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kowboyup13 · 11-20-2012, 02:10 AM

Hi I'm new to brewing.... And have been wanting to brew since I tasted my first craft beer 5 yrs ago..... I've purchased a Mr. Beer kit to play around with so I can learn and experiment before I go big and.buy the heavy duty stuff.... My gf suggested that I do that.... I plan on getting more into it, but that's a.great place to start right?

Cicada · 11-20-2012, 02:18 AM

I have never used a Mr. Beer, but I am also a Newby, having only 2 brews under my belt. I would recommend trying out a regular extract kit.

The hardware needed is easy to find and not very expensive. Chances are, you already have some of what you need. The directions that come with extract kits are very easy to follow and self explanatory.

I got lucky because my dad had all the buckets needed from years ago, so my capital costs were non-existent but I have seen everything needed at low costs.

BrewinHooligan · 11-20-2012, 02:35 AM

I started with Mr Beer and it was like a gateway drug... It is a good place to start in my opinion. Read through the Mr Beer thread, lots of good suggestions there on how to make the best of their ingredients. It's a great way to get the basics and process down. I only made 4 batches in my Mr Beer before jumping into 5 gallon all-grain batches, but I still use the little keg for small batches of wine and other "test" batches. Welcome to the obsession!

kowboyup13 · 11-20-2012, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the advice.... I like that lil later be able to use it for small experimental brews.... Im gonna do my first batch on thanksgiving.... Im excited and nervous.....

cooper · 11-20-2012, 02:17 PM

I started out with an extract kit with specialty grains that the LHBS was selling. That's what got me hooked. And the fact that my great-grandfather would do it during prohibition times

He'd call it "Putting the Hens to Nest" when he and my grandfather and uncles would get together to brew up some beer. Kind of weird but hey, I wasnt there.

kowboyup13 · 11-20-2012, 05:31 PM

Putting The Hens to rest i can dig that.... Maybe u can do a specialty beer in honor of ur gpa and Call it that.....

cooper · 11-20-2012, 06:25 PM

I thought about that. Maybe once I finally get a good grasp on building recipes I can do that. My g-pa said that most of the stuff they made was low hopped, super malty, and just a tad on the sweet side.

kowboyup13 · 11-21-2012, 03:42 AM

That could work..... Id try some... I just named my beer... Lol and.on.accident to....and it.hasnt.even bene.brewed yet.....

cooper · 11-21-2012, 01:33 PM

Make sure when you buy your first kit that you buy StarSan and use it. It really sucks to go through all that mess of making the beer just to have it get a bug in it and you have to dump it out.

kowboyup13 · 11-21-2012, 03:18 PM

Thanks for.the heads up..... The Mr Beer kit came.with one.... Im.gonna order more...... I read that sanitizing is one of the key things