Purchase question

[ArroganceFan]

Hey all,

I am currently in the research portion of my brewing career, partly because the wife and I are moving to our new home in mid june and partly because we are trying to save money.

Just wondering about the initial equipment purchase. Is it cheaper to buy one of those kits that different companies offer or just go to home depot, or where ever, and buy the items seperatly? What kind of initial cost am I looking at?

Thanks in advance.

 

[chillHayze]

A beginner kit is the best way to get into the hobby. You get all new stuff and it is WHAT YOU NEED. No guessing and ending up with the wrong equipment. This is a great kit to start with IMHO:
http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_33_52&products_id=400

After that all you need is an ingredient kit and a stockpot. Oh, and don't forget water!

 

[brewawan]

ArroganceFan,

I have to second the selection made previous. I, fortunately, lived in Austin until 3 mos ago and was able to go to AHB to see for myself. If you go to Beer, Beer, and More Beer or Austin HomeBrew you cannot go wrong. I recommend planning on spending around $100 for your initial purchase. Plus you'll need to buy ingredients which runs you around $30-$40. Check out these sites, make your purchase, and you will be happy, guaranteed.:cross:

Cheers

 

[ArroganceFan]

Thanks for the info, I think I am going to go with the AHB starter kit. It seems pretty reasonable and comes with the glass carboy, which I was wanting. The other kits that I saw had two plastic buckets.

I am starting to get excited!

 

[EdWort]

Good choice. Welcome to the club, The Home Brew Talk Club!

 

[Professor Frink]

Be careful, pretty soon you'll end up spending all day Sunday doing 2 separate brews , and love every minute of it

 

[homebrewer_99]

Forget HD. Most people who go there for HB equipment are ******! (I have no idea what I typed other than asteriks...I was just having fun...!)...OK, they are cheap a$$es who are ultimately wasting $$$...

I agree with the others comments, but if you are going to invest $$$ for your equpment be sure to "go for broke". Meaning, get the best and largest kit they offer. Reason: It'll be more than you need, but not as much as you'll want... Your brewing knowledge will grow with your equipment.

 

[Beerrific]

A beginner kit is the best way to get into the hobby. You get all new stuff and it is WHAT YOU NEED. No guessing and ending up with the wrong equipment. This is a great kit to start with IMHO:
http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_33_52&products_id=400

After that all you need is an ingredient kit and a stockpot. Oh, and don't forget water!

Excellent kit. I just pieced mine stuff together (not from Home Depot). After one brew I would say "Wow, it would have been easier to do this if they made something that..." and then I would research it a realized they did and it cost $5. Wish I had bought it all at once.

BTW, AHS is $5.99 flat shipping, I'd say go ahead and buy a recipe kit to start off with. I would suggest any dark English ale, essentially free shipping if you buy it with the beginner kit.

Also, buy a good book. Great to have something to reference.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Oh please.

The following things can be picked up at Home Depot free of guilt:

Vinyl tubing, anything made of stainless steel, brass, or copper (washers, manifold tubing for All Grain brewers, ball valves, steel braids, sanitizing/bottling buckets, coolers, beef jerky).

But I agree, for the first kit, go with a true "kit". It'll cut down your frustration level significantly.

 

[Beerrific]

I agree, Home Depot is great for DIY projects, far superior to buying the *same* thing online for $$$.

But, there is nothing at Home Depot that belongs in a beginners kit, except tubbing which is so cheap that even after the homebrew store's mark-up it is practically pennies.

 

[homebrewer_99]

I agree, Home Depot is great for DIY projects, far superior to buying the *same* thing online for $$$.

But, there is nothing at Home Depot that belongs in a beginners kit, except tubbing which is so cheap that even after the homebrew store's mark-up it is practically pennies.

THANK YOU!!!

 

[ArroganceFan]

What do you guys think about this kit?

http://www.winemakersshop.com/kit.php

It is from a place that is pretty local for me, so its a good location, and its a little cheaper then the ABH kit.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

What do you guys think about this kit?

http://www.winemakersshop.com/kit.php

It is from a place that is pretty local for me, so its a good location, and its a little cheaper then the ABH kit.

That doesn't look like a bad deal, but I think that the kit from Midwest might be a bit more bang for the buck:

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=6874

I'm been to the winemaker's shop a few times and their prices are a bit high. It's cheaper for me to order from austinhomebrew.com with $5.99 flat shipping than it is for me to drive 40 minutes to the winemaker's shop.

