Beginner Brewer Looking For a Nice Kit

[MichaelScime]

Ok guys I am considering 3 or 4 kits and if there are any other you think would be good let me know!

so here they are
kit 1
kit 2
kit 3
kit 4

Here are my questions

So I guess what kit would you recommend

Whats going to be the difference between keg and no keg

What else will I need

How to I choose an ingredient kit

All grain VS Recipe kits


Thanks a bunch guys!

 

[treacheroustexan]

Ok guys I am considering 3 or 4 kits and if there are any other you think would be good let me know!

so here they are
kit 1
kit 2
kit 3
kit 4

Here are my questions

So I guess what kit would you recommend

Whats going to be the difference between keg and no keg

What else will I need

How to I choose an ingredient kit

All grain VS Recipe kits


Thanks a bunch guys!

Well are you going to keg your beer or bottle it? I'm assuming bottle it being a first time brewer. Do you have a equipment? I would check this out before buying a kit:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/homebrewing-equipment/equipment-kits/beginner-s-guide.html

Choosing a kit depends on whether your're brewing extract or all grain. If you're brewing extract, all of what they talk about in the beginners guide in that link I posted should be all you need. In extract, you just take some extra steps out of the brewing process by using the malt extract in the kit. If you brew all grain, you extract from the grains yourself in a mash tun.

Also a thread in this forum to check out:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/beginner-extract-brewing-howto-99139/

Everyone here is pretty good about answering questions, but I would do yourself a favor and read up as much as you can! Lots of good books and stuff out there as well.

 

[MichaelScime]

Thanks man and yeah I will probably bottle for a bit

So whats better extracts or grains?

is there anything other then whats in one of those kits i need other then a recipe kit?

 

[treacheroustexan]

Starting out I would go for extract until you get a hang of the process. Some people jump straight into all grain but not many. If you do extract you should be ok, but if you do all grain you will need a mash tun. Youtube has a lot of great videos as well!

 

[MichaelScime]

ok so what kit should I look at like what companies have nice kits/are the kits I listed nice

and what other stuff do I need

and what recipe is nice and easier

 

[Yellowirenut]

I have had excellent results with kits from AIH
http://www.homebrewing.org/Beer-Recipe-Kits_c_135.html

I would say most kits put together by the shop its self are fresh and reliable.
Kits from Mr. beer and brewers best are assembles elsewhere and may be months or even years old.
I do both all grain and extract. I tend to do the extract when I may not have a half day to give towards brewing but am in need of filling the kegs.

Also after you have a kit or two under your belt I would start reading about the fermentation process and learn to make starters for your yeast. Others may disagree but for me %70 of the brewing process takes place during fermentation. That is were a beer becomes great or gross.

 

[unionrdr]

I'd say kit #2 if you're going to bottle. Best bang for the buck starting out. And you can buy a couple cases of pop top brown bottle beers to drink for the empties you'll need. A five gallon batch uses 48-55 12oz bottles.

 

[Alistechbumb]

I would say anything from Midwest. But as has been stated by others figure out what you want to do. If extract and bottling then the Master Brewer kit is not what you need although down the road you may want it. The progression is generally extract to partial mash to all grain but who knows, you may brew two batches and figure out you don't like doing it. Or like most of us here you'll end up going deeper than you ever thought.
DO you have a friend that brews? If so hang out with them on a few brew days and see what it takes to brew a batch. Read everything you can and then make your decision.
I will tell you what started out as a basic kit for me has turned into an entire basement remodel soon to start. If you enjoy the hobby you will soon be acquiring all sorts of items, building mash tuns, kegging, etc.
Also do not forget about your local Craigslist. Ours has tons of "Used Once" kits on it and other items. The sell for less than half cost and it is a great way to try out the hobby.
I will add Buy the Biggest brew pot you can afford. I started with a 5 1/2 gallon and have progressed to all grain from extract so am shopping for one almost twice the size now; or go the opposite direction and try a few one gallon batches to see how you like it. Seems to be a few One Gallon brewers here.
As far as starting out try a few kits. Midwest kits are fresh and always turn out decent. Then start trying some of the recipes here or in Brew Your Own every month. The best beer I brewed came out of a book, and of course I cannot remember it so Document Everything you do. LOL.
No matter what research, find a friend that brews, research more and then go for it!

