Hello from Wisconsin

[greg75]

Hi, everyone. I've been considering homebrewing for some time now, and I think I'm finally ready to take the plunge. Finding this site will be very beneficial in the future, I think. I can't believe the amount of knowledgeable people here! I think it will really come in handy.

For starters, I need to buy an equipment kit. I was looking at this package from the nearest homebrew shop in my area (I was considering the deluxe starter kit):

http://www.homebrewmarket.com/

It seems like a good kit to my novice eyes, as it provides for 2 stage fermentation. The only concern I have is that primary fermentation is done in a plastic bucket, which by my understanding is not as ideal as doing both stages in a glass carboy. As such, I found another starter kit at a shop slightly further away from my town (deluxe beer kit for $145):

http://www.wineandhop.com/CatalogBeer/beerKits.shtml

If anyone knows of something better I could find online, I'd be very appreciative, although in most cases, the shipping charges actually become somewhat cost prohibitive, making buying the kit local a more logical choice. Still, I'm always looking...

Anyway, I'm really glad I found this site, and I look forward to meeting all of you in the future. Thanks!

P.S. I've been saving up my Sam Adams empties (this is the beer that really got me considering homebrewing...I used to be a Miller Lite drinker ) for future bottling. Are these adequate? I was told by one of the HBS owners to buy a couple cases of beer with returnable bottles, and not return them. However, it seems to me the Sam Adams bottles would suffice. Please tell me I don't have to buy cases of Miller, because I'd probably just dump the swill down the sink.

 

[Dude]

Welcome to the forum! Another Wisconsinite! :rockin:

You'll be fine fermenting in plastic buckets. Most everyone usually starts out like this. If oyu stick with the hobby, you'll eventually want to upgrade to better bottles or glass carboys. The kit from that homebrew store looks great--just what you'll need to get started! I'd also recommend buying an recipe kit from ther or another online store--and be prepared for the best beer you've ever tasted!

Sam Adams bottles will work fine--in fact most any bottle that isn't a screw off cap will work. Avoid screw tops (like miller lite bottles) because they are thinner and can break easier, and the caps sometimes don't seal.

 

[sause]

We are taking back the brewing world. Welcome to the hobby that get you feeling good. If you can make to milwaukee there are quite a few shops. There is the market basket http://www.brewcitysupplies.com, and the frugal home brewer which there is two posibly three locations http://www.frugalhomebrewer.com and http://www.frugalwestallis.com

Enjoy the hobby.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Woo-hoo! Another Cheesehead! I think we're beginning to take over! Homebrew Market is a good homebrew shop-very helpful staff, decent prices, etc. I go there quite a bit. It sounds like you live pretty close to me (Fond du Lac). Another excellent place is Point Brew Supply in Stevens Point. Check them out too!
:rockin:

http://www.pointbrewsupply.com/

 

[greg75]

I live in Fond du Lac too! I guess I shouldn't be surprised to find so many Wisconsinites on this forum. Anyway, I've been to the store in Appleton, and I found the owner (I think he owned the shop, anyway) to be very helpful. I was going to buy the kit two weeks ago, but they were all out. I think I'm going to buy through them because they are closest, and like I said, they seem like they'd be very helpful if/when I run into problems or questions.

I did look at the website for the supply shop in Stevens Point also, but I don't really feel like driving that far. It does seem like a very nice store, however. Anyway, thanks for the welcome!