First Home brew Kit

[wildhockey19]

Hello All,

I am new to the forum, so excuse me if this question gets ask regularly or is contained in FAQ section.

I was just wondering if there was a "golden standard" when it comes to home brew kits. My brewing experience is about as limited as brewing a cup of coffee, so the more through the kit the better.

Again, thanks in advance for the advice, and I look forward to contributing to the boards in the near future.

Matt

 

[HoppyMaltPoet]

Beginner kit essentials:
1) brew pot 4 -5 gallon for extract (I am assuming you want to start off with extract brews)
2) A primary fermenter (Food grade plastic bucket, carboy, etc.)
3) Airlock or blow-off tube
4) Something to drink your beer out of...bottles
5) Caps for bottles
6) Capper to cap the bottles
7) Siphon
9) Hydrometer
8) Ingredients for your first batch. (you can get an ingredient kit for this)

This is the one I started out with. The only thing I needed was a boil pot.
http://www.amazon.com/Homebrew-Brew-American-Home-Ingredient/dp/B003SSBXF2

I kind of like this kit better. It comes with an 8 gallon pot (which may or may not be too big for you), and a wort chiller so you can skip the ice baths.
http://www.williamsbrewing.com/COMPLETE_BREWERY_WITHOUT_A_KIT_P2355C257.cfm

The kits don't come with the bottles though...they need to be purchased separately too.

 

[wildhockey19]

Thanks for the advice!!!

 

[70ls1nova]

I went with the intermediate kit from Midwest Supplies. http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-intermediate-kit-with-two-5-gallon-better-bottle-carboys.html
It had everything i needed to get started. I also bought their brown ale kit and it has been my best beer to date.

 

[Gridlocked]

Hey Matt,
I'm just west of you in Chaska. I started with this kit from Midwest (which is just off of Excelsior Blvd in Mlps) http://www.midwestsupplies.com/everything-complete-brewing-package-equipment-kit.html The people at Midwest are awesome and were a HUGE help to me when I was starting out.

My cousin just started as well and I put together a word file of some "extras".
PM me with your E-mail address and I'll send you what I sent him - and we can chat further if you have other questions.

-Ted

 

[Hartski]

Dang, looks like my Brewer's best startup kit wasn't such a good deal after all.

 

[HoppyMaltPoet]

Hey Matt,
I'm just west of you in Chaska. I started with this kit from Midwest (which is just off of Excelsior Blvd in Mlps) http://www.midwestsupplies.com/everything-complete-brewing-package-equipment-kit.html The people at Midwest are awesome and were a HUGE help to me when I was starting out.

My cousin just started as well and I put together a word file of some "extras".
PM me with your E-mail address and I'll send you what I sent him - and we can chat further if you have other questions.

-Ted

This kit looks pretty good for a beginner kit. I think this is the route I would go.