Beer Brewers at Home - Can you give me a list?

[Liz CA]

On Hive recommendation I have called a local home brew supply place and have been quoted $200 for a starter kit.

Is this a good price, rather high or seems too low?

I have obviously no clue. I saw a home brewing kit at Williams Sonoma for $40 and most said "not to waste my money on it."

 

Can someone list the absolute necessary items to start with. I think dh will be at that store learning what else to get. I just want him to be able to start with something.

[Liz CA]

:confused1: Someone please...

[*Jen*]

Are you looking for it as a Christmas gift? If not watch for a groupon from Midwest Supplies for the brew kits. My husband ordered one of the their brew kits (not sure which one) along with several of the recipe kits and we have been extremely pleased with the equipment, the recipe kits and their customer service. We had a few broken small items in our original shipment after UPS mistreated the box and Midwest quickly sent out replacement parts.

[Liz CA]

Are you looking for it as a Christmas gift? If not watch for a groupon from Midwest Supplies for the brew kits. My husband ordered one of the their brew kits (not sure which one) along with several of the recipe kits and we have been extremely pleased with the equipment, the recipe kits and their customer service. We had a few broken small items in our original shipment after UPS mistreated the box and Midwest quickly sent out replacement parts.

 

 

Yes, it's supposed to be a Christmas gift. I am completely ignorant of what is required.

I have located a local place. The woman was very helpful on the phone but I would like an unbiased opinion as to what equipment dh needs to start.

He can always add things on later. I also don't want them to think they can sell me anything because I don't know one type of beer from another...Not sure about ordering from Midwest since we are in CA and I was advised to stick with local places for further learning and advice - maybe I call Midwest and see what they are charging for a starter kit to compare prices.

[Liz CA]

Now I checked Midwest and their kits are half of what I was quoted.

Should I order online now or go local where they quoted me $200 for a kit?

 

Is there a list of necessary items someone can provide?

Then I can see what I already have like a large stockpot with lid, etc.

[*Jen*]

I checked their catalogue and my husband started with the Brewing Starter kit. This is what it included and at the end says what you need to add.

 

Brewing Starter Equipment Kit List: $99.99

 

• Instructional Homebrewing DVD

• 5 Gallon Glass Carboy

• 6.5 Gallon Plastic Fermenter with Lid

• 6.5 Gallon Bottling Bucket with Spigot

• 4 Oz. of Easy Clean No-Rinse Cleanser

• Drilled Universal Carboy Bung

• Airlock (Keeps air out of the fermenter)

• Hydrometer (Determines alcohol content)

• Bottle Brush

• Carboy Brush

• Black Beauty Bottle Capper

• Bottle Caps

• Liquid Crystal Thermometer

• Bottle Filler

• Fermtech AutoSiphon upgrade

• Siphon Tubing

• Shutoff clamp

 

 

This kit is great for those who have a few of the other items to brew with already.You still need an ingredient kit, at least a 4 gallon brew pot, beer bottles, and a thermometer. Check out our related products section to the left to add any items you might be missing.

[Liz CA]

I checked their catalogue and my husband started with the Brewing Starter kit. This is what it included and at the end says what you need to add.

 

Brewing Starter Equipment Kit List: $99.99

 

• Instructional Homebrewing DVD

• 5 Gallon Glass Carboy

• 6.5 Gallon Plastic Fermenter with Lid

• 6.5 Gallon Bottling Bucket with Spigot

• 4 Oz. of Easy Clean No-Rinse Cleanser

• Drilled Universal Carboy Bung

• Airlock (Keeps air out of the fermenter)

• Hydrometer (Determines alcohol content)

• Bottle Brush

• Carboy Brush

• Black Beauty Bottle Capper

• Bottle Caps

• Liquid Crystal Thermometer

• Bottle Filler

• Fermtech AutoSiphon upgrade

• Siphon Tubing

• Shutoff clamp

 

 

This kit is great for those who have a few of the other items to brew with already.You still need an ingredient kit, at least a 4 gallon brew pot, beer bottles, and a thermometer. Check out our related products section to the left to add any items you might be missing.

 

 

Thank you! Now I can at least put together a list and see if the local store has added more than necessary or if they are matching up with this list!

