Hi everyone!!!!

[rob250]

Hi everyone, I just signed up to this site a week ago. My best friend and I are interested in making our own beer, but don’t know where to start! We both discussed it that it would be better for you guys/gals to lead us in the correct direction. We both have been reading and we don’t have a clue where to start! Do we start with a starter-kit , and if so what kind?

 

[Walker]

www.howtobrew.com

everything you need to know to get started can be found there.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Read the Bible. No, not the one with the fancy words and red print. Charlie Papazian gives you a bunch of great info in three sections from beginner to advanced brewing...and it's an easy, fun read. It won't take long to figure out the mantra, RDWHAHB.

Welcome to brewing!

 

[Biermann]

I completely agree with Yuri. .. .read Papazians book. You can pick it up for about 15 bucks at your local Barnes and Noble or Border's. I recommend starting simple, such as an extract brew, then work up to extract with steeped grains, then partial mash, then all grain. I recommend starting with a kit, and follow the directions very exactly. As you progress up the ladder, you will learn why you do certain steps, why you use certain techniques, etc. Also, if you are new, starting with extract will allow you to use common kitchen equipment, and will enable you to start with minimal investment. Word of warning, though. . .once you get a good batch, you will be hooked, and you will be spending inordinate amounts of money on brewing equipment.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask for any other specific questions.

 

[rob250]

HowToBrew.com = beer making for dummies! Thanks walker. Can you guys also help me choose the right equipment for the job? All my questions were answered except on choose equipment.

 

[Biermann]

HowToBrew.com = beer making for dummies! Thanks walker. Can you guys also help me choose the right equipment for the job? All my questions were answered except on choose equipment.

Depends on how you want to start and where you vision this hobby going as to what equipment you will need.

 

[rob250]

Just want to start out easy for now, and see where it geos!

 

[Biermann]

I'd recommend a good stock pot. If you can get it drilled for a faucet, so much the better. If you have a faucet, get a bazooka screen to filter hops and trub. You will also need a fermenting vessel (I like the good old glass carboy or better bottle with an airlock of some sort). Get a grain bag to steep grains in, get a thermometer, a bottling bucket, capper, bottles, caps. That should get you ready for an extract kit or extract/steeped grains beer. Start with an ale. Start with a beer style that is forgiving (darker beers tend to be more forgiving, and ales are much easier as they ferment at room temperature).

 

[rob250]

so you don't recommand any starter kits???? If so from where?

 

[jar]

so you don't recommand any starter kits???? If so from where?

Do you have a local homebrew store within a reasonable drive? If so, I recommend getting a starter kit from them. We can answer questions here, but it's nice to have someone in person guide you through what to buy and the process of your first batch. Also, if you shop there, they'll be happy to answer questions over the phone.

 

[TheJadedDog]

As a new brewer myself I would strongly recommend getting a starter kit and then adding additional items as you progress in the hobby. I would also second the thought about going to a lhbs, I did a lot of reading and it was helpful, but my local guy was really able to walk me through the process and pick out the right equipment.