 

[MichaelScime]

No friends that brew unfortunately.
I think I might get a basic kits and recipe kit.
Buy bottles from locals on the local by and sell page
Buy a 20gt port for 40+tax(13%)

I will look on kijiji(canadian craigslist) and see if I can't find anything

I should start looking for a club but like I like this like I like my veg gardening; I can spend a day on it then its minor upkeep that will have good rewards

Ok guys any thing else will still help keep it coming

 

[MichaelScime]

Actually this kit is appealing too!

http://www.homebrewing.org/Beginning-Homebrew-Kit-Upgrade-3_p_1706.html

 

[NeoBrew]

I started with your "kit 3". With glass carboys. It comes with your choice of three extract kits with steeping grains. I did the Irish Red. While I've added a lot to my brewery since then, I'm still using most all the equipment that came in that kit. I'd highly recommend it.



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[MichaelScime]

kit 3 on that last page i sent?

 

[MichaelScime]

this one http://www.homebrewing.org/Beginning-Homebrew-Kit-Upgrade-2-_p_1692.html
or this one http://www.homebrewing.org/Beginning-Homebrew-Kit-Upgrade-3_p_1706.html
?

 

[NeoBrew]

Kit 3 from your original post. The Norther Brewer Deluxe kit.

 

[MichaelScime]

the 240 one or around there the second link?

 

[MichaelScime]

How does this look?

 

[NeoBrew]

This one: http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/deluxe-brewing-starter-kit.html


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[MichaelScime]

I was looking at that one, whats the difference between http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...-brewing-starter-kit-white-house-edition.html and that

 

[MichaelScime]

Cant order from midwest :/

 

[NeoBrew]

Looks like the difference is the growler, the glass, and the logos.

 

[MichaelScime]

Cant order from northern either

 

[KepowOb]

Being in Canada you'll have to order from a Canadian company (or lhbs). I got my first kit from OntarioBeerKegs.com, and they have a good selection of equipment kits. I've also ordered through BeerGrains.com. Their 6 gallon starter kit should be enough to get you started, except it doesn't come with a kettle. Both companies have fantastic customer service.


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[MB331]

Whichever kit you end up ordering, I would recommend going with the plastic carboys. Carrying a 5 gallon glass carboy filled with wort can be pretty strenuous if you are brewing alone. They are cheaper and you can always use them for secondaries if you switch to glass. As other posters have pointed out you will adding a lot more equipment if you find you like brewing.
Also see if you can get 1/2" siphon tubing and 1/2" siphon with your order, it makes transferring the wort a lot faster.

 

[MichaelScime]

ok ill take a look and reply thanks guys keep er coming

 

[MichaelScime]

ok so does this look alright?

http://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/Comp...ipment_Kit_Canada_p/hbequipkit-2-complete.htm

 

[MB331]

As a beginner (like me), much of the fun is watching the fermentation process. Unfortunately you can't do that with buckets. You will only see the airlock bubbling away.
After reading many forum threads and viewing videos (Northern Brewer has a ton) you should make a list of all what the kits offer, decide what you need and price it out at your local home brewing shop. E.G. The last kit looked nice but if you are brewing indoors an aluminum stockpot would suffice at a fraction of the cost. They cool much faster in an ice bath too.
Also, bottling (besides cleaning) is the least fun part of the process so i would recommend larger bottles----22oz or liter.

 

[MichaelScime]

Well i month think i would mind the bottling but you got a point with the bucket thing.

 

[KepowOb]

If you will be brewing in your kitchen, that kit will probably be ideal. You can do their 3.5 gallon kits to start (since I think one or two come with the kit anyway), and then either keep doing smaller batches (some people love them) or simply get 5 gallon recipes and do partial boils, and when you do decide to upgrade, you'll probably be able to find a use for that 5 gallon kettle anyway.


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[unionrdr]

The only thing I didn't like about the Ale Pails is that they have no seal in the lid.

 

[kcmobrewer]

Too bad you missed the big mouth bubbler starter kit. That was a hell of a deal.

Anyway, I saw you were thinking of a 20qt pot. Definitely go bigger. 32qt minimum in my opinion. Preferably 40. You can find them on eBay cheap.

Partial boils suck.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=141106351809

Like i said, cheap. You can go even cheaper and do aluminum.


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