I want to home brew....

[vivalanation734]

So guys I am looking into starting a very small home brewing set-up. I have looked at various kits across the net and I think I found a decent one at a good price.

This is the kit I am looking at: http://www.homebrewing.org/Beginning-Homebrew-Kit-Upgrade-2-_p_1692.html

They also have Fat Tire clone on their site I was thinking about getting as well....

Essentially I just need wisdom on how to get started, what I need, etc....

thanks for the help

-ryan

 

[Headbanger]

Try joining a home brew site and ask for input would be my first thought. Might not need to join if you can read their threads.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

I'm thinking about going down that same slippery slope myself!

I would send PM's to Adam (smokinghole) and Jose (BigFoot) they both actively homebrew.

 

[derfatdutchman]

Its got all the items you will need to start. I do like that the kit comes with an auto siphon, much easier to use than a racking cane.

As for the kit, you'll need to add on priming sugar, bottle caps, yeast, hop bags and grain bags.

You will also need about 54 -12oz non-twist off bottles for a five gallon batch.

Jump on in the wort is fine!

 

[bmony]

It's nice if you can find a physical store near you in that you can stop by or call if you have any questions or issues. I found a place years ago about 30 minutes from my place.

The owner was very passionate about home brewing and even started his own brewery 4 years ago, O'so Brewing.

 

[smokinghole]

My only piece of advice to start off is ditch that wing style capper. I got one when I first started and absolutely hated it. I have since bought a bench style capper and have a second capping bell so I can do 29mm caps on champagne bottles for something I want to share with someone and age a while. So I'd see if you can upgrade to the bench capper straight off they're so much easier to use and I bottle all my beers. The misses has not agreed to a kegerator yet.

 

[BagfullofPings]

I've been thinking about this as well, but I need another hobby like I need a hole in my head. If I started, I would turn into a superfreak and I can already see the cash burning. Kegging my own beer, whole grain brewing, all the equipment, getting fat, getting on the liver transplant list, and everything else that would be required.

 

[Mikes]

Austin Homebrew Supply

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/

I suggest ditching the bottles all together and go straight to kegs. You can thank me later as bottles (cleaning capping storing) are just a PIA!

 

[SergeantStogie]

Bell's has some awesome started kits for good prices. Even comes with ingredients!

 

[vivalanation734]

Bell's has some awesome started kits for good prices. Even comes with ingredients!

link? I'd love me some amber ale.... if we are talking about the same bells....

 

[SergeantStogie]

http://bellsbeershop.com/store

 

[smokinghole]

Austin Homebrew Supply

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/

I suggest ditching the bottles all together and go straight to kegs. You can thank me later as bottles (cleaning capping storing) are just a PIA!

Bottles aren't a pain if you have an organized and streamlined way to do it. If everything is an asspain you're doing it wrong or have zero patience.

 

[mthhurley]

I went straight to legging as well and sometime regret it. Hard to share your brew if you can't bottle it occasionally. I'm too cheap to buy a beer gun to do the job

 

[Mikes]

smokinghole: I have zero patience and a kick ass wife who got me a dual tap, all stainless outdorr kegerator ;o) So I never bottled....but friends who do bitch all of the time.

mthhurley: What is this 'share' you speak of lol? A 5 gal korney lasts about a week at my house lol. I share you just gotta come over to get it lol

 

[BeerAdvocate]

Here is some good info I tell everyone

Must Read Books:
How to Brew by John Palmer
The Complete Joy of Homebrewing by Charlie Papazian

Great Starter kit:
www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-starter-kit.html

Homebrewing Forum:
www.homebrewtalk.com

Ingredient Kits & Supplies:
www.austinhomebrew.com
www.northernbrewer.com

 

[smokinghole]

I guess I'm a weirdo that doesn't mind bottling. Either way I will eventually keg small beers but at the moment bottles are free. Fridge/chest freezer, temp controller, and all the other stuff to keg is not. I already have a 20lb co2 cylinder though.

He'd be better served with a fridge to control fermentation temps before kegging would be super advantageous.