Newcomer - Strait to extract?

[BeerJam]

Hi i am a total newcomer to brewing. However i have been researching it now and again for the past few weeks; trying to gain as much brewing wisdom as possible .

Now i have watched some videos read some tutorials on extract brewing and i think i could give it a go and hopefully have some success.
Would you say it's fine to skip the kit forms and go strait onto extract brewing?

Another reason for this is that i have a couple of locations nearby where wild hops grow and i would love to use them to make a nice ale.

So good idea skipping the kits? Or a likely recipe for failure?

Cheers

[EramusBlack]

I did a single kit before deciding that I didn't want to follow that particular course and went straight to extract brewing. The equipment you need is basically the same, other than a boiler/stock pot of some description in which to boil the extract and hops.

Providing you understand the need for cleanliness, you shouldn't have any problems.

[potatoes]

go for it! make sure you read "How to brew" http://www.howtobrew.com section 1 first. Though, if you want a great brew with little effort for your first one, try a coopers stout. Never failed me yet...

[boingy]

Yeah, there are no rules. If you want to go straight to extract then go for it. There is more stuff to learn in one go but take your time and double check everything and it should be fine.

If you wanted an easier start then everything you would buy to brew a kit and everything you experienced in the making of that kit would still be applicable to extract (and all-grain should you go that far) so it would not be wasted. Either way, just dive in.

Oh, and welcome to the site!

[BeerJam]

thanks for the advice, that how to brew website its great, learnt so much from it already. later on during the week I will be attempting to brew some blackberry wine, not quite beer yet but its a start. I need to get a few more bits of equipment and then ill get cracking on my first beer.