First Time Brewing Question

Mesa512 · 03-07-2009, 06:48 PM

Hey guys,

My brother and I are going to try and make our first batch of beer. We have never tried to brew before so I apologize if I am not that knowledgeable on the topic.

Anyways...we went to a local store to buy our kit and our ingredients. The kit seems to be fine (as a starter kit that is) however I have a question about the ingredients. My friend who has brewed before told me to avoid the cans where you just pour in the ingredients and boil. Like I said this is my first time brewing so I was not able to catch it in the store for the kit came in one box. I am going to attach an image of the kit.

Can any of you tell me if I can substitute real malt for the malt extract syrup and if it would be compatible with the remaining ingredients or are we stuck with the kit that we have?

Thanks a lot for all your help. Cheers

Picture 1

Picture 2

Parker36 · 03-07-2009, 06:51 PM

There's nothing wrong with using the extracts, but I would recommend adding some specialty grains (maybe a pound or two of pilsner?) and avoid hop extracts - use real pellets or leaf. I strongly suggest reading up here. Good luck and welcome!

Mesa512 · 03-07-2009, 06:54 PM

So there is nothing wrong with the extract? Just curious....do you know what my friend was talking about when he was referring to the cans that you just pour in and boil.

By the way, thanks so much for the advise.

**Nurmey** · 03-07-2009, 06:57 PM

Welcome to HBT!

I don't think the cans are a bad way to learn the brewing process. Organization, sanitation, fermentation, and patience are learned from a can kit just as easily as a more complex kit. The only caution I would throw out is that sometimes the instructions are NOT good on the simple kits. If it tells you to add a bunch of sugar or bottle in a week, run, don't walk back here for better instructions.

Mesa512 · 03-07-2009, 06:59 PM

That is great to hear. For future reference are there any other kits that you would recommend or is the one that I bought (True Brew Kit) a good one to stick with.

**Nurmey** · 03-07-2009, 07:05 PM

There are lots of good kits that can be purchased locally but Austin Homebrew Supply is one of my favorite resources. I've made many exceptional kits from them. The series in the link below is made for beginners.

Austin Homebrew Supply

**Baldy_Beer_Brewery** · 03-07-2009, 07:29 PM

Kits are fine. There are even no-boil kits and while I've never brewed one of them, there must be a place for them in the home brew world. The kits I always liked best were ones with specialty grains. I felt like I was doing a little more to make beer although it was just steeping some grains.

Welcome to the hobby.

Indy418 · 03-07-2009, 07:50 PM

Welcome!

Take it from another newb--read as much as you can and start experimenting with grains. Even if it's just a pound or two to see how it works. It'll add a world of difference to your beer!

snailsongs · 03-07-2009, 07:59 PM

A kit from a place like Austin Homebrew or Midwest Brewing supply is generally going to be of much better quality in freshness, directions, and recipe formulation than any kit that comes in a pre-packaged box, so next time I would recommend going that route....there's no reason you can't make good tasting beer while learning organization, sanitation, fermentation and patience, ya know? - and a kit from one of these places is no harder to brew than what you have there......
....that said, make what you've got, and while it's fermenting you can place your order for the next batch or two and give them time to get to you, then you'll be ready to go when the fermentor comes up empty. good luck and have fun!

mrpinkbunny · 03-07-2009, 09:31 PM

I'm a complete n00b here too, have my first batch conditioning. I got the coopers kit, which says mix extract with fresh boiled water and sugar, top off with cold water, add yeast and seal. I know there's a lot of info on here about better ways to get better tasting beer, but I decided to follow the instructions to the letter the first time. Then I know what other people, and soon myself have improved on. It's still not going to make bad beer - just not as awesome as it could be. I have read many times though that no matter what it tastes like, your first homebrew is always the best beer in the world!