home brewing..thinking of getting this kit..

[waggy]

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/beer-equipment-starter-kits/essential-brewing-starter-kit.html


its only $80 but then i need bottles and a kettle.

not sure i want to spend that much on something i'm nto sure i would drink it enough...

ugh.

 

[Nintendesert]

I don't know, looks like a couple Home Depot $3 5gallon buckets and some aquarium tubing will give you similar results.

 

[DrPizza]

I don't know, looks like a couple Home Depot $3 5gallon buckets and some aquarium tubing will give you similar results.

Food-safe?

Edit: OP, I don't think that kit is worth the $80. Go to a brew store & see what it would cost for the required equipment. You don't need a DVD - there's a plethora of websites dedicated to home brewing.

 

[waggy]

I don't know, looks like a couple Home Depot $3 5gallon buckets and some aquarium tubing will give you similar results.

yeah. The big part of the cost is the $39 for a kit of stuff to make your first batch.

 

[Nintendesert]

Food-safe?

Edit: OP, I don't think that kit is worth the $80. Go to a brew store & see what it would cost for the required equipment. You don't need a DVD - there's a plethora of websites dedicated to home brewing.

Well, they do sell the ones specifically advertised for food safe and still cheaper than this setup. 80 bucks is a lot when so much of this information on recipes is on the net. I think you were teaching us how to make some peach wine or something like that. I'm betting the ingredients are fairly cheap from a grocery store too.

 

[leper84]

Not bad but you'll still need to get a thermometer, hydrometer and a grain bag.

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_452_628&products_id=13389

That kit is $10 more and comes with them, but then you don't get a free recipe with it either ($25-$35). Either one isn't bad.

I'd go for it. Getting a stainless 5 gal pot is cheap. Bottles really aren't that expensive and as long as they aren't twist off you can clean and reuse any bottles you drink while you're waiting on it to ship and ferment.

If you think about it by your second batch the equipment will pay itself off and even a budget recipe can turn out as good as something $10/ 6pack

 

[Chocu1a]

Same thing for 57 bucks.
I used to buy a lot of my kits & supplies from Northern Brewer, But then I found Austin Home Brew Supplies. Flat rate shipping & tons more kits & recipes. Better pricing, too.

 

[Leros]

Apparently Austin Home Brew is pretty decent. I've been to their retail store plenty of times to buy CO2, but I've never bought any of their goods. Always tempting though... that place smells so good.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I can recommend http://www.brewyourownbrew.com
You don't need bottles, you just have to drink a couple of cases of decent beer while you're waiting for the first batch to finish fermentation. Find a flavor of Sam Adams you like and save the bottles. You'll need 9 six packs for a 5 gallon batch. You'll like brewing, it's a lazy man's hobby.

 

[Broheim]

http://craftabrew.com/

I got Xanis a kit from there for AT secret Santa, it's supposed to be a great kit to learn with.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Skip the moonshine, get a chemistry set and do some meth yo! It pays more. Yeah science!

 

[seepy83]

I got a Deluxe starter kit with glass carboys from Northern Brewer as a birthday present a few months ago. This is a fun hobby! Cleaning all the gear is a little bit of a pain, but it's enjoyable once you get your finished product.

I knew pretty much nothing about brewing before getting the kit, and I've done a lot of reading about it since then. Personally, I would make sure to start with either plastic or glass carboys...not buckets that you can't see into. I know plenty of people use the buckets, and they work, but when you're starting out I think a clear fermenting vessel is best to remove some of the mystery.

Happy Brewing!

 

[KB]

Getting bottles is the best part. Just buy bottled beer you like that isn't a twist off cap and drink it.

 

[waggy]

I can recommend http://www.brewyourownbrew.com
You don't need bottles, you just have to drink a couple of cases of decent beer while you're waiting for the first batch to finish fermentation. Find a flavor of Sam Adams you like and save the bottles. You'll need 9 six packs for a 5 gallon batch. You'll like brewing, it's a lazy man's hobby.

yeah I have 18 bottles that are perfect for it. i'm going to save them.

