Homebrew Kits

[Nurse]

Hello!

My husband has always wanted a Beer-making kit and this is the year. Neither of us have ever done any home-brewing, but I can see it becoming a favorite hobby for us both.

I've done some research and read the thread you have on the Mr. Beer kits, but I noticed that while many of you started out using it, it wasn't long before you moved on to bigger and better equipment.

I'm looking for a kit that is great for beginners but can also grow with us as we learn more about home-brewing. Basically I don't want to spend a lot of money on something we're going to outgrow in 6 months.

Are there any beginner's brewing kits out there in which at least some of the equipment can be used or modified for something more advanced than the pre-made beer recipes? Do any of you have any experience with a kit like this, or should I just bite the bullet and get a Mr. Beer?

Thanks, looking forward to brewing our first batch,

Nurse

 

[greeneyed]

You can buy basic equipment kits that will give you most everything to brew your first batch for under $100 easily. I am on mobile right now, so can't look up links. Not sure where you are, but hopefully there is a brew store around. I would suggest buying him a kit. And then the two of you can go pick out a recipe.

 

[david_42]

This is a good starting point: Basic kit or something similar. The main item lacking in any of the standard kits is the pot for boiling the wort. Many of us buy a propane turkey fryer with a 30-40 qt. pot. Others start out with 15-20 qt pots and work on their stoves.

Nothing in this kit is a tosser, you'll be able to continue using everything for years.

 

[PT Ray]

Coopers has a beginners kit that seems pretty good. Here is a link: Coopers

The only additional item might be another can of malt extract. This is a substitute for the kilo (I think it's a kilo) of sugar included with the kit. You can always stick with the sugar, it will give a lighter body that more closely resembles the main stream lagers. The extract will give it a fuller body like the craft brews.

 

[Marko73]

All of the major online retailers have beginners kits with different upgrades. At most of your homebrew stores, I think they will have the Brewers Best starter kit or the True Brew Maestro kit. Those will be your basic 2 bucket systems with all the accessories needed for your first few batches.

I would definitely go with one of these kits. You can do a wide range of ingredient kits with these and make great beer for a long time. Even though you will eventually want to add equipment, these starter kits provide I think the best start.

Online, many retailers with throw an ingredient kit in along with you starter set.

Good luck!

 

[MurderMittenBrewing]

Costco has a pretty nice beginners kit. It comes with ingredients for a batch of beer, too.

You might also check CraigsList. I get most of my equipment there and it tends to be reasonably priced.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[Doc Robinson]

I need a price range and I'll hook you up...send me a PM or post the range in the thread. Trust me, I'm an attorney & a CPA.

 

[Wade E]

You will need a pot to go with just about any package but heres a decent place to start, it comes with a god beer kit too.
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDetBeerKits.asp?PartNumber=2002

 

[Tiako]

I know it seems like a stupid thing to say but if you guys think you will like doing this. Just go all out on it. Get a carboy glass or plastic and a big Pot.. Then just buy kegging supplies and a fermenter. Without those things I felt like home brewing was sort of a drag.

I say this because if you order it from the websites mentioned on here and skip trying to bottle you will save a ton of money. With the money saved you can put that toward the kegging system. Instead of doing what I did.. Buy everything.. Bottle 3 times and get rid of the equipment after that.

 

[Mike35673]

That Costco kit is by far the best deal I have ever seen for a starter kit.

 

[Pappers_]

Hi Nurse and welcome.

FWIW, I'd prefer to buy supplies at either a local homebrew store or a well-respected online vendor who specializes in homebrew and participates in the homebrew community here, rather than a big box store. An example would be Forrest at Austin Homebrew Supply.

You can find equipment kits here: http://www.austinhomebrew.com/index.php?cPath=178_33_52

You can find ingredient kits for your first batch here: http://www.austinhomebrew.com/index.php?cPath=178_452 Make sure you choose an "extract" version of the kit, and select a dry yeast. If you have any questions, you can just call or email Forrest.

As for the kegging suggestion above, I don't know, if you're really interested in that, I suppose. But its more complicated than bottling and many of us enjoy bottling.

Good luck and welcome to this hobby!

 

[Wade E]

Kegging is awesome but not for most beginners as it really requires its own fridge. Another option besides bottling and kegging is the Tap a Draft system. Almost all Home brew places sell this set up and I just bought 1 for a friend for Christmas but gave it to him early as he had a brew ready to bottle. He just got the first bottle in and called me and said he loves it to death. You can have beer on tap and not need another fridge or have to bottle. It will save you on buying bottles, a Bottle tree and much much time.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/tap-draft-first-impression-60237/
http://morebeer.com/view_product/18291/102300/Tap-A-Draft_Homebrew_Setup