What do I need?

[CaliBuddha]

I am getting some stuff from http://www.brewmasterswarehouse.com/ b/c they are sort of close to me and was curious what ingredients I need to get?

I am getting their $89.99 kit: http://www.brewmasterswarehouse.com/product/0101897/gold-beer-equipment-kit-w-better-bottle

I see the Brew Building thing they have going on but how am I supposed to know how much stuff I need? I just want a decent tasting, basic thing to start out on that isnt too difficult... I mean, I would prefer something that tastes better and has a higher alcohol content but if it is too much for a beginner then I understand.

Help?

 

[phatuna]

You should buy one of their "extract kits". You can find them in their recipe section.

Try to hone in on the style of beer that you like (light, dark, porter, pale ale, hefe??).

Then buy their extract kit that matches your tastes. Any of the extract kits are do-able, just follow their directions as best you can.

 

[DRoyLenz]

One thing that I can definitely see right off the bat that is not included in that kit is a boil kettle. You really should start with a kettle no less than 4 gallons, IMO.

A nice kit I would recommend is Midwest Supplies - Equipment Kit. This kit has literally everything you need to make your first brew. It may appear to be more expensive, but when you consider the added cost of the ingredient kit, plus boil kettle, plus bottles, it is actually a better deal. This is nothing against BMW, that is one of the best Online HBS out there, I'm just not that familiar with their equipment kits.

 

[CaliBuddha]

Thanks! I'll try that!

Do extract kits taste ok? Do they have different alcohol percentages? I like darker, stout beers the most. IPAs are great too

 

[CaliBuddha]

Is it still going to be less expensive? I have to pay $30 shipping! So, it's $165 really

 

[FungusBrew]

Extract kits contain all the ingredients, and step by step instructions to get you on your way. Alcohol percentages vary from beer to beer pending on what style your making, kit or no kit. I've always found that darker beers tend to be a little bit easier to start out with too. Brewers Best starter kits work out really well, and they offer a plethora of recipes to choose from. Have fun and good luck!

 

[phatuna]

Cali, you should shop around a little bit.

You should try to find a retailer in close proximety to TN as it will take less shipping time. You don't want hops and yeast sitting in a hot UPS truck for too long

To name a few highly recommended online retailers:
www.midwestsupplies.com
www.austinhomebrew.com
www.homebrewers.com/

www.brewmasterswarehouse.com
www.northernbrewer.com
www.williamsbrewing.com

$30 for shipping is a lot. Some of the above retailers have flat rate shipping.

 

[HarkinBanks]

Read as much as you can before you click that purchase button. If you think you might get obsessed with this hobby and want to brew for the rest of your life, start thinking about expansion options now. For example, that 4 gal starter brew kettle will be gone within a few months. Those plastic fermenters will be replaced with glass carboys. If you simply want to try it out and make something every now and then, the Midwest starter kit is a good way to go. Costco also has a $99 starter kit that will get you going. I knew I would get hooked when I first started so I built out my "beginner" equipment very carefully. Just my .02c

 

[DRoyLenz]

+1 to shopping around for sure. $30 is a lot to spend on shipping, agreed. I would use that kit as an example of everything you're going to need for your first brew, and there aren't a whole lot of extra things in there you don't need. I shopped around for about a week before I made my first purchase. Another perk for buying the above recommended kit, you can get a stout kit, which is something you expressed interest in.

In the future, as you expand your obsession, some things you're going to want to buy are bigger boil kettles, wort chillers, better bottles/glass carboys, and various other equipment for AG brewing, if that's the route you go. So keep that in mind as you're making your first purchase.

 

[dantodd]

that particular kit is a little odd, it includes a 6 gallon better bottle and a 7.8 gallon fermentation bucket. If you ferment in the bucket you will need some sort of bottling bucket but if you ferment in the better bottle why would you want a larger bucket for bottling? I suspect that this kit is designed to be used with a secondary fermentation of every batch. I don't think there are many here who recommend that any longer. I also like a spigot on any bottling bucket/carboy I use or, at the very least a racking cane, this kit has neither. Personally I like the cheaper kit there better.

As for a brew kettle I'd suggest using one you already have, if you need to buy a new one I'd go for 7.5 gallons or bigger. It is much easier to brew with a full boil and if/when you go all grain you'll need at least a 7.5, and preferably 10, gallon kettle. I would also recommend starting off with a turkey fryer from day one. You can usually pick up a turkey fryer with kettle for a decent price; especially with T-day coming up.

 

[CaliBuddha]

I have been thinking about this for a couple months now and shopping around occasionally, I just haven't had enough money to get it off the ground...

The closest place to me is Brewmasters Warehouse and they are 81 miles away. That's why I wanted to buy from there...

 

[CaliBuddha]

I believe Im going to go w/ the HomeBrewers Warehouse kit and get a boil pot and bottles or keg separately...

I was looking at the ingredients kits and was curious if the liquid extracts are even worth getting? I dont want to waste $12 on something that is going to taste like crap or have really low alcohol content. Would I be able to start out w/ something else or is the liquid the way to go?

Also, is it better to start out bottling as opposed to kegging? I imagine bottling is easier. What all do you need to keg, besides the keg?