So I am deciding between 3 kits...

[trizzant]

Hi, I am new here, here is my introduction: link

I am currently deciding between 3 kits. Here they are...

1. Cooper's Kit http://makebeer.net/item.asp?idProduct=1&idCategory=1&idSubCategory=0

2. Brewer's Best http://shop.hopsandtannins.com/BREWERS-BEST-EQUIPMENT-KIT-1000.htm

3. Brewer's Connection http://www.brewersconnection.com/catalog/firstbrew.htm

I really like the first one because it comes with 24oz bottles with screw on caps. After watching craigtube I really liked the large plastic bottle approach to bottling with the individual priming sugars. The Cooper's Kit seems the best for me to start with.

The other two are local to me and I could pick one up today rather than ordering it online. What do you think? Is there another kit I should consider that I would be happier with. I need something I can learn on but not be stuck with a toy. Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[BendBrewer]

That Coppers kit looks like a toy to me. If it were me, I would get the one from Brewer's Connection.

 

[flabyboy]

I would go to Northern Brewer or Austin Homebrew Supply websites before you decide on anything. They have a have good variety of kits and good reputations.

northernbrewer.com

 

[NavySur4]

I bought the Coopers kit because it came with everything (plus Craig made it look so easy). The good thing is the bottles are reusable and easy to cap. The fermentor is well made, marked with volume, really big so blow off has not been a problem, and the large opening means you don't have to mess with a funnel. I also like being able to see through the screw on lid.

The drawback is the carb drops are expensive so a kit that comes with an extra bottling bucket will save you money in the long run.


I'm happy with the Cooper's kit but any kit will allow you to brew - and that's the important part.

 

[mattd2]

That Coppers kit looks like a toy to me. If it were me, I would get the one from Brewer's Connection.

+1, I started with a "kit" simular to this an really all you are getting is a 30 litre (?) barrel. Saying that their kit&kilo no boil kits kept me happy for about a year until I found HBT and "real" brewing with boiling and stuff. The only plus I see with the cooper's kit is you get 30x 750ml bottles (?), but I got pretty tired of having to drink almonst a litre of beer every time I wanted a glass
Go with a kit that requires you to also buy a pot (unless it is in the kit already) and you will not look back!

 

[JonK331]

Of those three, I would go with the brewers connection kit. This is a more complete one though: http://morebeer.com/view_product/15911/102142/Personal_Home_Brewery_#3_-_Bottling_Deluxe

you are going to have to buy the extra stuff anyway.

 

[mfraier]

Austin homebrew supply has a ahuge number of very good kits....I think you are better off looking at some of those before you buy.

 

[balzern]

I would go to Northern Brewer or Austin Homebrew Supply websites before you decide on anything. They have a have good variety of kits and good reputations.

northernbrewer.com

+1

I have brewed 2 NB kits so far - American Cream Ale and Spiced Winter Ale and WOW. They are serendipitously wonderful. Really, they taste pretty awesome. I got about 50 or 51 bottles per batch and their selection is amazing. I buy all my stuff from NB now and I'm super happy with everything!

 

[trizzant]

Thanks for all the input!! I think I will be purchasing the kit from the Brewer's Connection. It looks most like the other ones you recommended and there is no shipping charge since I can pick it up locally. I really like the Northern Brewer website, thanks!! On the kit I'm thinking of a carboy instead of a fermenting bucket. Would you suggest doing that?

Of those three, I would go with the brewers connection kit. This is a more complete one though: http://morebeer.com/view_product/15911/102142/Personal_Home_Brewery_#3_-_Bottling_Deluxe

you are going to have to buy the extra stuff anyway.

I would probably get this one but they are on backorder

 

[azfalcon]

im in Phoenix as well. I got my deluxe kit from Brewyourownbrew on Guadalupe. There is also Arizona Home brew in tempe south of McClintock if you wanna go local

 

[balzern]

I would go 1 bucket and 1 carboy. Then if you want to do a secondary in your earlier recipes you can do so. My first kit came with both bucket and carboy and within 4 months I bought 2 more carboys Anyway, the point is that you will probably end up buying a ton more stuff so don't worry too much about bucket vs. carboy. You can get by with either one, I would go get one off each IMO but its up to you my friend.