nicer. it has screw on lid easy on/off. built in handles and spout that doesnt leak.

but to be honest its minimal differences i paid 100 for coopers and 50 for the brewers best. at that price i would go brewers best again.

voodoocurt

Recipes 

JSouth,
Are you talking about Winesmith in West Mobile? If so, I wasn't too impressed with the selection. I can't remember his name, but he knew his stuff. After looking at all his inventory I decided (for me) it was easier to go with a kit from Austin and save money. He couldn't put together the same kit for the price. I'm kinda new to this but I wish there was a HB club on the Eastern Shore, I know mobile has the L.A. Lagers but I've thought about starting one on the ES....any thoughts?
V

crombie

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I would echo the coopers kit praise of the fermenter.

Considering buying another one because it works so well and makes things like bottling super easy.

Broncoblue

Recipes 

I dont know the other kit but I started with the coopers kit. I use the fermenting bucket from that kit as my botteling bucket because of its bottling wand type thing that connects to the spigot. It comes with nice long plastic stirring spoon which I still use and 30 plastic bottles and caps that should get you going until you get your own glass bottles and capper. I think the best thing is the fermentation bucket with the twist lid and spoon and bottle wand