Extract Brewing

[user 41638]

Hey all-

I was wondering if you could tell me what starter equipment kits you purchased when you were first starting. I'm looking to buy a starter equipment kit, but there's about a million different kits out there and I really don't know which to get?

 

[bad67z]

Welcome, I purchased this outfit from Mid West, this was one of the best values I found.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/starter-kits/better-basic-starter-kit.html

Cheers.

 

[user 41638]

Anyone else?! I know you've all had the same issue!

 

[Effington]

Welcome, I purchased this outfit from Mid West, this was one of the best values I found.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/starter-kits/better-basic-starter-kit.html

Cheers.

Actually bad, that's a Northern Brewer kit. I did get mine from Midwest who I recommend for starter kits because their prices are the best I've found online. I recommend this one:

http://new.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-starter-kit.html?SID=0rcfurt2hfmes5mt2bqipmft5u7l05bt

That's almost identical to the Northern Brewer kit except it comes with a primary bucket in addition to the carboy, a better capper, an instructional book and... well, it's considerably cheaper. Midwest's kit comes with a 5 gallon carboy instead of a 6, but that's better for secondary (and Apfelwein) anyway.

Even with shipping factored in, the Midwest starter kit is a better value. They also include a free DVD with every purchase.

I really like Northern Brewer, especially their recipe kits, but for bundled starter equipment, Midwest is a great value.

Unless I'm missing something. I found that Midwest's brew kettles are a better value too. I use this one:

http://new.midwestsupplies.com/stainless-steel-brewing-pot-5-gallon.html

Although, if you ever think you might want to do all-grain or a full boil, I would just get a 7 or 8 gallon now.

 

[nepatsfan1]

Got a true brew starter kit from my LHBS made by Crosby & Baker.

 

[Sithdad]

I got my Tru Brew kit for Christmas 2 years ago and it has everything that the basic Northern Brewer kit has. The Midwest kit that is suggested above has everything you'll need except for a thermometer for reading boiling and cooling temps.

 

[Chudz]

I bought a Brewer's Best kit at my LHBS. It was the one with just the buckets and no carboy. The only issue I had with it was the spigot for the bottling bucket suffered from chronic incontinence. That issue was resolved by buying another one for under three dollars.

 

[corvax13]

I got my kit second hand from a friend, but I believe it was the AHS starter, and it worked out great.

 

[SMOKEU]

I got a Brewcraft one. Only thing it should've included was a trial jar.

 

[Jud]

I started with just buying a 6 gallon glass carboy, extract kit, corny keg, and a hydrometer. Check craiglist, I have found alot of stuff on there!!!

I have added alot to that since. Best of luck!!!

 

[dpittard]

Another vote for Midwest. Again, their prices were the best all around!

 

[Marko73]

I also bought the Brewers Best Beginner kit from my LHBS. It came with everything that I needed for my first brews. They did have an option to upgrade to an Autosiphon and I would highly recommend that.

You will probably see two schools of thought: Go big early and save money in the long run or buy a basic kit to learn with and add things as you progress as a brewer.

I tend to subscribe to the second school of thought. I was totally overwhelmed the first time I brewed so keeping it very simple and stupid was the way to go for me and the basic kit is great for that.

Plus, one of the best parts of brewing is buying new equipment!! I have since added a few carboys, an Immersion chiller, some upgraded kettles, an outdoor burrner, digital scale, etc. Part of the fun was researching that different equipment. You probably do spend more money in the long run, but I tend to spread out my purchases anyways so it doesn't put a huge dent in the brew budget.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[illinifan]

Nice Handle!

I bought the "COMPLETE HOME BREWERY" kit from williamsbrewing.com with the brew pot. A little more expensive than others, but I needed a big pot anyway. It also came with an extract kit.

 

[Pivot]

I just recommend you dont take the word of a guy at a LHBS. when i first started the guy only sold me like half the stuff I needed to start. i know it sounds weird, like you think they would want to sell you as much as possible but yeah, the guy send me in the wrong direction, and ive seen alot of cases with this with other people too.

The most wisdom i think I can impart to you is to actually buy a kit that is put together for you on a respected homebrew site. dont trust some idiot to throw together a kit for you on the spot.