My Kit

[Pickettj]

Here's the kit I just pulled the trigger on: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-intermediate-plus-kit.html

And before you tell me how crazy I am for going so big, so early, know I had a reason. A good friend and I are both starting out at the same time. This kit will give us the opportunity to ferment three different batches at the same time. I will start with one in mine and he will start with one in his but the third will give me the option to try a second type right off the bat. I got the Amber Ale for my recipe kit that comes with the brew kit. I had the bourbon kit in my cart but realized I may have been overreaching a bit.

This time next week I will have one in the fermenter and that, my friends, is exciting!

 

[masterfool101]

I don't think it's crazy at all. Looks like fun to me . That being said, I recommend looking for further supplies at your LHBS. You might pay a few bucks more for the supplies, but you'll save a ton on shipping. Happy Brewing!!

 

[45_70sharps]

Well it looks like a good kit.
Order some starsan. I don't know why but none of the kits come with sanitizer.
I also didn't see a thermometer other than the stick on ones for the fermenting containers.
You will want to pick one up.
I have two handy when I brew and compare readings.

Enjoy.

 

[Pickettj]

I don't think it's crazy at all. Looks like fun to me . That being said, I recommend looking for further supplies at your LHBS. You might pay a few bucks more for the supplies, but you'll save a ton on shipping. Happy Brewing!!

I wish I had a LHBS! The closest I've got is over an hour drive and they are priced miles above what I just paid. The kit I just got was $250 with shipping and the local store was $80 just for a similar sized kettle PLUS almost 100 miles of driving round trip. We are heading that way tomorrow so I might pick up a recipe kit from them but my brew kit will be a midwest supplies kit hands down. Bottles, fermenter, carboys, oh my! The local shop wanted $75 just for the bucket ferm., bottling bucket, maybe an auto siphon and some cleaning supplies. RIP.

 

[45_70sharps]

I drive nearly two hours to my "local" brew store. I still buy a lot of my stuff there.

I do order a bit of my stuff online also.

 

[Pickettj]

Well it looks like a good kit.
Order some starsan. I don't know why but none of the kits come with sanitizer.
I also didn't see a thermometer other than the stick on ones for the fermenting containers.
You will want to pick one up.
I have two handy when I brew and compare readings.

Enjoy.

Copy that. I didn't even notice that it doesn't have starsan...I'll pick some up on my trip tomorrow. I'll pay a premium but I'll do what I can, short of overpaying 50%, to help the little guy! My local shop (local, 1:05 away) is greatfermentations.com, let me know what you think. Is it a good shop? Should I stick with online ordering? The other good friend that got myself and another friend into this hasn't ever been. He's been cooking beer with Mr. Brew kits and it has been amazing! He learned how to add his own touches (coffee, chocolate, etc.) and is now thinking about upgrading since we are going to be 2.5X larger than him! Damned French anyways! Ha!

Regardless of when the kit comes in, Wednesday is my earliest brew date. Hopefully it's the day. I'll be using a grill or a turkey fryer. I think the fryer would work best. Either way, my indoor options are an electric stove and a candle...

 

[Pickettj]

I should clarify....the burner from a turkey fryer...

 

[45_70sharps]

Their starsan is reasonable. Don't let them tell you that the no rinse cleaner is a sanitizer. I've heard it called that quite a bit (even in brew stores). If it doesn't say Sanitizer on the label, that's not what it is.

Remember, there are several benefits to supporting the brew store.

You get to talk to someone.
There should be knowledgeable people there that are going to help you.

You can also get stuff when you make it to town rather than having to order everything.
With a brew store around, you should have more homebrewers in your area.

 

[masterfool101]

I should clarify....the burner from a turkey fryer...

I use a Turkey fryer for my brewing ... Works like a charm. In fact, I use the aluminum pot as well ... 7.5 gallons. The trick is, you can't use the pot for anything EXCEPT brewing ... Unlike stainless steel, the aluminum is slightly "porous," and will hold flavors and oils from other foods. also, its a bit finnicky to keep the corrosion off of it. still, it works great. Honestly, the $40 I spent on the fryer w/ kettle is one of the best investments I've ever had. Allows me to brew a full batch at 6.5 gallons, at less than the cost of a 5 gallon stainless pot alone.

Also, getting sanitizer is a must. As was stated, DO NOT let them sell you a no rinse cleanser as a sanitizer. Personally, I'm a fan of iodophor, though starsan seems to be a more common sanitizer. Both work well.

Other things you MIGHT want to pick up (I like to keep them around, but they're not necessary):
- spare nylon boiling bags (large for steeping grains, small for the hops pellets. Boiling the pellets in a bag will make it less likely that you need to filter your wort into your fermenter. Nylon bags can be reused numerous times, and should only cost a few bucks each.
- long handle plastic (poly) stirring paddle. Beats a wooden spoon every day. Something 18-24 inches should work for your pot size, but 36 inches won't hurt!!
- wine thief. You need to be able to pull samples to measure the gravity. I like the break apart plastic kind - easy to clean.
- sample cylinder. A 10 inch plastic variety works well with the hydrometer that Midwest includes in their kit. Only costs a few bucks.
- a logbook to keep notes on what you brewed (ingredients, methods, gravity readings, flavor notes, etc). Makes figuring out what went wrong easy. Also, if you liked the results, makes it easier to duplicate them!!

Once you're through your first few kits, come back, and we'll talk other supplies. Actually, come back before then .... We want to know how these beers turned out.

 

[Pickettj]

I use a Turkey fryer for my brewing ... Works like a charm. In fact, I use the aluminum pot as well ... 7.5 gallons. The trick is, you can't use the pot for anything EXCEPT brewing ... Unlike stainless steel, the aluminum is slightly "porous," and will hold flavors and oils from other foods. also, its a bit finnicky to keep the corrosion off of it. still, it works great. Honestly, the $40 I spent on the fryer w/ kettle is one of the best investments I've ever had. Allows me to brew a full batch at 6.5 gallons, at less than the cost of a 5 gallon stainless pot alone.

Also, getting sanitizer is a must. As was stated, DO NOT let them sell you a no rinse cleanser as a sanitizer. Personally, I'm a fan of iodophor, though starsan seems to be a more common sanitizer. Both work well.

Other things you MIGHT want to pick up (I like to keep them around, but they're not necessary):
- spare nylon boiling bags (large for steeping grains, small for the hops pellets. Boiling the pellets in a bag will make it less likely that you need to filter your wort into your fermenter. Nylon bags can be reused numerous times, and should only cost a few bucks each.
- long handle plastic (poly) stirring paddle. Beats a wooden spoon every day. Something 18-24 inches should work for your pot size, but 36 inches won't hurt!!
- wine thief. You need to be able to pull samples to measure the gravity. I like the break apart plastic kind - easy to clean.
- sample cylinder. A 10 inch plastic variety works well with the hydrometer that Midwest includes in their kit. Only costs a few bucks.
- a logbook to keep notes on what you brewed (ingredients, methods, gravity readings, flavor notes, etc). Makes figuring out what went wrong easy. Also, if you liked the results, makes it easier to duplicate them!!

Once you're through your first few kits, come back, and we'll talk other supplies. Actually, come back before then .... We want to know how these beers turned out.

Thanks! I rarely regret joining a forum and paying the premium fee up front and this forum is no different. Tons of information and very helpful. I'm sure I'll be updating everyone as I brew, ferment, prime and repeat. After two or three kits, I'll probably be in the mood to raise the stakes. I'll be carrying this list in to the brew store today if I make it there!