Complete and Absolute Newbie

[Edu19b]

Hello everyone, recently I came across and advertisement for a home brewing supplier, of course they were advertising a Kit they sell, now that got me to thinking that brewing my own beer might be something I enjoy, now I in particular like to make almost everything from scratch, mostly for the feeling of accomplishment than anything else, so I went on a scavenger hunt for recipes that didn't involve a kit, and came accross this great forum, the problem is, at least for me, is that even in the beginners section, there are a lot of terms, and procedures that I don't yet understand, so I need some guidance there, and I also would appreciate inmensly a little help with the ingredients, now I know, from what I've read here , that a 100% grocery store bought ingredient recipe is not the best idea, but I live in Central America, though I'm sure I can find all the required ingredients, a lot of them would be in specialty stores that import them, and would probably cost an arm and a leg to buy all the ingredients there, so all I want with this is a little help so I only need to buy the really essential ingredients there, as to only pay a single hand xD, like brewing yeast and such.

Thanks in Advance for your time
Salud

 

[unionrdr]

There are other home brewers from South America on here. Maybe they can help you in your quest. Try searching home brew supply sites & ask if they export ship to your country for starters?

 

[kh54s10]

For the terminology: you can start here: http://www.howtobrew.com/

The online version is old and has some outdated information but is a good start. If you can, get the book which is updated.

You will have to search for the proper ingredients. What will be found in most stores is not what you will need, though some ingredients like oats can be bought from a grocery store. These ingredients are usually a small "additional" ingredient.

Maybe you can do an internet search for homebrew supplies in your country. There might be one that can ship you what you need.

Good luck!

 

[Clonefan94]

One thing I'd like to add is don't dismiss kits entirely. As long as it's a kit that you boil for 60 minutes and make hop additions along the way, (not pre-hopped malt extract) it really gives you a good sense of what home brewing is and gives you a solid base to start building your own recipes from. I was similar to you. I love DIY in almost everything I do. Cooking, home improvement, automotive work. There is a sense of pride that definitely comes with knowing you made it yourself. I started brewing using kits and I think it really served me well in the long run. It basically lets you get used to your system and familiarizes you with brewing beer. Makes that next just to all-grain a lot easier.

 

[Melana]

Welcome!!!

 

[Edu19b]

Thank you that is very helpful!!!

 

[Edu19b]

Sorry I had not read all the answers but thank you all a lot for your time, I will take a look at the site that was recommended for the terminology and clonefan, I thought about that, I'll sleep on it xD

 

[soccerdad]

Where in Central America? There are several brewers here in Guatemala who can help to source supplies .. probably some as well in Honduras, Costa Rica ....

 

[FrostyGrog]

Hey Edu, are you still in Costa Rica?

Just wondering as I read this post dated last year and I am also really new to brewing. Did you find any information about getting ingredients? I know there are a few brew stores one going by the name of Ticobirra but the prices are crazy there, I've searched everywhere on the internet and I can't find any groups or forums with people doing homebrew in CR. Anyway hope you've had some success, looking for some myself cheers!

 

[Chrispy92]

I've been a newbie for 1 month now. Troll through this forum and read, that is the best tool you have right now! So much knowledge and as I scroll I just google terms I don't know.

The more I learn the more I get obsessed!

Good luck and have fun!