Finding Ingredients / Kit help

[golfgod04]

Hi, Im new to home brewing and got the True Brew Maestro kit. I've seen a couple of relatives brew and always been interested. I was wondering what advice people can offer for thinking of what to brew.

Do you find a recipe and then buy your grains to match the recipe? Or do you recommend using one of the pre-packaged kits?

Also, I thought making your own beer was cheaper than buy cases at the liquor store. It seems like most of the pre-packaged kits are 30 to 50 dollars. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[eadavis80]

Northern Brewer has earned a lot of my money in the last calendar year. I've purchased nearly all my kits from them. They have a no questions asked guarantee on kits. If you're not happy, e-mail them and they'll mail you a replacement - no questions asked. You can't beat that. Twice I think I made mistakes and they replaced them. As for kits, on average they're in the prices you mentioned, but figure that equates to less than $1/beer considering you should around 50 beers per kit. If you make stuff you think is a $2-$3 pint, you're coming out way ahead (after equipment costs, of course). However, don't get into brewing strictly for cost savings. It's a hobby. There's always a way to take your brewing to "the next level" with another gadget/toy or some piece of equipment. But, it's a highly addictive hobby that teaches patience, creativity and attention to detail.

 

[RM-MN]

Hi, Im new to home brewing and got the True Brew Maestro kit. I've seen a couple of relatives brew and always been interested. I was wondering what advice people can offer for thinking of what to brew.

Do you find a recipe and then buy your grains to match the recipe? Or do you recommend using one of the pre-packaged kits?

Also, I thought making your own beer was cheaper than buy cases at the liquor store. It seems like most of the pre-packaged kits are 30 to 50 dollars. Any information would be appreciated.

Yes, I recommend finding a recipe and buying the grains to match or buy a pre-packaged kit. If you match the ingredients with the kit you should find little difference it price.....until you start brewing all grain. Don't forget to include the cost of the yeast and all the hops when comparing recipe to kit prices.

A brew kit that costs $50 will make about 5 gallons of beer, or 2 cases, or 50 bottles of beer. That's a dollar a bottle. Compare the recipe the kit contains and then compare the price against the craft brew that is closest matched. If you want to compare the quality brew that you can make against the cheapest beer you can buy, you'll be better off buying. I prefer quality beer to the cheap stuff.:rockin:

 

[golfgod04]

THanks for the info/advice. Are there any other recommended sites for kits?

Also, is it better for all grain kits or kits with malt extract?

 

[RM-MN]

THanks for the info/advice. Are there any other recommended sites for kits?

Also, is it better for all grain kits or kits with malt extract?

How do you define better? Extract kits are easier but that comes with an increase in cost but if you've never brewed before it is an attractive method. There are a bunch of sites where you can buy kits. Often it is better to buy from one nearby as shipping can be expensive.

 

[Onkel_Udo]

THanks for the info/advice. Are there any other recommended sites for kits?

Also, is it better for all grain kits or kits with malt extract?

Lots and lots and lots of sites for kits...if you are in the US. Morebeer, Austin Homebrew Supply, and Williams are the ones I have purchased from at some point in the last 15 years. I will say that Northern's kits always seem excellent.

Extract, Extract with specialty grains, partial mash and all-grain all have their own appeal. The first two require the least equipment and time but still make darned good beer. The third requires at least a bigger bag and real thermometer plus an extra hour. The last requires at least a bigger pot (or much smaller batch size) a bigger, stronger bag and probably a burner...but the sky is the limit when you get into all-grain. Cost per beer excluding equipment can become very inexpensive once you get into all-grain when you start purchasing things in bulk.

 

[golfgod04]

thank you for the input! i appreciate the info

 

[mfgann]

I liked the kit from Midwest as well as Northern Brewer. I plan on trying Austin Homebrew next, I think.