[OhM]

That package would be a great starter, I have nothing to add except that dh is a relatively busy brewer (he makes 4-6 brews every year at Christmas to give away, and around 6 more brews over the course of the year just for fun) and he uses Midwest often for supplies - reliable quality, good prices, and fast.

 

You will want to add this to the gift: http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Homebrewing-Third-Edition/dp/0060531053 It it THE homebrew reference book. Dh has many, but this is the one he turns to every.single.time.

 

Hope you all have fun with the gift! "Relax, and have a homebrew!"

[Liz CA]

That package would be a great starter, I have nothing to add except that dh is a relatively busy brewer (he makes 4-6 brews every year at Christmas to give away, and around 6 more brews over the course of the year just for fun) and he uses Midwest often for supplies - reliable quality, good prices, and fast.

 

You will want to add this to the gift: http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/0060531053 It it THE homebrew reference book. Dh has many, but this is the one he turns to every.single.time.

 

Hope you all have fun with the gift! "Relax, and have a homebrew!"

 

I just ordered it! Thank you for the link. I think I will go with Midwest Supplies. I have to check now if the ingredients for the first batch are included in the kit.

[Spy Car]

 

 

Yes, it's supposed to be a Christmas gift. I am completely ignorant of what is required.

I have located a local place. The woman was very helpful on the phone but I would like an unbiased opinion as to what equipment dh needs to start.

He can always add things on later. I also don't want them to think they can sell me anything because I don't know one type of beer from another...Not sure about ordering from Midwest since we are in CA and I was advised to stick with local places for further learning and advice - maybe I call Midwest and see what they are charging for a starter kit to compare prices.

 

The list Jen put up is more-or-less what you need. Some, like a DVD or a thermometer might be optional or something you have.

 

It does not include some big pots for boiling up wort, or supplies (like malt, yeast, or hops) that you need for the actual beer making. The ingredients are best to get "local" as you can go in and smell different hops (the varieties used make a big difference in the taste) and check out different malt and grain options.

 

For the set-up it doesn't matter where you get it as long as you have the gear necessary to finish a 5 gal. batch, as the 1-2 gal set ups are impractical IMO.

 

Also not included was bottles. They can be the biggest pain IMO in beer making as they need to be sanitized and filled one by one. Some serious brewers eventually get kegs, but a wonderful cheap option (is you can source them) is used French champagne bottles. If you have a hotel or restaurant with a friendly bartender who would hold some for you they are so much less of a hassle than 12oz beer bottles and amps up the "presentation value" if you give these as gifts or serve to friends.

 

Bill

[Mom-ninja.]

My poor dh. He has everything he needs to brew beer and it just sits there.

 

One think I wanted to warn you about was the smell. When you have to cook the hops it really stinks. After the first time dh cooked it outside. The smell is that bad.

 

He made a few batches and then we found out I have celiac. No more beer brewing for him. He's now moved on to making wine. He even planted a vineyard in our backyard.

[Spy Car]

I love the smell of hops; however, because spilled wort can make an awful sticky mess it is nice to brew outdoors if one has the option.

 

Bill

[justLisa]

Did someone say beer? :drool5:

[Liz CA]

The list Jen put up is more-or-less what you need. Some, like a DVD or a thermometer might be optional or something you have. It does not include some big pots for boiling up wort, or supplies (like malt, yeast, or hops) that you need for the actual beer making. The ingredients are best to get "local" as you can go in and smell different hops (the varieties used make a big difference in the taste) and check out different malt and grain options. For the set-up it doesn't matter where you get it as long as you have the gear necessary to finish a 5 gal. batch, as the 1-2 gal set ups are impractical IMO. Also not included was bottles. They can be the biggest pain IMO in beer making as they need to be sanitized and filled one by one. Some serious brewers eventually get kegs, but a wonderful cheap option (is you can source them) is used French champagne bottles. If you have a hotel or restaurant with a friendly bartender who would hold some for you they are so much less of a hassle than 12oz beer bottles and amp of the "presentation value" if you give these as gifts or serve to friends. Bill

 

Wow, I can check on those French Champagne bottles. I am learning all kinds of things. The woman from the local store said if I had a large stockpot, it should suffice for the cooking and I do have two sizes. The larger one should be okay.

