New to Home Brew

Tony2013 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-20-2006, 08:29 PM

Hey Group.

I am interested in starting my own home brew. Any suggestions on what kit i should get? I have been looking at a kit from Midwest and Homebrewers.com. All suggestions are welcome.

Tony

wild · #2 (**permalink**) 11-21-2006, 02:17 AM

Welcome to the hobby Tony. It all depends on how much money you have to spend. You can go cheaper with plastic buckets for fermenters or you can spurge with glass carboys. Other than that, you basic setup will be the same:
6 gallon bottling bucket with spigot
Triple scale testing hydrometer with test tube
Bottle cleaning brush
3 piece airlock
Bottle filler and 4' food-grade vinyl transfer tube
Hand-lever bottle capper and 50 bottle caps
BTF Iodophor sanitizer for sanitizing equipment (4oz)
Reusable nylon steeping bag
Popular reference book - Home Beer Making III

Good luck,
Wild

Tony2013 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-21-2006, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm looking forward to my first batch. I'll keep you posted on my progress....

BierNewbie · #4 (**permalink**) 11-21-2006, 10:20 PM

Some of the most useful free info on the web is at Palmers - How to Brew
You'll also eventually need a Brewpot. For 5 gallon batches I'd get one that is 30 quarts or so.

dlihcsnatas · #5 (**permalink**) 11-22-2006, 10:28 PM

Recently got one of my poor boy friends involved with a 5 gallon water bottle from the local grocery ($10) and a one piece ferment lock set into a cork ($4). He got a kit ($22) but forgot about buying a hydrometer. (total $36 so far)

To boil he came over and used my burner and 5 gallon stainless pot, some later toys I picked up down the road. I started with my wifes big pot and the kitchen stove.

Not sure what he is going to do when it's ready to bottle. Told him to buy about 3 cases of pop top not twist off beer ($??) and drink it down or have me come over and drink it for him. He hasn't yet done either and I was so wanting him to invite me over.

If there is an ale there is a way! Just grab something clean and worthy of drinking from it, what some call "food grade", and go to it.

I've been making ale for some time and started with less than $20 worth of stuff. Well that was a few years ago so now days I might would have to spend around $40 to get started again.

Tony2013 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-26-2006, 07:39 PM

Thanks....

Tony2013 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-26-2006, 07:40 PM

Thank you for the informaiton. Did your friend ever invite you over for beers?