where to start

[CHUCKmfnNORRIS]

planning on getting a brewing kit but don't know where to start. i was looking at the homebrewers.com kit. is this something too hard for a first time brewer?

this is the kit i was looking at.

http://www.homebrewers.com/product/STARTERPLUSKIT/Beer_Making_Starter_Plus_Kit_with_Ingredients.html

 

[phatuna]

That's a great kit to get you started. I actually bought this one http://www.homebrewers.com/product/1000/Beer_Making_Starter_Kit_with_Ingredients.html

If you want to save a few bucks, get the one I did and add a 12.95 auto-syphon, Palmer's book can be found online for free.

 

[CHUCKmfnNORRIS]

is there anything he left out in the videos on the web site? or any knowledge you could share when using this kit?

 

[chumprock]

Chuck Norris doesn't brew, he just gives the grain a mean look and it turns into beer.

 

[CHUCKmfnNORRIS]

i like it.

 

[phatuna]

The only thing that I will add is that this is a great "starter kit". If you enjoy the hobby as most do, you will begin to add to your arsenal. The reason that I like the kit that you picked, is that I'm still using 100% of the equipment that came with it. There is nothing in there that becomes obsolete as you build.
Just make sure that you have a 5 gallon pot of some kind to do your boil, then you are all set to do extract brewing.

If you are anything like most of us, as soon as I was done making the first batch, you will likely want to start immediately on your next. The primary that came w/ the kit will be full of wort. So with your second kit, be sure to order another primary ale pale, and a second airlock, then you will be set for a long time.

Or, save on shipping and order those items now

 

[CHUCKmfnNORRIS]

thanks for all the help, there is a "home brewing" store about an hour away from where i live so i am going to swing by and see what they have in terms of starter kits.

 

[phatuna]

Chuck, one last thought here. Homebrewers Outpost is an excellent company - however they are a long way away from CT... I would imagine that you will be shipping ground which will take a while for things to arrive.

I order through them because they are great, but also because they are 1-2 days ground shipping to San Diego.

Keep an eye on this, especially in the summer months shipping yeast. Those trucks can get hot after 7-10 days or whatever...

Search around a bit on this forum, there are other highly recommended HBS's which are closer to you like northern brewer for example. you can order this kit http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/starter-kits/basic-starter-kit.html

then pick out an extract beer kit that you like for $25-$30 then you are set. Their shipping is flat $7.99 no matter what you order.
I would suggest again adding another primary ale pale and an extra extract kit for batch 2...

 

[bam]

I am a new brewer and my starter kit came from homebrewers.. It works for me right now. Which I have caught the inevitable bug and am dying to get some extra equip to get some more going.

good luck!!

 

[Newbeerguy]

I purchased my first setup through homebrewers.com and I was impressed with the kit. I knew nothing about brewing, and that kit had everything I needed to get started. The only gripe I have with them is I personally think their beer kits are very substandard. I plugged the ingredients into BeerSmith and it was WAY outta style. In fact, after my third kit from them I almost gave up brewing. I then ordered from AHS and never looked back. But thats just my 2 cents!

A couple things I didn't agree with in his videos.
1. He says to put the steeping grains in 2.5 gallons of water and bring almost to a boil, I have had much better luck steeping in 1 gallon of water @ 155.

2. He says rehydration of yeast isn't recommended - Rehydrate it.

3. Not sure it is on his videos, but it is in his instructions, he only let it set in the primary for 1 week, but I'd make sure you'd left it in for 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[mojotele]

I'd only recommend that you stay away from lager beer kits for your first try. Go with an ale. I did an English Brown Ale, and it was very tasty!

 

[ronaldo_fanbelt]

That kit looks good. I got a similar kit for Christmas, and I've had to get another primary and secondary fermenter, because like these guys said you catch the bug very fast. I bought a 5 gallon pot to do my boils, and have been hitting up a few friends and have found a few more 5 and 6 gallon carboys. Have fun and the way I see it the more fermenters and stuff you can aquire the better!

 

[CHUCKmfnNORRIS]

what type of beer should i try to brew first? are some easier than others?

 

[dracus]

Brew a beer in the style you like. Really imho all beers are pretty much the same in terms of difficulty.
At least if your doing a extract plus speciality grains type brew. The differnce is just which grains do you put in a bag.

By picking a beer you enjoy already you'll be able to know if it came out great it not plus you'll end up with 5g of a beer you really enjoy.

 

[CHUCKmfnNORRIS]

is there a difference in brewing stronger beers? does it take longer?

 

[phatuna]

is there a difference in brewing stronger beers? does it take longer?

The stronger the beer (more abv%) typically takes a bit longer to mellow out. Depending on the strength, a beer should mellow in a couple of weeks to up to a year.

Recommendation: on your first brew, brew something in the 4% - 6% abv.

 

[jds]

Another recommendation:

Go to www.howtobrew.com

There's tons of good info there for the new homebrewer. There's tons of great information here too.

 

[CHUCKmfnNORRIS]

when i get to the bottling part does the size of the bottle dictate the time needed to build up the carbonation? i have a growler from wachusett brewery that has a locking lid. here are some pics

 

[GoldMiner]

Don't use a growler, they are not meant to handle that much carbonation.