getting started

[hopjack13]

well , i've decided to take up brewing ,as beer has been a passion of mine sence i took my first drink. this is something i keep saying im going to do for about 5 years now . so come january first im going to get started. i'd like to ask all of you brewers for your help and suggestions here on how to get started.
whats the minimum amount of equipment i need to make a really good brew? also what books should i be reading to prepare?
thnx
hopjack

[b3s]

www.howtobrew.com -- everything you need to know to get started with your first beer.

your basic starter kit at any homebrew store will get you going....don't forget to get a pot big enough to boil in :)

[Stodbrew]

When I first started home brewing, The Complete Joy of Homebrewing, by Charlie Papazian was indespinsible. It gave very clear directions about what to do, what you need to start and how to build things you might need. It was also a very entertaining read.

Steve

[toneyc]

Come to that, the instruction sheet that comes with your first recipe will tell exactly what to do and when to do it. Just read it over carefully two or three times and answer any questions before you start, because once you start brewing you really don't want to have to make a run out to the store. There are things that you'll learn as you go, like how to watch for a boilover, or don't let the nylon bag sit on the bottom of the brew pot with the fire on, and where to put things so they make sense to you, but it really is easy to make great beer. This is the most rewarding hobby that I have ever had. I've been brewing for three years and just started on all-grain brewing. This has caused me to do a lot more reading recently, learning about the technical side of beer. Above all, this board has become an invaluable resource for quick and knowledgeable answers to questions from mundane to esoteric.

:)
Toney.

[S.F.B.]

Originally posted by hopjack13
well , i've decided to take up brewing ,as beer has been a passion of mine sence i took my first drink. this is something i keep saying im going to do for about 5 years now . so come january first im going to get started. i'd like to ask all of you brewers for your help and suggestions here on how to get started.
whats the minimum amount of equipment i need to make a really good brew? also what books should i be reading to prepare?
thnx
hopjack

I started with a 3.5 gallon enamel pot, 6.5 gallon plastic bucket for primary, 5 gallon glass carboy for secondary, 6' of syphon tubing, thermometer, hydrometer and capper. The only additional piece of equipment I would recommend to start with is an auto syphon. All this should cost in the $65-$80 range.

As far as books go, I recommend Pappazian's "The New Joy of Home Brewing". Simplifies the process for the beginner and the takes you to more advanced brewing when you are ready. I also like Stephen Snyder's "Brew Master's Bible. Not so much for instruction but for recipe formulation and ideas.

If you know someone who brews, go and sit in on a session with them.

Oh, one more thing. Welcome to the most rewarding and addictive hobby I know of.

[fretlessman71]

If you're accident prone in the kitchen like me, you may want to splurge and get a pretty big pot... say 5 gallons or so. I had lots of boilovers and am fairly sure I lost a lot of beer to them. I asked for a turkey fryer for Christmas! :D (Hmmm... a turkey flavored beer NO WAIT.... Beer flavored TURKEY!!!!!! )

[Tweek]

My advice is that if you think you will stick with it, get a 8 gallon pot. That will allow you to do full boils. An undersized pot is a waste of money if you stick with it. Sooner or later youll want to do full boils and will have to pick up a bigger pot.

too bad you are down south, Id invite you over to brew up that 02.

[Jeff]

Fret,

Just to add my $.02 on the boil over issue. I keep a spray bottle of water handy and spray the wort before it comes close boiling over. It has worked very well for me, and keeps you from having to pickup a big heavy pot off the burner or start the turkey fryer again.

[Beerconnoisseur]

I've attached a list of equipment, along with my comments. Hope this helps.

[GunNut76]

I just blow on my wort while stiring to keep a boil-over from happening. I don't worry about bacteria 'cause I'm boiling it anyway.

[bierboy]

A big pot is really benefical. Your beer will really benefit from doing a full wort boil instead of a partial. You can use 33 qt canning pot that costs like $25. You know, the black enamal kind. Also, Sam's Club has a really nice stainless turkey fryer set up for about $70 right now. Also, don't buy a prehopped kit. Buy unhopped malt extract and hops. You'll get a much better product. Never use corn sugar (except for bottling).

[beerturtle]

Just remember what Charlie P. says: Relax, don't worry, have a hombrew. Worrying is the most counterproductive thing to do when brewing. I worry about my carbonation levels after almost every batch ad they've all turned out fine. Welcome to the hobby, no the lifestyle, and good luck!

Cheers!:D

[tj beerman]

My kit arrives on monday, but there were a couple of things that I did to save money.
1. Cut the top off a sanke keg and grind edges smooth (instant full boil pot 16 gal)

2 Fabricate base to hold keg during boil 2" angle iron.

3. Made my own propane burner that is fueled by 1 of my 30 gal cylinders from my RV

only parts I had to buy was a high presure lp hose for a grill to hook up to my burner to the tank
$20.00

value $150

[hopjack13]

WOW!!!! hey thnx for all the tips, info and suggestions. you guys are great! i feel alot better going in to this thing now, i know im not alone ;) thnx again, im going to do as much reading,research and preperation as i can first then when i think i can handle it im gunna dive right in!

[tj beerman]

forgot to mention

1 access to a welder (I have one)
2 lots of scrap steel (where I work plenty)
3 empty kegs

I'm in farm country too bad you can't make good beer from field corn or soybeans
but I have a pole buiding for boiling and a basement that has a wood burner for fermentation and bottling

[hopjack13]

1 & 2 i got covered! i have access to stick , hiliarc and a wire feed!
just don't know where to find the empty kegs.......
but thats ineteresting, i never though of fabbing my own...i could probably make it better then anything i could buy. with a t.i.g.(there's one at work) i could even go stainless steel or aluminium.
i could get real creative hmmm....thnx again, everyone!