New starters

[scouse_bier]

Hi all

As you may have seen on our other thread, we are new to this. So basically what I would like to know is what do you recommend for new starters in terms of getting up to a certain level. i.e, we have a kit fermenting at the moment, should we master this kit technique first (giving it a few goes until we get it right) learning the basics and then step it up the more difficult techniques?

Also what techniques are possible? Is all grain too far and partial mash the highest level a home brewer can achieve?

Eventually we would like to master a beer similar to leffe blonde and a wheat beer like Schneider weisse

Thanks!!!

[Horden Hillbilly]

I brewed kits for a good number of years before I decided to go straight to all grain brewing without doing a malt extract brew. To see how I brew, click on the uk-homebrew link in my signature. All grain brewing is more time consuming, but the step up is worth it, you can easily brew beers which will be as good as a top quality commercial brew.

Have a good browse through the brewday/equipment sections, you will soon pick tips up & decide which is the best direction to take for yourself.

The bottom line is, if I can do it, anyone can!

[mysterio]

Brew a few kits and master things like sanitation, controlling fermentation temperatures, rehydrating yeast, dechlorinating water, bottling/dispensing and so on.

All-grain is where you'll end up if you're serious, like HH says it's not hard to do with a bit of research and maybe £100 max on equipment which you'll recoup.

Eventually we would like to master a beer similar to leffe blonde and a wheat beer like Schneider weisse

Like I said, if you're serious about going all-grain then these two shouldn't be a problem. 'Cloning' commercial beers isn't difficult mainly thanks to the sharing of information in forums like these and the variety and quality of ingredients available today. Once you're ready to take the plunge, and you've done some homework, let us know!

[scouse_bier]

Great tips and advice their lads, cheers!

Fingers crossed for our first brew!