Ingredients Question from a first timer

[kenn4000]

Hello all,

I recently purchased the gold complete kit off amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BU7CVM/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_M3T1_ST1_dp_1
Noticed that it does not come with ingredients for a first brewing. I have been looking through a few different sites for ingredient kits and there seems to be a lot of choices.

1) It seems to suggest that for your first few brews, you should go with a kit, but soon afterwards people start to just buy the ingredients separately: is this because its cheaper that way?
2) if i felt so inclined to attempt a brew from scratch and just buy seperate ingredients, what would i need to get? i suppose this depends on the type of beer i want to make, but i figure an IPA is a good place to start so the bitterness can mask any mistakes i might make.
3) where do you people find the best deals on these ingredients? is there a particular site people use to get their hops? the kids all seem to be about 30-50 bucks per brew (which is significantly more expensive than i was hoping for this hobby)
4) i bought a 7.5 gallon pot and a big ass spoon, but is there anything else that this mr gold kit wont have that i should try to purchase before i brew my first batch?

sorry for the barrage of questions, just trying to get informed! thanks in advance!

 

[Captain Damage]

1) It seems to suggest that for your first few brews, you should go with a kit, but soon afterwards people start to just buy the ingredients separately: is this because its cheaper that way?

Not necessarily cheaper, but simpler. Your first few brews you should concentrate on the process, workflow and sanitation. A kit starts you off with a recipe that is already (should be) tried and true. Less of a chance of your beer coming out "off," and if it does, you know it's probably not the recipe.

2) if i felt so inclined to attempt a brew from scratch and just buy seperate ingredients, what would i need to get? i suppose this depends on the type of beer i want to make, but i figure an IPA is a good place to start so the bitterness can mask any mistakes i might make.

(I'll abstain from answering this one since almost every other answer to your OP is likely to include a recipe)

3) where do you people find the best deals on these ingredients? is there a particular site people use to get their hops? the kids all seem to be about 30-50 bucks per brew (which is significantly more expensive than i was hoping for this hobby)

Everybody has their own favorite supply shop or online vendor. I build the same order on a number of online vendors and use the cheapest. That said, I get good prices and service from Rebel Brewer and Farmhouse Brewing Supply.

4) i bought a 7.5 gallon pot and a big ass spoon, but is there anything else that this mr gold kit wont have that i should try to purchase before i brew my first batch?

I recommend Star San no-rinse sanitizer. I use OxyClean Free for general cleaning.