New to home brewing.

[CycloneLogan]

Hello everyone,

Just recently looked into home brewing again after years of not being interested due to some bad experiences from friends home brews.

Honestly didn't realise the scope and sheer amount of different beers and ciders that can be made at home these days.

My plan is to buy some equipment. I want to make my own recipes, however, would you recommend going for a kit first to get used to the processes? Any information will be much appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Welcome to the forum

Could you give us a rough budget as there are so many ways of making beer starting with a big pot and a kitchen cooker to an all in one system like a grainfather.

 

[Dutto]

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:

 

[Sadfield]

Welcome @CycloneLogan.

If your ambition is brew from grain, go straight to it. Many of us have done this, it isn't as daunting as it sounds and there is a wealth of information out there, via great books, forums, blogs, YouTube etc. Anything you'll learn doing kit and extract brewing will be learnt all grain brewing.

Enjoy the ride.

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[CycloneLogan]

Hi guys and many thanks for the informative replies.

I've decided to go for the Northern Brewer deluxe kit with a few added extras. This has 2 carboys and alloys for brewing another batch while 1 batch is in the 2nd fermentation vessel.

Not going down the all grain route yet, but boiling ingredients in a kettle seems far more interesting and fun than the kits you just add water to.

Exciting times ahead!

 

[steve denholm]

Hi guys and many thanks for the informative replies.

I've decided to go for the Northern Brewer deluxe kit with a few added extras. This has 2 carboys and alloys for brewing another batch while 1 batch is in the 2nd fermentation vessel.

Not going down the all grain route yet, but boiling ingredients in a kettle seems far more interesting and fun than the kits you just add water to.

Exciting times ahead!

I've just brought and started using the same kit, (Chinook IPA sitting in a carboy in my downstairs toilet) good luck matey

 

[CycloneLogan]

S

I've just brought and started using the same kit, (Chinook IPA sitting in a carboy in my downstairs toilet) good luck matey

Excellent. Nice to hear that other people are using this kit. Have you had a batch from it yet or still in the fermentation process?

 

[Manxnorton]

hallow n welcome to the obsessive hobby...…
Bri

 

[steve denholm]

S


Excellent. Nice to hear that other people are using this kit. Have you had a batch from it yet or still in the fermentation process?

still in ferment 6 days in, was great fun brewing (though i drank a bit too much in the excitement) ;P

 

[CycloneLogan]

still in ferment 6 days in, was great fun brewing (though i drank a bit too much in the excitement) ;P

Haha yeah I can see that happening. I'm just so eager to get started. It's exciting to Think you can make your own beer with any flavours you like

 

[Gerryjo]

Hi guys and many thanks for the informative replies.

I've decided to go for the Northern Brewer deluxe kit with a few added extras. This has 2 carboys and alloys for brewing another batch while 1 batch is in the 2nd fermentation vessel.

Not going down the all grain route yet, but boiling ingredients in a kettle seems far more interesting and fun than the kits you just add water to.

Exciting times ahead!

Hi and welcome e to the forum..
If you're intrigued about AG(All grain) then Geterbrewed do stovetop kits for which you'll have all the necessary equipment in your kitchen cupboard but will certainly give you an insight as to what is involved on a smaller scale.
Be warned that if you go this route there is a lot more the involved to getting your grain to sort but once in the fermenter the process is identical.
Biggish pot or a few smaller ones,big spoon and a collander,sieve and your on your way.
Good luck with your brew and don't be afraid to ask any questions as we've all been there...[emoji106]

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[dad_of_jon]

Hello everyone,

Just recently looked into home brewing again after years of not being interested due to some bad experiences from friends home brews.

Honestly didn't realise the scope and sheer amount of different beers and ciders that can be made at home these days.

My plan is to buy some equipment. I want to make my own recipes, however, would you recommend going for a kit first to get used to the processes? Any information will be much appreciated.

Cheers!

Greetings,

i'd suggest a good quality two can kit to start with as if your first brew turned out meh- it might put you off. plus its all there for you. You're going to need a fermenting vessel (usually ar 25 litres food grade plastic bucket with lid) whatever route you choose. Or go extract, get 2.5kg of dried malt extract (choose from extra light,light,medium,dark, extra dark depending on what style of beer you want) and 500g of dried wheat extract - its for head retention. Boil some hops and add at fermentation and do a hop tea before packaging your beer. All grain is also possible but more steps needed, a mash and sparge required, but it is cheaper than extract and kits.

above all post your plans on the forum if you have any queries and the kind souls that frequent it will help you on your journey.

 

[BeerisGOD]

There's nothing wrong going straight to all grain but I'd strongly recommend reading the water treatment thread on here first so if you use your local water supply its beer friendly

 

[CycloneLogan]

Thank you for all your replies guys, much appreciated. Definitely going to buy the Northern Brewer deluxe kit and start from there.

All grain is interesting but going to begin with the extract method. Be about a week or 2 before I get my kit so lots of reading and video watching to do in the meantime.

 

[steve denholm]

Thank you for all your replies guys, much appreciated. Definitely going to buy the Northern Brewer deluxe kit and start from there.

All grain is interesting but going to begin with the extract method. Be about a week or 2 before I get my kit so lots of reading and video watching to do in the meantime.

Don't forget your kettle :)

 

[IainM]

Welcome to the best hobby in the world. I reckon it's best to start with kits or extract, to nail the basics of sanitation and fermentation first before investing the time in all grain. Happy brewing!

 

[GerritT]

Are those carboys made of glass?

 

[steve denholm]

Are those carboys made of glass?

they are indeed one 5g one 6g

 

[Gerryjo]

they are indeed one 5g one 6g

Super lightweight[emoji57]

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[Chippy_Tea]

Super lightweight[emoji57]

It'll make carrying the 23Kg in them a lot more comfortable.