 

[dougp]

I'd go to a 3 gallon system if I could.

Any interest in a 5 gallon full electric build? I'll sell it for $1,500!

 

[waggy]

I'd go to a 3 gallon system if I could.

Any interest in a 5 gallon full electric build? I'll sell it for $1,500!

remove a few Zeros and sure!

 

[dougp]

remove a few Zeros and sure!

www.theelectricbrewery.com

I have a eBIAB system loosely based on Kal's build. His equipment/basement will make you cry.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

If you're into scrounging, you can start brewing pretty cheap. The two buckets you can probably get from a restaurant. Pickles and other things often come in 5 gallon food grade buckets. You'll need a stainless steel pot that holds at least 6 gallons. I've seen enameled steel canning pots pretty cheap. A hydrometer is only $5. A plastic wine thief or two is pretty cheap. Tubing is also cheap. You'll need to pick up some spigots, o rings and, air locks from your local brew supply shop. The biggest aid to good home brewing is 'no rinse ' sanitizer. It comes in both dry and liquid forms. Another handy tool for bottling is a bottle tree. They sell for about $40 but, you can build your own with wood and dowels yourself if you're handy with tools. There are a number of folks here who homebrew so, don't be afraid to ask if you have specific questions.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'd go to a 3 gallon system if I could.

Any interest in a 5 gallon full electric build? I'll sell it for $1,500!

You don't really like beer do you?
It takes ~2 months for a basic ale and, up to a year for some of my Imperials. Are you really going to spend that time on a measly 3 gallons? That's why so many who start with the "beer pig " brewers give up on it. Also, small batches are far more susceptible to sanitation and off flavor issues. 5 gallons is a reasonable size batch for home brewing. At least until you've been bitten by the bug.

 

[xSauronx]

I can recommend http://www.brewyourownbrew.com
You don't need bottles, you just have to drink a couple of cases of decent beer while you're waiting for the first batch to finish fermentation. Find a flavor of Sam Adams you like and save the bottles. You'll need 9 six packs for a 5 gallon batch. You'll like brewing, it's a lazy man's hobby.

i have to say i found brewing meade even lazier. as well as bottling primarily pints, bombers and grolsch bottles.

 

[waggy]

If you're into scrounging, you can start brewing pretty cheap. The two buckets you can probably get from a restaurant. Pickles and other things often come in 5 gallon food grade buckets. You'll need a stainless steel pot that holds at least 6 gallons. I've seen enameled steel canning pots pretty cheap. A hydrometer is only $5. A plastic wine thief or two is pretty cheap. Tubing is also cheap. You'll need to pick up some spigots, o rings and, air locks from your local brew supply shop. The biggest aid to good home brewing is 'no rinse ' sanitizer. It comes in both dry and liquid forms. Another handy tool for bottling is a bottle tree. They sell for about $40 but, you can build your own with wood and dowels yourself if you're handy with tools. There are a number of folks here who homebrew so, don't be afraid to ask if you have specific questions.

I think i will get a kit now instead of scounging.

the one i listed seems like a good starter (and comes with a beer kit). Then maybe expand it if i like it. just need a big pot. haven't been to town to see if i can find one cheap

i know a bunch here homebrew. wich is why i posted here.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

i have to say i found brewing meade even lazier. as well as bottling primarily pints, bombers and grolsch bottles.

Meade is great but takes at least a year. I'm frequently offered meades accompanied by comments like "can you believe it's only three months old?" Hack! Cough! Choke!
/thinks to self
'Yes I can."

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I think i will get a kit now instead of scounging.

the one i listed seems like a good starter (and comes with a beer kit). Then maybe expand it if i like it. just need a big pot. haven't been to town to see if i can find one cheap

i know a bunch here homebrew. wich is why i posted here.

The kit is missing a hydrometer.

 

[Uppsala9496]

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Equip...s=homebrew+kit

A bit more money but prime shipping and everything you need.

 

[Uppsala9496]

http://www.homebrewing.org/Beginning-Homebrew-Kit_p_352.html

Cheaper one with free shipping.
They sell decent extract kits too.