would this make the ideal first brewers kit?

[mordecai251]

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-starter-kit.html


this kit seems like a good deal for the money, anyone have experience with this?, or just any input on this being a pretty decent buy or not?

 

[NorthRiverS]

mordecai,

Here's what I bought, and I'll tell you why. This kit needs NO Siphoning! Period! It is a breeze to transfer beer to the secondary or the bottling bucket. No spills, no leaks, No defective auto-siphons! Ever! I cannot tell you how easy the spigots make brewing beer. I wouldn't consider anything else. Check it out.

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/BREWERY-WITH-BROWN-ALE-P2198C73.aspx

NRS

 

[BrewForMe]

IMO your choice would be an excellent starter kit, it includes all of the basics you need to get going except for a boiling pot. I started with a similar Kit, minus the carboy and have been pleased overall. Since then I have expanded quite a bit, immersion chiller, 6.5 gallon and 5 gallon carboy, 10 gallon brew kettle, and recently started brewing all grain which opened up a new can of worms. Basically though, your choice will make great beer as long as you remember the key step of sanitation. Get some star san and use it on everything. It is a great product and keep some in a spray bottle for handy use when you dont need to mix up a whole batch.

More than likely, after you start brewing and realize how easy and exciting it is to brew your own, you will get all kinds of crazy ideas and start adding more equipment as you go. This isn't a bad thing, we all do it and as far as i know, there is no cure. Get whatever start-up kit fits your budget and you will be brewing great beer in no time. just my opinion.

 

[phenry]

I started with the same kit back in February. I honestly didn't touch the carboy until 2 weeks ago, when I finally put a 4.5 gallon batch in there for primary. If you plan on brewing any high gravity beers though (barleywine, RIS, etc), it would be a good investment.

The only other thing I can really say you'll need is sanitizer (I like Star San), some way to take hydrometer readings (wine thief or turkey baster/graduated cylinder), long stirring spoon, and of course a boil kettle. I get by with an 8 gallon kettle, even with all grain batches.

 

[mordecai251]

i ordered a 20 quart stock pot off amazon first, i am more than likely gonna order this kit off midwest supply and i have been drinking my usual/fair share of kentucky ale to have bottles for bottling. i plan on doing the tcan/bear cat kit off nothern brewer. my first brew. i am hoping all the research i have done finally comes into effect on D day when i do my first batch. i am hoping for a september/october brew.

 

[mr_bell]

I started with the same kit and have been brewing for 3.5 years. I was very happy with it--I still am using those same pieces, other than replacing siphon tubing periodically. Over the last few years, I have added many of the same items brewforme mentions. I think you will be pleased.