Starting with the basics: New Brewer

[shad623]

I just ordered The Complete Joy of Homebrewing: Third Edition, and am eagerly awaiting its arrival. I have decided that I want to try my hand at homebrewing and was wondering what everyone would recommend as equipment to start. I figured I'd start with some sort of Lager or Pale Ale. I know a little about the process but not enough to get click happy on amazon and end up with a whole bunch of stuff I have no clue how to use.

So, my question to you is, what would be the best (preferably cheapest) way to start? Various equipment, types of hops, barley etc... where to order from, recipes to start with, you get the picture.

 

[boydster]

Nice! You're going to have fun with this hobby.

To get started, you should probably look into an equipment kit like this one from Northern Brewer along with a brew kettle, some bottles, a thermometer, and a hydrometer.

Next thing you should do is buy a recipe kit. You get everything you need to make a tested-and-approved beer packaged in a box. Again, Northern Brewer has a lot to offer, see here. There are lots of other online resources for brewing equipment/ingredients, or you may have a place locally that offers similar items.

For your first beer, don't get overwhelmed with all of the things you see on websites like this. Your focus should be on sanitation, pitching the right amount of yeast, fermentation temperature control, and patience. Nail those and you'll have a mighty tasty beverage as a reward.

 

[Shred]

I have a list of essential and non-essential but helpful equipment in my blog at www.shredshomebrews.com

 

[unionrdr]

Or this one from Midwest supplies; http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-basics-equipment-kit-2.html
As you scroll down the page,you see options for beer kits,cleaning/bottle tree kits,bottles,etc.

 

[Clonefan94]

Can't argue with what others have said here. You did mention wanting to do a lager though, and I wouldn't do that right off the bat. A proper lager takes highly controlled fermentation temps as well as extended time actually lagering at colder temps. This usually requires extra equipment that you wouldn't need with an Ale. So, get a couple of brews under your belt and during that time you can research more into doing a lager.

 

[BigFloyd]

You DON'T want to start with a lager. A pale ale, however, is a great first brew.

Sent you a PM with the handout that I wrote for the starting brewers in our club. Hope it helps.

 

[homebrew57]

Along with reading The Complete Joy of Homebrewing, check out HowToBrew.com and also purchase that book. This is a must-read for new brewers. Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

 

[uphillbrewer]

Along with reading The Complete Joy of Homebrewing, check out HowToBrew.com and also purchase that book. This is a must-read for new brewers. Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

Some will disagree, but I would read John Palmers "How to Brew", before any actual brewing. That way, when you start brewing it will make a lot more sense, and hopefully give you a better initial product. Avoiding some of the common mistakes by doing some early reading pays off! Also, I really like the Brew Strong podcasts that Jamil Z does. Great info especially as you learn more

 

[Shred]

Barley + Hops + Yeast + Water = Beer. Do it up. You have plenty of time to learn the "ins & outs".

 

[laughingboysbrew]

Some will disagree, but I would read John Palmers "How to Brew", before any actual brewing. That way, when you start brewing it will make a lot more sense, and hopefully give you a better initial product. Avoiding some of the common mistakes by doing some early reading pays off! Also, I really like the Brew Strong podcasts that Jamil Z does. Great info especially as you learn more

definitely. pictures on his website are a little outdated but Palmer is good fundamental reading. Also, Northern Brewer's "BrewingTV" on Youtube could be helpful. Start from the beginning. Don't make a lager first. (1-it's more challenging, 2-way more time to wait to enjoy...weeks vs months).

 

[IL1kebeer]

Buy Palmer's current edition of How to Brew. He admits that a bunch if stuff in the first edition is out of date. The free version is still a good read but the current edition will give you the most current best practices.

Also, do research on fermentation, yeast, starters... or pretty much anything yeast related. A good understanding of yeast and fermentation is the single most important factor in making good beer IMO (proper sanitization is a very close second) and I will adamantly disagree with anyone that says otherwise.

 

[BigFloyd]

A good understanding of yeast and fermentation is the single most important factor in making good beer IMO and I will adamantly disagree with anyone that says otherwise.

I ain't sayin otherwise so long as you include fermentation temperature control in with that (I figured that you were).

 

[IL1kebeer]

I ain't sayin otherwise so long as you include fermentation temperature control in with that (I figured that you were).

Of course

 

[shad623]

HUUUUGE Thanks to all that have replied. As I told BigFloyd, the military has me on orders for the next three months and will unfortunately have to wait to start my brewing until after then. But I just thought of something. My dad lives about a half hour away and my base is only open T-F, so I have a few 3 day weekends that I could possibly start a batch and check on it etc... Most likely I would only be able to go one night a week to check it. Would that be plausible?

 

[Shred]

HUUUUGE Thanks to all that have replied. As I told BigFloyd, the military has me on orders for the next three months and will unfortunately have to wait to start my brewing until after then. But I just thought of something. My dad lives about a half hour away and my base is only open T-F, so I have a few 3 day weekends that I could possibly start a batch and check on it etc... Most likely I would only be able to go one night a week to check it. Would that be plausible?

Unless you have a temp-controlled fermentation chamber that will need adjusting throughout the fermentation, you can set it and forget it. Use a blow-off in a jar of starsan or cheap vodka so you don't have to worry about any SNAFUs.

 

[MindenMan]

I learned the hard way about controlling fermentation temperature. What is the average garage temperature there this time of year? Is it between 60-70 F? If so the garage might be just perfect to fermentation. When you are brand new I suggest three things: Sanitation, sanitation, sanitation. If the garage is a little bit cool, it will take a little longer to finish fermentation, but when you are done, you still have beer.