Welcome to the Forum. :thumb:
"Normal" progress (if there is such a thing) is:
- Start off with a couple of "one-can" kits. (i.e. add your own sugar.)
- Move on to a couple of "two-can" kits. (i.e. all you need is in there.)
These activities allow you to gather around you the Fermenting Vessels and Bottles required. They will also let you see the difference between the two and learn that "longer is better" for most brews and that the promises made on the kits are not strictly accurate! You will probably go for a 2+2+2 system whereby you leave the brew for two weeks fermenting, two seeks carbonating and then two weeks conditioning before you drink any quantity. It teaches patience and persistence.
You may decide that you like using kits and start to "tweak" them with added hops, cold hopping, different adjuncts such as chillies, black treacle, chocolate etc. There are many long-time brewers who stay with kits and never even look at brewing "All Grain"; however, it they do then there is a second line of "normal" progress which is:
- Start with AG kits. They come with all the ingredients and instructions to provide an introduction to the AG possibilities.
- Move on to using recipes that are tried and tested for the particular beer or lager that you like.
- Move on to making up your own recipes whereby you can change just about every parameter there is.
All of these steps can be carried out with home-made gear or by using a specially manufactured bit of kit such as a Grainfather or a Braumeister. They cost a lot of money (over £1,000 in some cases) but they do provide an element of control and sophistication that can make the cos worthwhile.
By the time you reach this last step (regardless of the kit you are using) you may very well be milling your own grain, growing your own hops and inventing your own recipes in search of that very elusive item
"The Perfect Pint".
When this happens,
"WELCOME TO THE CLUB" you have now moved on to where the hobby of HomeBrewing has become an obsession. After a few dozen years you can start arguing with other home-brewers about which is the best way of doing things.
Enjoy! :thumb: