Looking for a good home brew kit

[Google]

Any recommendations on a good brew kit? This is my first time brewing, but I expect to be doing it for a while, so I want equipment that will last. This is one of the kits I'm considering:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002BU7CVM/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I'm concerned that the plastic fermenter will not be as good as a glass carboy.

I found a more expensive kit, where both the fermenter and secondary are glass, but it has a lot of extra parts that I'm not sure are necessary. Would you recommend getting a Bottling Bucket? Auto-Siphon Pump? Racking Cane? Vinyl Tubing? Triple Scale Hydrometer?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E5ZJ2A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Also, where can I get the hops, malt extract and yeast? Will I have to order that online? Any recommendations for a good first recipe?

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[RM-MN]

Take a peek at the kits listed here: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/homebrewing-equipment/equipment-kits/compare-all-kits.html

I started with the most basic kit and bought a Brewers Best ingredient pack and was making beer. You can add anything else you want as a later purchase or you can start with a more complete kit now if you wish. Many of us have debated/are debating the difference between glass and plastic without a real consensus. I prefer to not deal with glass but if that is what you want, don't let me stand in your way.

 

[RM-MN]

I'm a little more than a year into the brewing and yes, you really do need a bottling bucket, a racking cane, vinyl tubing, hydrometer, and perhaps an autosiphon pump although I went for a year before I got the pump. Get a bottle filler too if there isn't one in the kit.

 

[hevnsnt]

If I had it to do all over again, I would choose either this (http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-starter-kit-w-better-bottle.html) or the one without the carboy. I am still not convinced you need a carboy in beer making anymore

 

[Daybis]

I would recommend the Brewing Basic or the Brewing Starter kit from midwest supplies like RM-MN suggested.

 

[hevnsnt]

oops, I meant "for starting out" in beer making anymore. When you want to move on to Lagers etc.. then buy a better bottle

 

[Pappers_]

You could try visiting this homebrew store in Brooklyn. http://www.brooklyn-homebrew.com/Brooklyn_Homebrew/Home.html

 

[NorthRiverS]

Goog,

Check out these kits. I've been using mine for over a year. No problems. I love NOT needing to siphon. Everything is all gravity flow. Sweet...

NRS

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/HOME_BREWERY_WITHOUT_KIT_P680C73.cfm