Starter kits

Discuss making up beer kits - the simplest way to brew.
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adam1010

Starter kits

Post by adam1010 » Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:07 pm

Hi I am a complete novis at this, would love to start to make my own beer and am just wondering if anyone can help me reguarding starting kits? I have around 100pounds to spend? Any help or advise very welcome

pokerswazi

Re: Starter kits

Post by pokerswazi » Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:27 pm

A friend of mine asked me the same thing. there are a bunch of cheap starter kits out there and they all do the job. I like the look of the coopers starter kit. For a novice who wants to give it a go you'll have everything you need and if you get into it and enjoy it, most of the stuff will be useful if you make the step to partial or full mash brewing.
It's what my mate is getting for christmas now...
This is it, you can find it in the UK at some of the homebrew shops, especially online.
http://www.coopers.com.au/homebrew/hbrew.php?pid=8
Be sure to check out your options though, there are a few...

pokerswazi

Re: Starter kits

Post by pokerswazi » Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:33 pm

check this out too...
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=24275

mickhew

Re: Starter kits

Post by mickhew » Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:55 pm

Looking back at my first kit purchase, I would suggest buying the stuff seperately. Even if you have £100, no need to spend more than you need. I'd start off using plastic bottles for your first brew (cheap 12p sparkling water ones from your local supermarket), that way you can make sure you like doing it, and the taste, before spending too much dosh. To start, I suggest..
1 fermentation 25 ltr bucket, TAP ESSENTIAL
1 hydrometer
1 stirrer PADDLE TYPE
1 can Coopers Bitter, 1 pack beer kit enhancer
1 length of hose, or a little bottler
12x 2ltr plastic bottles mentioned above, and maybe some 500 ml ones, as samplers.
1 tub of cleaner/steriliser.
Other things you may have around the house, can opener, scissors, thin cheap supermarket bleach.
You DON'T need instruction videos, or carbination drops. Instructions come with the Coopers kit, any more queries WE will answer them !

barl_fire

Re: Starter kits

Post by barl_fire » Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:21 pm

When I got all my gear a couple of weeks ago after costing it all up comparing internet dealers versus local home brew shop versus Wilkinsons, the latter came out cheapest, you'll manage to get all those things mickhew lists (bar a FV with tap, making due with a basic Youngs 25l one, but I like the volume markings on it anyway). For £77 I ended up with all that AND a budget keg, thermometer, finings, campden tablets, extra sterilizer, a CO2 injector and a set of 10 bulbs). I went for a two tin Wherry kit, but the Coopers bitter with BKE would be very tempting too :)

scottmoss

Re: Starter kits

Post by scottmoss » Wed Dec 09, 2009 8:53 am

Hi,

I would suggest looking at this page:-

http://www.thethriftyshopper.co.uk/brew ... tegoryid=3

They are really good deals and a couple of my friends just ordered the starter kits from them.

adam1010

Re: Starter kits

Post by adam1010 » Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:14 pm

Thanks guys for the advise and help!!

I went for the Coopers Starter kit, seen some videos on youtube of a guy showing you what to do using the same kit, so went for that one!

Will let you all know how i go when the kit arrives.

Cheers Adam

mat69

Re: Starter kits

Post by mat69 » Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:38 pm

i got the coopers starter kit when i started,the fermenter comes with tap and airlock i wouldnt swap it for anything else,i dont use the bottles now (the beer seemed to take ages to clear in them)all in all though a good starter kit..

pokerswazi

Re: Starter kits

Post by pokerswazi » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:24 pm

Looking back at my first kit purchase, I would suggest buying the stuff seperately. Even if you have £100, no need to spend more than you need. I'd start off using plastic bottles for your first brew (cheap 12p sparkling water ones from your local supermarket), that way you can make sure you like doing it, and the taste, before spending too much dosh. To start, I suggest..
1 fermentation 25 ltr bucket, TAP ESSENTIAL
1 hydrometer
1 stirrer PADDLE TYPE
1 can Coopers Bitter, 1 pack beer kit enhancer
1 length of hose, or a little bottler
12x 2ltr plastic bottles mentioned above, and maybe some 500 ml ones, as samplers.
1 tub of cleaner/steriliser.
Other things you may have around the house, can opener, scissors, thin cheap supermarket bleach.
You DON'T need instruction videos, or carbination drops. Instructions come with the Coopers kit, any more queries WE will answer them !
good on you mate, The coopers kit will not disappoint. welcome to homebrewing. Let us all know how you get on...

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