Home of the BrewNosers

Hello!

Well, I'm definitely new here this is my first post. I'm also very very new to home brewing. I've been doing some research on different starter kits to buy, and what I would need. This is how I came across this group and well I figured I would make an account and see what I can learn. I suppose I should state my goal, I want to start of just making a few brews for my friends and I and then slowly over time get up to the point where I have a few kegs of beer and more waiting to be bottled.

I'm actually hoping to get some recommendations on starter kits. This is probably a question that is asked a lot on here, so if it is I'm sorry for the repeat (there might even be a section dedicated to it, I haven't fully explored the forum yet - just came right to the newbie section).

I've been looking at getting this kits here (I hope this is allowed..)
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/delu ... r-kit.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm just curious if that is a good place to start? Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks!

Links are fine, but Northern Brewer doesn't ship to canada, and the shipping cost for that would be pretty hefty anyway. What kind of brewing do you plan to do?

Welcome.

Your best bet is probably to stop in to one of the local homebrew shops or look on kijiji. The basic equipment is the same for wine & beer, so keep your options open to both.

If you're in the HRM, WineKitz in Halifax has some great buckets for fermenting - they sell complete starter kits as well. Noble Grape would sell the same type of starter kit, though you will end up with the standard sized, white bucket.

Do you plan on jumping straight into all-grain, doing full wort kits, extract brewing, etc.? The type of brewing you plan on doing will determine your best route for buying equipment.

Just my take on "starter" kits...they sell waay more than whats actually required for a complete newb to make decent beer. Two buckets, an airlock, hydrometer, and siphon hose are pretty much it if you start with festabrew kits (or even the canned ones). The festa's are a good first brew.

Welcome aboard.

Jimmy wrote:
Do you plan on jumping straight into all-grain, doing full wort kits, extract brewing, etc.? The type of brewing you plan on doing will determine your best route for buying equipment.

To be honest, I'm not really sure what I'm looking at doing. I know starting out I just want to go simple and easy, but in the end I would like to get into more complex brews.

Stusbrews wrote:Just my take on "starter" kits...they sell waay more than whats actually required for a complete newb to make decent beer. Two buckets, an airlock, hydrometer, and siphon hose are pretty much it if you start with festabrew kits (or even the canned ones). The festa's are a good first brew.

I was wondering this also, if I bought something like a starter kit if there was just going to be a bunch of useless crap in it, that I wouldn't really need.


Thank you all for the quick replies I'm impressed at the speed!

Brad

Welcome! Definitely second the festa brews being a good place to start - not as cheap as some other kits but good enough to get you excited to brew more.

Kijiji can be a great source for starter kits, but look into the price of the kits from homebrew shops so that you have an idea of what these items should cost second hand. A lot of people will try to sell for the same price as homebrew shop.

More importantly, buy bottles from the recycling centers for cheap!

Welcome and good luck!

Sent from my GT-I9000

Welcome Brad.

Welcome! I got started with the starter kit and Festa Brew from Noble Grape. The full wort kits are great for learning and getting your sanitizing practices up to snuff.

I agree with everything above. Really you need a festa brew kit and a bucket. When it's time to bottle you will need a syphon hose and some bottles too. I would recommend a hydrometer and some way to take samples (I use a turkey baster). Although its not needed it will get you thinking about what is happening with your beer and put you on the path to making better beer.
Start with an ale, not a lager. Keep it in the low temp range of whatever they tell you if you can. Most people stick it in a cool closet or basement.
From there you can upgrade, but that is the simplest way to making beer I know of.

Good luck and continue to ask questions. We don't mind and generally anything is allowed on here in good(ish) taste.

Welcome aboard!

If u are looking for bottles I have a bunch to trade for beer.

Ok ... Let's try this again!

I made my introduction before, but kind of disappeared, and didn't get into beer making.. I have been lurking the forums on and off over the last almost year, but I recently started a new job at NG and well that gave me the kick in the ass and motivation I needed to start some home brew. I just wanted to say hello again and that I will probably have questions.

I just started with a festa brew brown ale, that I threw a bunch of honey into at the start, as I'm told they are pretty much idiot proof and I just wanted to start with the easiest. I think the next one I am going to try is the already done up recipes - Probably one of the IPA ones NG offers and go from there.. eventually going to keg beers, but just bottling for now. |

anyways - wanted to say HI again.

Brad

Edit: words.

Welcome ... again!

Hello for the first time (I joined in May).

We started with Festas too --they're easy and taste pretty good. We've got some Festa Brew Brown bottled now, no extras in it. I'd be interested to hear how it tastes with the honey added in.


-Keely.

Hey brAd .. some of the Ng gang get togeather and brew once in a while, we will have to get you to join in and see how it all goes down.. Cheers

Welcome back!

HappyHopper wrote:Hey brAd .. some of the Ng gang get togeather and brew once in a while, we will have to get you to join in and see how it all goes down.. Cheers

Sure thing, just let me know when

redoubt wrote:We started with Festas too --they're easy and taste pretty good. We've got some Festa Brew Brown bottled now, no extras in it. I'd be interested to hear how it tastes with the honey added in.
-Keely.

I was told it was pretty good and I should try it, so I'm hoping it turns out alright.