On Sat, 02 Dec 2006 17:42:06 +0000, john doe wrote:
[color=blue]
> What do you think about this:
> [url]http://www.mrbeer.com/view.php?id=probrewkit&toplevel=Brew%20Kits&currentite[/url]
> m=1&showgroup=Brew%20Kits&menu=sub2&mactive=1&subactive=0
>
> Free shipping.
>
>
> "DragonTail" <" DragonTail281"@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:Lsgch.3684$U81.1805@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...[color=green]
>> john doe wrote:[color=darkred]
>> > I would like to get my dad a home brewing kit for Christmas but there is
>> > quite a selection on the internet and I don't know anything about it and[/color][/color]
> he[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > is very much into beer so I would like it to be a nice kit and not[/color][/color]
> something[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > cheap. I wouldn't say he is a connoisseur, yet, but he is well on his[/color][/color]
> way.[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > Which ones would everybody recomend and why? Price range is around $100.
>> > Thanks.
>> >
>> >[/color]
>> Look for someplace that is near you so shipping won't be too much. I
>> live in Wisconsin and get most of the things that I don't get locally
>> for either Northern Brewer or Midwest, both are in Minnesota. Both have
>> kits that range from ~$60 to $300+ depending on how many "extras" you
>> want. I'm willing to bet that there is someplace within a reasonable
>> shipping distance that should have something in your price range. You
>> could also try to find a local home brew supply (LHBS), that is either
>> near you or dad, that would be even better for getting supplies and
>> answering questions that may come up in the future. When I got started
>> I got an "starter" kit that had a plastic primary bucket, 5 gal glass
>> carboy, plastic bottling bucket, airlock, hydrometer, caps, capper,
>> tubing, racking cane, bottle filler, sanitizer, a book about
>> homebrewing and video. I think it was around $75. Other things to
>> consider are a large stock pot, if he doesn't already have one that has
>> about a 4 gal capacity, and bottles, about 48 12oz. Hope that helps,
>> Cheers,
>>
>> --
>> Michael Herrenbruck
>> Dragon Tail Ale
>> Drunken Bee Mead[/color][/color]

If you are actually considering going down the Mr Beer router, then for
that money I would suggest going with the Beer Man starter
kit ([url]http://www.beermanmicrobrewery.com/starterkit.htm[/url]) or something
better from your local brewhome shop.

The Beer Man start kit is the one that I selected several months back. The
extract based beer kits are good & easy to do. I can get extract beer
refill kits at my local brew shop (which I located after buying my kit) &
move up to a partial or whole grain when I'm ready.

I've only made a few batches thus far (IPAs, Hard Ciders
& working on a Export Stout right now).

So far the brews I've made via this starter kit were great. I get a lot of
compliments from people who have had really good homebrew or
local microbrew beer before -- so I must be doing something right with this
kit. ;-)

Overall I'm happy with this starter kit and the results I have
received for the price. And the batches are twice the size as the Mr Beer
kits (Beer Man makes 5 gallons [about 36 - 16oz bottles] vs. the Mr Beer
which makes half that).

I did however expand upon this kit a bit, since purchasing it.
-- moved to EZ-Cap glass bottles, instead of those PET ones.
(I still use the PET ones, but just to give away beers to
friends/family, so I don't have to collect the glass ones later)
-- picked up a hydometer test kit for gravity readings
(makes it easier to see what is happening with my brews)
-- picked up some extra cleaning supplies
(simply to keep everything sanitary & in good condition)
-- picked up a few homebrew books
(learn more homebrew things, learn tips/tricks, know more on how to
proceed/grow with this hobby, among other things.)

I hope this helps...

James T.