Where do I start?

[awilki01]

About 5 years ago, my wife bought me a Mr. Beer. I only made a couple of batches, but I did have fun doing it.

So, now, I'm looking at possibly getting back into it. Where is a good place to start? There is so much information out there. Would you recommend a starter kit? If so, where should I get it?

I'm just kind of overwhelmed at all the information that is out there on this..... I just need a nudge in the right direction.

[Bruno_78]

Right here is where I started. Everything I know, I've learned from the other members here at realbeer.com.

I got a $50 equipment kit for my birthday last year, and went from there.

There are a lot of online resources and great books to guide you along.

Perhaps, you should locate a homebrew supply store near you and take a look at what they have to offer.

Welcome to the board.

[Heycock]

Buy a book! Sometimes the things you read here on the board or on the internet are more complex than you need to be thinking about for a first brew, or they're talking about individual brewing problems that (fingers crossed) won't happen to you on your first brew. So I would start by reading a book with a good overview. 'The New Completet Joy of Home Brewing' is great and it covers everything you need. Its also a good intro to all grain brewing.

Also I would buy an equipment kit. You can find these on any home brewing web site or usually at your home brew store.

Third, start simple and with a beer you like. Ales require less temperature restrictions so they're the best choice for beginners. And start extract, like I said... best to start simple.

And last, a piece of advice. If you get an ingredient kit, I recommend getting liquid yeast. They come with dry yeast but the beer usually turns out better with liquid. You can get all of this on the internet or a brew store if you have one near you.

[wedgeseven]

Well I just started brewing about 2 months ago and everyone on here sent me to an online book ( www.howtobrew.com) which pointed me in the right direction so I say check that out. As was said in the last reply find a local homebrew store check it out and ask some questions, Im sure there are a few people from the dallas area on these boards maybe they can recomend a store.

[Blkandrust]

Homebrewing for Dummies,lit a fire under my butt,and got me moving in the right direction.Excellent book.

[toneyc]

I'm more of a hands on kinda person so I sat in on a brew session of a friend of a friend. I know that we have Dallas area members and I almost certain one of them wouldn't mind company on a brew day. And if'n ya can't find someone up there, c'mon down here! We'll get you set up in no time.

Hey, wedgeseven, what kind of pipe ya got there? I am a pipe smoker, too.

:)
Toney.

[wedgeseven]

The pipe in the picture is a Gandalf replica made by some guy on ebay. Fully functional and measures 16.5in long. I don't actually smoke, but thought it was one of the coolest things ever so I couldn't resist buying it.

[b3s]

nothing like a decent clay pipe...still trying to replace my (long since broken into small pieces) churchwarden with a decent clay.