First Batch Question for Extract Kit

[Morrey]

Newbie here so please understand my novice questions...

I have all my equipment assembled and will be kegging my beer in lieu of bottling. Kegerator is all set up, ball lock keg, ball lock connections in place, etc.

Now I need to get brewing ingredients and I think an extract kit will be in order. I like Bass Ale so I'll be looking for a kit that will produce a somewhat similar beer with similar profiles. Can anyone suggest a source that offers good, fresh products at good prices? I often hear that yeast can be out of date so watch for that in kits.

Will my yeast be in the liquid form or a dry pack?

Will I be sparging grains in mesh bags or do most extract kits steer away from that?

Please remember this is my first attempt and any guidance is MUCH appreciated.

 

[Rolsom]

Just do a search on extract brewing kits, there are plenty to examine.
I have placed orders with a few different vendors and have never received outdated supplies. Local homebrew stores are also a great resource for kits and supplies.

you will usually have a choice of yeasts during the ordering process.

Not all extract kits come with specialty grains. Every kit will have directions, and every different supplier I have tried has little differences on how to handle the specialty grains.
After steeping my grains, I use a mesh strainer to let the liquid drain from the bag sometimes if the feeling strikes, I'll run a little 155°F water over the bag, I then toss the grain bag into a plastic shopping bag before I put it in the trash (just a little extra protection from the liquid draining through). I have not seen a kit direction that had suggested sparging.

I used to enjoy Bass and Harp. After 10 months of homebrew, I prefer something with a little more flavor. I would suggest a brown ale.

 

[Sailingeric]

Check out Northern Brewers web site. They sell a lot of kits so the product should be fresh and they have good instructions included

 

[Stillraining]

With all that gear you have assembled already, Id forgo extract and go all grain right from the get go ( Cooler with a bazooka screen is all your missing...or go complete all grain brew in bag , but I still recommend a cooler mash tun even for that.)...its almost as easy and way more fun and lots more options. Just MO............but nothing wrong with extract.

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[ncbrewer]

For your first brew (and after that if you like it), you could try one of the Williams Brewing recipe kits. They supply a blended malt extract that has the specialty grains built in, so there's no steeping of specialty grains necessary. I haven't used one of these kits, but I have used their blended extracts. I thought they were very good.