Beginner Brewing Kits

So I'm gonna start brewing! But i'm not sure which kit is the best money value for the equipment? I want a beginner kit that is more so "upper level" material if that makes sense. Here are some kits that i found:

http://www.makebeer.net/kit.asp

http://www.beermanmicrobrewery.com/starterkit.htm

http://www.mrbeer.com/category-exec/category_id/4

http://www.homebrewmart.com/starter_kit_1_store.html

Which are good for a beginner, but not "cheap" quality that i could maybe use for a while without purchasing another kit or upgrade.

Thanks guys,

Dave

I got my kit from northern brewer and I love it.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/starterkits.html

The glass starter kit is great. IMHO

All you'll need is a few bottles and this kit is ready to go.

I agree with Bill, although i just brewed my first batch last weekend so what do i know. I got basically the same kit as him but from here: http://morebeer.com/view_product/15910/102142. It comes with everything you need and is perfectly expandable as you grow to love the hobby. Ive already added another glass carboy. The good thing about the glass over the plastic is that you can watch what is happening to your beer through out the process (its actually kinda gross looking but whatever).

1. No. Sugar booster, PET bottles, & lager is not the best beginner beer.
2. No. No boil kit, PET bottles.
3. No. Mr. Beer kit. Need I say more?
4. Decent set. About $20 to high.

IMHO, go with Bill or LK's recommendation.

Dave, you should be OK with any of the kits Bill and LouisianaKid posted or the last one you posted. Personally I'd steer away from the first three you listed. The Mr Beer only makes 2 gallon batches.

Glass is nice, until you start reading all the stories around here regarding dropped and broken carboys. I am still fermenting in plastic until I can afford stainless steel. You can always add a carboy later if you want.

pldoolittle said:

4. Decent set. About $20 to high.

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Bare in mind, that includes an ingredient kit of your choice so the price isn't that far off.

morebeer.com
northernbrewer.com
midwestsupplies.com

Take what you want out of those three kits, then order it not in a "kit" version. It will save you money. DO NOT order any canned extract kits. You can get 5 gallons for what they charge for 2 1/2. I wish someone had given me that advice before I spent $50 on a Mr. Beer kit. You can make great beer just as easy with better equipment for cheaper if you know where to start. And you do.....cause you posted here! Welcome!!! There have been a bunch of topics on just this, so do a search and you will find what you are looking for.
1 other recommendation. Get a better bottle for a primary fermenter insead of a bucket. IMO it is much more fun to watch what is going on and it keeps you from opening the bucket and "checking" all the time.

Thanks guys, great info!

camiller said:

Bare in mind, that includes an ingredient kit of your choice so the price isn't that far off.

Click to expand...

Good catch. I missed that...

camiller said:

Glass is nice, until you start reading all the stories around here regarding dropped and broken carboys. I am still fermenting in plastic until I can afford stainless steel. You can always add a carboy later if you want.

Click to expand...

Breakages can happen, but I think the fear of the resultant mess far outweighs the actual risk of dropping a carbuoy. I'm been brewing in the same 2 glass carbuoys for 12 years now. You just have to be aware that a wet 50# bottle is slippery. As long as you dry off the bottle, dry off your hands, and don't plunk it down in a hard surface like concrete you'll have no issues.

As for plastic, I like being able to see my brew in progress, and I can't do that with plastic. I also like that glass doesn't scratch like plastic and doesn't have a rim seal to trap bacteria. Granted, cleaning plastic doesn't require a bottle brush, but 30 sec of brushing is certainly no more of a PITA than de-heading plastic pails.

I'm certainly not against plastic and I have made many good beers in plastic pails. But for me, I feel the glass better suits my needs. YMMV.

A buddy of mine got his starting kit from midwest because he thought he was saving a few bucks. Once they tacked on shipping he ended up paying more from midwest than he would have from AHS or NB.

http://windriverbrew.com/apprentice.html

Great price for what I think is a great starter kit. It comes with an ingredient kit (not canned) as well. Super nice guys, they left my bottle capper out of the kit so I gave them a call it was on my doorstep in 2 days.

WHERE COULD ONE FIND THE BEST SUPPLIER? STEVEE.
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