Kits

[afio18]

I have been looking in to brewing my own beer at home. I'm just not sure what kit I should us? I have it down to three kits. What do you guy's think?

http://www.learntobrew.com/store/item/yvpa/_Equipment_Kits/Superior_Brewing_Kit.html


http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-intermediate-kit-w-two-5-gallon-glass-carboys.html

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/marketing-categories/best-sellers/deluxe-beer-starter-kit.html

 

[Riastradh]

I was gonna buy the second one there when I came across those kits. I ended up getting the woodfordes whery bitter micro brewery kit. I did want glass carboys but for now I need to keep things cheap and safe... I'd be so angry if I made a beginner's mistake and the carboys cracked with fermenting pressure. I had a budget of like £100 'cuz i'm just a student, bought the kit then realised I had so much else to buy and the budget has gone over £200 from having to buy a big pot, muslin bag, all my grains and hops, dry extract etc.

I do however have two fermenting bins, like your dual carboy back there.... I really dont need two... when you go into secondary fermentation you can quickly clean your primary and start your second batch - your tap barrel will be all clear by the time that's fermented. Buy two tapped barrels if you're buying two carboys if you dont have other equipment to use.

 

[Toga]

You really don't need the carboys unless you want to bulk age or do secondarys with fruit or such. I would go with the midwest kit that gives you one carboy an ingredient kit, pot, and such. http://www.midwestsupplies.com/everything-a-carboy-complete-brewing-package-equipment-kit-3.html

 

[FirefighterSR2]

You really don't need the carboys unless you want to bulk age or do secondarys with fruit or such. I would go with the midwest kit that gives you one carboy an ingredient kit, pot, and such. http://www.midwestsupplies.com/everything-a-carboy-complete-brewing-package-equipment-kit-3.html

Agreed! This will give you everything you need to start on day one. You can expand at a later time if you become so addicted you surpass your capacity. Good luck!

Regards,

Shawn

 

[bovineblitz]

I got the Northern Brewer kit with the better bottles.

Love it.

 

[afio18]

One of the issues in I have all the bottles I need and would like a bigger pot then 5gal. 7.5 gal.

 

[FirefighterSR2]

I wish I had all the bottles I need

 

[HiGravShawn]

You really don't need the carboys unless you want to bulk age or do secondarys with fruit or such. I would go with the midwest kit that gives you one carboy an ingredient kit, pot, and such. http://www.midwestsupplies.com/everything-a-carboy-complete-brewing-package-equipment-kit-3.html

+1 I didn't buy it all at once, but within three brews this is basically what I ended up with. It's not the absolute minimum you need, but it's everything that makes it fun and easy.

 

[Justibone]

I use a wine kit. It has everything you need for extract brewing except a capper.

 

[snevey]

To save time and scrouging around, you may want to buy a kit with a case of bottles. Two cases would be good, and then by two 6's of microbrew for the other couple bottles. I remember a while back I bought my father in law a case of 16 - 16oz bottles of Old Mil for like $16 or so. Hey, it's an option, and they were pop top bottles...

 

[SoonerDoc]

One of the issues in I have all the bottles I need and would like a bigger pot then 5gal. 7.5 gal.

Then buy this and get a larger pot and your own kit.

I bought the "everything and a carboy" kit and was very pleased.

 

[Toga]

I wish I had all the bottles I need

FireFighterSR2 I'm not sure where you are in the metro area but I have found if you go to your favorite local party store that actually sells a decent amount of craft brews and explain you home brew and need returnables to bottle with most are more than willing to give me bottles for the deposit money they paid out and perhaps the occasional sample or two of my brew. I have managed to pick up all of my glass bottles this way. I picked up 7 more cases last week for $16.80 + 2 belgians for the store owner to sample Some oxy clean and some eblow grease and I have bottles that are good as new. This beats the $14.99 per case price at the LHBS :rockin:

 

[afio18]

Thank you all you your ideas.