How to get started?

I've used the Mr. Beer kit a few years back and now I want to get back into brewing, but this time for real. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good beginners kit and a how-to book. I've been looking at Midwest but I'm not sure which kit would be ideal for me. Thanks.

I was thinking about something like this... http://www.midwestsupplies.com/everything-a-carboy-complete-brewing-package-equipment-kit-2.html

Get a copy of How to Brew by John Palmer. Best 15 bucks you'll ever spend.

dgoldb1 said:

I've used the Mr. Beer kit a few years back and now I want to get back into brewing, but this time for real. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good beginners kit and a how-to book. I've been looking at Midwest but I'm not sure which kit would be ideal for me. Thanks.

I was thinking about something like this... http://www.midwestsupplies.com/everything-a-carboy-complete-brewing-package-equipment-kit-2.html

Click to expand...

That looks like a nice kit at a fair price. You might also want to consider visiting a local brew shop if there is one in your area. I've found my local brew shop is very helpful and has all the stuff I need.

Bizoune said:

Get a copy of How to Brew by John Palmer. Best 15 bucks you'll ever spend.

Click to expand...

This book is also available in an online version for free.
http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html

It still might be nice to have the hardcopy version, but this at least lets you see the whole book before you choose to buy it.

The first edition of How to Brew is available free online http://www.howtobrew.com/ .

I personally don't secondary, so I would get a kit with out a secondary vessel.

I would also drink 2 cases of microbew while waiting for your kit to arrive and for your beer to ferment instead of buying new bottles.

I would highly recommend getting the complete kit from Williams Brewing:

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/COMPLETE_BREWERY_WITHOUT_A_KIT_P2355C257.cfm

It comes with a kettle and a wort chiller, two things that most kits are missing. You can also add your first ingredients kit and you are ready to go. You can't beat the price anywhere and is a great starter kit.

I am a fan of "The Joy of Homebrewing." Perhaps for a guy with Mr. Beer experience it isn't necessary but Papazian does a good job of getting you brewing with simple unthreatening advice. After a while you will outgrow it, but it is a great help if your at all trepidacious.

Here's the kit I started with:

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-starter-kit.html

It's a good kit. I agree about getting a wort chiller. It helps A LOT. I am still doing the ice bath but once I get some cash, I 'll be buying a wort chiller.

Also, try and get a good sized brew pot. I can only do 3 gallon boils. You can totally make decent beer with a smaller pot but I am already seeing the advantage to a bigger pot. If you can, go for the bigger one.

+1,000 on getting the "how to brew" book by john palmer. Also, The complete joy of home brewing by Charlie Papazian. Both are great books and full of information.

Have fun!

That is the exact stuff I bought to start. Except I didn't get the bottles. You really could get by without the secondary but the auto siphon that comes with that kit is nice. In addition I would recommend buying some Star San and a spray bottle.