 

 

My poor dh. He has everything he needs to brew beer and it just sits there. One think I wanted to warn you about was the smell. When you have to cook the hops it really stinks. After the first time dh cooked it outside. The smell is that bad. He made a few batches and then we found out I have celiac. No more beer brewing for him. He's now moved on to making wine. He even planted a vineyard in our backyard.

 

Perhaps the dog and I will be drunk just from the smell. :laugh: We do have a camping stove in case he needs to go outside.

[Spy Car]

 

 

Wow, I can check on those French Champagne bottles. I am learning all kinds of things. The woman from the local store said if I had a large stockpot, it should suffice for the cooking and I do have two sizes. The larger one should be okay.

 

 

If your stockpots prove too small, I would suggest getting the large but very thin inexpensive stainless steel pots that can be had cheap. Because it is basically a water boil you do not need a fancy stockpot.

 

The Champagne bottle work great. I discovered they took a standard bottle cap when I first started brewing in University over (*gasp*) 30 years ago. I was working part-time bartending in a posh fern-bar and had plenty of empties I could help myself too. They saved so much time in cleaning and bottling. They are also designed to trap yeast (look at the concave bottoms) and that helps with home brew just as it does with Champagne.

 

Bill

[Heather in OK]

When my hubby got his started kit, it wasn't that much. I don't remember what it cost exactly but I know it wasn't $200.

 

One think I wanted to warn you about was the smell. When you have to cook the hops it really stinks.

Ugh...yes. When my dh is starting a brew I have to hang out back in the bedroom. The smell makes me nauseated for some reason.

 

My dh is asking for a big brew pot for Christmas. He's been borrowing our neighbor's up until now.

[Hypatia.]

I love the smell of beer brewing. DH usually does it outside, he keeps his brewing set-up in the garage when he's not using it. He brews and I hang out in the garage with the laptop while the kids ride their bikes and play in the driveway, so that's what the smell brings to mind with me! Oh, and a nice hard cider is easy to throw together too.

 

He started out bottling, but it was definitely a bit of a pain. He switched over to kegs a couple years ago, he converted my old chest freezer to a kegerator and I got a new upright freezer out of it. ;) We also keep a keg of carbonated on water on tap, to mix either with soda mixes (like Soda Stream) or whatever else sounds good. I need to remind him to get the cider kegged sometime soon, come January I'm going to want a glass!

[*Jen*]

I don't mind the smell but I was ready to sell his brewing stuff when he had a MAJOR boil over of adding the hops in our rental house on a gas stove that I had no clue how to get into all the nooks and crannies to clean it all out of there. My house smelled like beer every time I cooked something for a week or two.

 

I'll have to let DH know about the champagne bottles.

 

I'll also have to have him change my cider keg to carbonated water when I get PG again. That is a great (and much cheaper option) for the sodastream mixes!.

[Spy Car]

I don't mind the smell but I was ready to sell his brewing stuff when he had a MAJOR boil over of adding the hops in our rental house on a gas stove that I had no clue how to get into all the nooks and crannies to clean it all out of there. My house smelled like beer every time I cooked something for a week or two.

 

You bring back a memory (long suppressed :D) of being in the same boat myself. Not a good mess to have, and boil overs are easy to have if your not no the wort like a hawk. Hard lesson to learn.

 

I'll have to let DH know about the champagne bottles.

 

I've never know anyone else (save friends I've encouraged to try them) who've used Champagne bottles, but those who've tried them love 'em.

 

Bill

 

 

[Jane in NC]

I love the smell of hops but not the smell of malt.

 

As I recently posted elsewhere, my husband picked up a propane burner and turkey fryer pot at a yard sale to use for beer cooking. Works great!

[*Jen*]

I love the smell of hops but not the smell of malt.

 

As I recently posted elsewhere, my husband picked up a propane burner and turkey fryer pot at a yard sale to use for beer cooking. Works great!

 

 

Love this idea! I told my DH that he was moving outside to brew once my new appliances were in after Christmas.

[LifeLovePassion]

Midwest is local to us and they are super helpful!