Just my $.02

 

[ArroganceFan]

Ohhh, thats a good lookin kit. After the shipping costs, its about the same price as the AHB kit. Which to choose....

 

[Beerrific]

Ohhh, thats a good lookin kit. After the shipping costs, its about the same price as the AHB kit. Which to choose....

You should ask both if they would sub a better bottle over the glass carboy. Buy from whoever says yes. AHS sells the 5 gallon BB for the same price as the glass plus it would cut down on their shipping cost, a lot.

 

[ArroganceFan]

You should ask both if they would sub a better bottle over the glass carboy. Buy from whoever says yes. AHS sells the 5 gallon BB for the same price as the glass plus it would cut down on their shipping cost, a lot.

I was under the impression that the glass was perfered for better taste. Am I wrong on that?

 

[chillHayze]

I was under the impression that the glass was perfered for better taste. Am I wrong on that?

Glass is prefered by purists due to O2 permeability, odor absorption resistance, and scratch-resistance (bacteria live in scratches). But, they are heavy, akward, and can be dangerous if mishandled like anything else.

However many use buckets for the complete process. I myself use PET "Better Bottle" (that's a brand name). Made specifically for brewing. Maybe it's a rip, maybe not. They are super light and I don't notice any oxidation but the most I have in a secondary tank is a month...

I use buckets, glass, and better bottles. Just try what makes sence to you!

Brew on!!!!

 

[McKBrew]

I bought my starter kit from Northern Brewer (The Deluxe one on this page)

http://www.northernbrewer.com/starterkits.html

If you want, they will substitute the better bottles instead of the glass, I don't think they charged much extra. Just e-mail them with any questions and they will help you out, if you decide to order from them.

 

[Beerrific]

I was under the impression that the glass was perfered for better taste. Am I wrong on that?

I would not deal with the glass. Some purist may argue that glass is better but there is no proof. Betterbottle claims they are better than glass. www.better-bottle.com

 

[Cheesefood]

I prefer buckets. They're easy to clean, easy to carry, and cheap. Out of all the brews I've made, I've yet to notice any difference between plastic and glass. Plus, with plastic you get a light shield. I'm not alone here, I know that others prefer buckets too. It's just so nice to be able to take a soft sponge and wipe the sides clean.

 

[MashStirBrew]

II would go with Midwest’s Better bottle kit, but that’s me. There are lots of discussions about the difference between glass and better bottles on this site if you are considering them. Just do your research until you can't resist the urge any more, and buy what you like. They all make good beer. If you end up with a carboy, use the box it comes in as a cover. Cut a hole for the airlock and you’re done.
If you’re looking to save money, good luck! This hobby is an addiction, before you know it you will be telling yourself, hmmm for only 200$ I can be kegging or that brew pot for doing full boils is something I can not live without. Then you start avoiding the wife for fear that she caught the UPS man before you did. But, when you crack open your first bottle it will all be worth it.

Happy Brewing!

 

[ArroganceFan]

II would go with Midwest’s Better bottle kit, but that’s me. There are lots of discussions about the difference between glass and better bottles on this site if you are considering them. Just do your research until you can't resist the urge any more, and buy what you like. They all make good beer. If you end up with a carboy, use the box it comes in as a cover. Cut a hole for the airlock and you’re done.
If you’re looking to save money, good luck! This hobby is an addiction, before you know it you will be telling yourself, hmmm for only 200$ I can be kegging or that brew pot for doing full boils is something I can not live without. Then you start avoiding the wife for fear that she caught the UPS man before you did. But, when you crack open your first bottle it will all be worth it.

Happy Brewing!

SWMBO is actually kind of excited as well. I got her hooked on good beer and she is excited to try some home brew. I also showed her how much money we will save by brewing and she liked that. For instance one batch of Rogue dead guy from AHB costs around $30 and makes about 50 12oz bottles. For that many in the store is roughly $70. She liked those numbers

I was kinda leaning towards the midwestern because it comes with the cleaning brushes and a dvd as well. I will see what other opinions are out there.

I will also have to look into glass again and compare them with better bottles this time...

 

[grampska]

I have a supportive SWMBO as well. She was skeptical at first and was expecting my beer to taste like crap, but one sip won her over.

Definitely go with a kit. You may need/want more stuff, but you won't get anything that you won't use.