http://www.brewershilllifestyle.com/beer-brewing-kit/
What does it take to start home beer brewing?
Several years ago my roommate bought me a “Mr. Beer” home brewing kit. What I didn’t really like about it is that it seemed “dumbed down” – for example, all the yeast, sugar and stuff was pre-measured and it all came in pre-packaged flavors. I want to experiment a bit with different ingredients. What will it take to make a beer from scratch? I’m looking for input on things like equipment, tips, and difficulty level. Another thing I would like to know is if I’m getting in over my head. Thanks in advance.
OK, some background here…I’ve been home brewing for several years, I’ve metaled in several contests and I brew at least i batch a month year round.
The first thing you need is a good kit. I recommend this one because it comes with a carboy for clarification and sanitizer*-
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/brewing-starter-kit.html
You may wish to get a book a book, How To Brew by John Palmer is the homebrewer’s bible. Beauty of it is the old edition is available only for free from John himself here –
http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html
Get the book online or at your local book store if you become serious about brewing. I also recommend Randy Mosher’s Rasdical Brewing ( http://www.radicalbrewing.com/ ) and Ray Daniels’ Designing Great Beer ( http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Great-Beers-Ultimate-Brewing/dp/0937381500 ) if you become serious about it.
In the absence of a book you can watch Alton brew a beer and take good notes. This is how I started and I don’t regret it. The ice trick really works until you invest in a wort chiller. –
Next you’ll need a recipe, I recommend going partial mash your first time out. All extract tends to be bland and lifeless, all-grain is to expensive and complicated for a beginner. Make sure you know if your recipe kit comes with priming sugar for bottling and if it doesn’t you’ll need some. If your local homebrew shop doesn’t have ready made kits you can get them from Midwest Supplies also –
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/homebrewing-ingredients/recipe-kits.html
Let’s see…you’ll need a large stock pot to boil your wort in. Wort is beer before it is beer. If you don’t have one already, don’t spend a lot right now. Go to Dollar General and get a 3 gallon pot for under $20. You’ll need this for boiling you wort.
You’ll need bottles. This I highly recommend picking up locally. Shipping cost and possibility for damage are both high. If you and your friends are up to it you can save and wash and sanitize* them. You’ll need two cases and a six extra. Chances are you won’t need all six extra, but you want them just in case.
Advice for a beginner –
Start simple. Don’t go big your first time out. I did this and I wasted money and time. I brewed a stout that was undrinkable.
If your tap water is drinkable without chemical treatment it is good enough for brewing…no mater what Alton says. Just fill your bottling bucket and let it sit overnight so the chlorine can evaporate out.
Be patient. Brewing takes time, but it is rewarding.
Do a web search for home brew clubs in your area. Here in Chicago I’m a member of CBS (Chicago Beer Society). The one thing you’ll learn about brewers is we LOVE to share what we know and we love to get other people addicted to the hobby. There is also homebrewtalk.com and Beer Advocate’s forum as a home brew section.
*SANITATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP AND SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED!!!!!
Imagine that last line underlined, bold, 25 point and bright red…maybe flashing.
Mr. Beer Brew Kit First Batch
|
|
Mr. Beer Premium Gold Edition Home Brew Kit $34.95 The Premium Gold kit includes two of our most popular refill recipes, specifically chosen to appeal to the greatest number of potential brewers. As with every Mr.Beer kit, this package comes complete with everything needed to brew and bottle both batches (one at a time). All of the equipment is reusable and totally user friendly, so you can enjoy batch after batch of your own home brew without bre… |
|
|
Mr. Root Beer 20041 Home Root-Beer-Making Kit $12.99 If a tasty mug of root beer would hit the spot about now, a mug you’ve made yourself would be even better. With the Mr.RootBeer Kit, you can make 2 gallons of the best tasting root beer in as few as 3 days! The kit produces a very traditional old-fashioned tasting root beer that is designed to be a hit with adults and children alike. Just follow the provided directions and enjoy a delicious resul… |
|
|
Mr. Beer 3-Beer Mix Variety Pack $29.95 This 3 pack variety of Mr Beer Beer Mix Refills contains will make 6 gallons delicious tasting home brew! Contains: Canadian Draft Weizenbier Vienna Lager Also contains everything needed to brew your beers: 3 Booster Pouches 3 OneStep Packs… |
|
|
Beginning Homebrew $19.95 So you want to make beer but not quite sure where to get started. Beginning homebrew is a clear and concise way to learn. This isn’t just a DVD, it’s a complete program in learning to make great beer at home. Along with the video is a free companion e-workbook that provides additional information on each section. Included as well, is a visual flowchart of the entire homebrewing process.The top… |
|
|
Kombucha Brooklyn Home Brew Kit – simple and easy to use! $49.99 Everything you need to make your own delicious and healthful kombucha at home! From instructions to ingredients to a jar to to brew it in, it’s all there. And the special bonus : access to the Kombuchman himself to answer all your brewing questions and guide you on your quest for the perfect buch! Check out our video to see how easy it is to brew your own! … |
|
|
Calcium Sulfate Gypsum 2 oz for Home Brew $0.99 Calcium Sulfate is used to add permanent hardness (Calcium ions) to brewing water. 1 gram in 1 gallon changes the salt levels by 61.5 ppm calcium, 147.5 ppm sulfate and adds 153.5 ppm to the hardness…. |
|
|
Five Star Sanitizer (8 oz) $9.99 Star San is an acid sanitizer that works on contact. This is a no rinse sanitizer that is both effective, quick, and easy to use. Some foaming may occur, however this is normal and will not affect your beer. Do not fear the foam! Container has a built in measuring feature that allows for easy dilution of the sanitizer. It is also highly effective to add Star San to a spray bottle to allow for more… |
|
|
Vino Italiano 4 Week Wine Kit, Moscato, 15.5-Pound Box $41.35 4 week wine kit. great italian table wines …. |
|
|
Complete Coopers Brewery Australian Pale Ale Beer Kit Package $33.35 The closest a brewer can get to the famed COOPERS ORIGINAL PALE ALE which is considered an Australian icon. Crisp bitterness combined with fruity and floral characters make a compellingly flavored beer for all occasions. Package includes ingredients only. For best results we recommend using with the Coopers Brewery DIY Beer Kit…. |
|
|
Complete Coopers Brewery Mexican Cerveza Beer Kit Package $25.00 The ultimate thirst quencher. A lighter style beer with a fresh, clean taste designed for refreshment in the heat of Central America. Package includes ingredients only. For best results we recommend using with the Coopers Brewery DIY Beer Kit…. |