I am using extract kits right now, and I think most people tend to start there. Extract kits will make good beer. All-grain gives you some more control, and is cheaper (once you have the setup to do it). If I go to all-grain down the road I'll probably try the Brew-in-a-bag ( BIAB ) method, as it seems to be a lot smaller investment to get started with similar, if not equal results to the traditional 3-tier system. If you get curious I'm sure people on here that have done both would be happy to tell you their thoughts.

There is a good thread on how to do BIAB if you get curious. You can find it here.

 

[solbes]

Extract kits might save you money, but usually only if you were to compare vs six packs of good craft beer. Sometimes you can get good deals on kits and then you are really saving money.

I would recommend trying 3 or 4 extract kits to see if you like the hobby, nail down some of the very important basics (sanitation, pitching enough yeast, proper post boil wort chilling, and fermentation temp control). Assuming you are still liking it and you are satisfied with the beer you are making, I would try a few partial mash kits. These aren't any cheaper, but get you started mashing grains which is a more advanced technique. Ask that the grains be double milled from your brew shop so you get better efficiency. If you are still liking it at that point, you are more than ready to try all grain.

This is where the cost savings are at. You can buy a 50 lb bag of base malt ($35-40) and get 3-6 brews out of it. You pay for the crystal, kilned, and adjuncts for each brew you are designing, as well as the hops you need. You can copy the ingredients from AG kits if you like (see NB for recipes). Once you get to this point you can brew up a batch for anywhere between $10 and 35 (higher if you have a LOT of hops and/or grain). BIAB is a cheap way to get started, traditional mash/lauter tun will cost you some money up front. Cheers!

 

[golfgod04]

I liked the kit from Midwest as well as Northern Brewer. I plan on trying Austin Homebrew next, I think.

I am using extract kits right now, and I think most people tend to start there. Extract kits will make good beer. All-grain gives you some more control, and is cheaper (once you have the setup to do it). If I go to all-grain down the road I'll probably try the Brew-in-a-bag ( BIAB ) method, as it seems to be a lot smaller investment to get started with similar, if not equal results to the traditional 3-tier system. If you get curious I'm sure people on here that have done both would be happy to tell you their thoughts.

There is a good thread on how to do BIAB if you get curious. You can find it here.

What kits did you like from those sites?

 

[Kirkwooder]

The first question you should be asking your self is "What kind of beer do I like, and want to try and make?"
Tell us that and we can make a few suggestions. It wouldn't help us to recommend am imperial stout, if you don't like or have never tried the style. An IPA might be a bit too hoppy if you have never tried some of the commercial stuff. So, what do you like?

 

[golfgod04]

i like mostly anything but porter/stouts/dark. I've made a few smaller batches before but this will be my first one with the BSG 6.5 gallon kit.

 

[Kirkwooder]

This is a good IPA;

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/recipe-kits/extract-kits/dead-ringer-ipa-extract-kit.html

This is a good easy drinking wheat beer;

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...act-kits/american-wheat-beer-extract-kit.html

And this is an interesting cold weather brew;

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...liday-red-extract-kit-w-specialty-grains.html

All available an Northern Brewer. Check them out and read the descriptions and the reviews. Most of the online kits will come with a pretty good description, but I find that the reviews sometimes ad a little info that the description leaves out.

 

[golfgod04]

thanks a bunch

 

[solbes]

I second NB's Dead Ringer Ale; it makes an IPA thats pretty close to Bells 2 Hearted (especially if you culture up some Bells dregs and slowly ramp ferment from 64 to 68 or so). One of my proudest brews early on. Other fav's of mine from NB are their Patersbier (follow up batch with a Dubbel or Tripel with harvested yeast), St Paul Porter, and Irish Red.

Midwest Supplies has good kits too. Ownership is the same between NB and MS, but their kits are a little different. I was just sent a 10% off all extract kits coupon code (Winterwarmer). If you bought 3 or 4 you would easily pay for free shipping and drop the price a little too.