Hooray for Homebrewing! A newbie question..

I am just starting out and looking to get into homebrewing. I'm a college student and a year ago I came across "Brewing up a Business" by Sam Calagione. This started my beer revolution so to say. To make a long story short, I have been reading homebrewing books such as the Homebrewtalk.com recommended, "How to Brew" by John Palmer. Great read! So I have a question. I want to start out with a nice homebrewing kit and already have my eye on one:

Brewing Starter Kit :: Midwest Supplies Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies

This seems to be everything I would need to start off. I am very excited and look forward to delving deeper into the mass amounts of knowledge on these forums!

That's the exact kit I started on...well, something very close to it. Really (and this is everyones personal preference), you don't need the glass carboy. It's a PITA to transfer beer from it, but easy to clean. I own a few, but I only use them for ciders and beers that sit for more than a few months.

That kit has everything you need to get started. The autosiphon is a nice part of that set as well. Get some Starsan sanitizer to go along with it. The only thing it doesn't come with that you need is your brew kettle and burner if you plan to cook outdoors.

That's the kit I started on. It has everything you need. I started using carboys then switched to buckets and then went back to carboys. It's personal preference. You'll want to try the carboy at some point so it's good to have one.

What are you going with for a pot?

I'd recommend going with a fifteen gallon pot right off the bat rather than buying a five gallon to start.

I bought a five gallon pot when I started and wish I had gone with the bigger one. Not only for all grain purposes but for extract as well. It's nice to be able to comfortably boil all your liquid and not have to top off with water.

Looks like a pretty good kit. I only ferment in glass carboys. I think watching the fermentation take place is better then watching porn. Also the glass is easy to clean. You will never regret getting the auto siphon. I is the best piece of equipment i own. Also take Yeast_infections advice and go with a bigger pot right off the bat. I think a 15gallon pot may be a little extreme but 30qt pot goes for pennies at wally world in the turkey fryer section. Then when you switch to all grain you wont have to buy another pot. Happy brewing man

Yeah, I don't see how the glass carboy would be a pain with the auto-siphon. As this is the first brew, I gotta watch what it does. Also, I was thinking about trying an Oktoberfest type ale as my first. Any recommendations?

Carboys are nice and everything but they are just harder to clean than a bucket and not as easy to store either.

I've went back to using buckets aswell. You just cant beat the
ease of em. But i do miss watching the fermentation.

meluvbeer said:

I've went back to using buckets aswell. You just cant beat the
ease of em. But i do miss watching the fermentation.

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It is fun It wears off though.

JMSetzler said:

Carboys are nice and everything but they are just harder to clean than a bucket and not as easy to store either.

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Sometimes, I can agree with this. Storage factor definately goes to the buckets. I actually prefer buckets myself, but I find that my carboys are much easier to clean. Just put a gallon or two of hot water in it and shake it like crazy. Most of the time, this will get all the stuff off the sides for me.