New Novice Member in Texas

[Caseydon]

Hi, folks. My profile tells a little about my limited and now long ago brewing experience. I'm looking forward to returning to and learning the art.
In my previous experience I did learn to boil hops but didn't get past use of malt extracts. Now I think I want to start with the All Grain route? Any reason not to?
My first real question: Is there any kit one of you would recommend, or should I make up my own equipment list? I do have a fridge whose temperature I can adjust, a good kitchen and a good thermometer, but not much else. I'm a retired water treatment chemist, a helpful background. My well water is nice -- moderate hardness and alkalinity, no iron, no organics, and no chlorine.
What kind of brew do I want to start? I reckon a blonde ale, nicely hopped but certainly not to APA levels. A commercial beer I like is Shiner Blonde, another is St.Arnold's Lawnmower.

 

[inspector13]

Welcome Caseydon! What part of Texas are you living in?

 

[3 Dog Brew]

Welcome Caseydon! What part of Texas are you living in?

Seconded! There are a few of us Texans on this forum and if you're anywhere near us we'd be happy to help you out. Unless you're a hermit and want to be left alone. Then forget it.

 

[DragonTail]

Welcome

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Welcome. Us Texans are getting ready to take over!

 

[CarsonCE]

Welcome from a fellow Texan! St. Arnold's lawnmower is one of my favorite beers as well. It is a Kolsch style, so you may want to try one of those. Here is a recipe.

 

[brewslut]

Welcom to HBT!

 

[emissary]

Hello from yet another Texan. I also consider myself a novice, especially in the all grain realm. I am a big advocate of brew-in-a-bag, and think you should read about it before you make your own decision. It's a bit simplified, and takes much less equipment. There are also some fairly technical reviews on it, which you may find interesting. Anyway, check it out. Here's a link:
http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4650&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0/fa

 

[Caseydon]

Welcome Caseydon! What part of Texas are you living in?

I'm in Simonton, Texas -- Fort Bend County, about 30 miles west of Houston, 10 miles south of I-10. I live in a rural subdivision, where most of my close, sometimes best, neighbors are horses.

 

[Caseydon]

Seconded! There are a few of us Texans on this forum and if you're anywhere near us we'd be happy to help you out. Unless you're a hermit and want to be left alone. Then forget it.

Glad to hear I'm among so many Texans! I may be a long-time single guy, but I'm not a hermit, and I want all the help I can get. I'll be calling on you. You have my location now -- are you nearby?

 

[Caseydon]

I am a big advocate of brew-in-a-bag, and think you should read about it before you make your own decision.

That sounds real interesting. A technique devised by Aussies and endorsed by a Texan surely deserves attention. I reckon I should start my return to the craft with extracts, but I'm sure I won't be content to stay there. I plan to keep that goal in mind as I acquire equipment.
One hardware element I notice in the BIB reference is the need for an ample sized kettle. I've come across a vendor in the OKC area offering a 7.5 gallon stock pot type kettle for $66. delivered. Does this sound reasonable? His basic equipment kits seem decent and fairly priced, too. The company is Learn to Brew LLC, on the Web at http://www.learntobrew.com/page/1c7j1/Products.html . Do you have any experience with him?

 

[ibbones]

Glad to hear I'm among so many Texans! I may be a long-time single guy, but I'm not a hermit, and I want all the help I can get. I'll be calling on you. You have my location now -- are you nearby?

Not too far. Howdy from Victoria.

 

[3 Dog Brew]

Glad to hear I'm among so many Texans! I may be a long-time single guy, but I'm not a hermit, and I want all the help I can get. I'll be calling on you. You have my location now -- are you nearby?

I'm in Spring, between North Houston and The Woodlands (very close to Precinct 4 courthouse), but I work in the Galleria so I frequent DeFalcos and Brew It Yourself which I both consider to be my LHBS.