Going to start brewing i think...

[PSU2Fan]

I'd like a little advice if anyone's got it.
I've decided I want to start brewing some beer.. maybe wine down the road.

I've heard mixed things about beer brewing kits, some good, some bad. I'm wondering what I need to look for, etc. Also I've heard that you don't even need a kit, that you can use buckets. Are the any advantages to having a kit?

Also I'm wondering where to go to get ingredients.

ANy thoughts or advice would be great

[cracked]

my dad tried that a few years back, i was too young to drink then so i dunno how it turned out, but he bought a kit and the only thing that looked "special" in the kit was this huge 5 or 6 gallon glass bottle. other than that it was just hoses and the ingredients. u could prolly order the ingredients off the net. good luck and let us know how it turns out

drew

[Knothead]

My pal Tony has been making beer for years. He's the guy who educated me about beer in the first place (and sorry, but Budweiser don't get it... ) and he's been doing 'Wheat beer' for a long time now. It's good stuff, but...

PS, please resist the urge, once you get going, to add stuff like...oh....Cinnamon or apple extract, etc. and foist the results off on your hapless friends...

You can make wonderful beer at home, but learn the basics first before you decide to ehh, improve upon the recipes. GAH!! <imagine a green-faced smiley with his tongue hanging out here

[PSU2Fan]

Heh, yeah don't be too worried about me making applebrew or cinnamon swirl Knot
I'm much more of an ale or lager type. Really like the Whitbred and Killians so I'll be shooting for something in that range. And it seems I'll need to do a bit or reading before I dive in.

Hmm maybe I'll make a fufu for the friends. That should appease them.

[RustyGT]

GDay PSU2Fan

We've been making beer for years. [I say 'we' cos the wife does it all these days]

We drink plenty, so we make plenty. 45 litres a week in fact.

It's easy, once you've got a routine established.

Just takes a bit of elbow grease, and some discipline.

Could go on at length about the how tos and why fors.

I shall later.

Get back to ya. ChrsR.

[Detritus]

Take it from a biologist, one of the most important steps in beer brewing is sterilization... nothing better then a nice bottle of bear with a sweaty sock smelling bacterial growth...

GAH!! <imagine a green-faced smiley with his tongue hanging out here

[RustyGT]

Except that, something that smells like a sweaty sock will never be a nice bottle of beer!

Hey, I'm working on a good brewers guide reply honest.

Just pour myself another... R.

[Detritus]

Except that, something that smells like a sweaty sock will never be a nice bottle of beer!

True, sorry I sometimes forget it is difficult to type sarcasm

[RustyGT]

Indeed Det it is.

Even harder to drink a sour brew.
I have tried, Gee, I have tried.

Nothing sadder than pouring a whole bottled batch down the sink.

Blood Sweat and Beers. Sniff. Gone...

R.

[Quidam]

I recommend an equipment kit and an ingredient kit to start off. If it becomes a hobby, you can upgrade the equipment little by little. If it becomes an obsession, you can formulate your own secret recipies. All in all, its fun, yields great beer, and increases your 'cool' factor with your friends (assuming they're not Lite-weights).

Try to buy your gear from a local shop. They are always anxious to talk beer, and the stuff is fresher. Follow directions carefully. I second the comment about sanitation.

The hardest part is waiting 3 weeks for your first taste. Salute!