Starting out

[Miso Jace]

What are good kits for beginners?

Is the Beer Machine that I've seen advertised online a good product, or a waste of time?

I eventually want to brew properly, doing it all from scratch, but I want to take some baby steps with a kit first.

Any recommendations?

[Jim]

I'm not up with current kits (though I'm sure someone will soon advise on that), but the reports by people who have used the beer machine are not encouraging.

[alefric]

Don't know anything about the beer machine!..........going the normal kit route look for 3KG kits that dont require additional sugar. Brupaks and Woodfordes seem to be popular.Also have a look at hints,tips and techniques on this site......BTW its a good idea to try with kits first,it teaches some of the basics.......i started the same way.

good luck

Andrew

[Bru4u]

hi and welcome MJ,
My favourite kit is the Brewmaker Best of British, India Pale Ale, I've done a few of them now, Ive done 22 Kits in total,
the kit brewing is a good introduction to brewing and will give a basis for when you move on to grain or partail mash or extract brewing.
Regds
Bru

[Miso Jace]

Cheers for the tips! I love IPA so that sounds like a good one.

The convenience o=and speed of the Beer Machine intriuged me, but it does seem to be a rather soulless way to homebrew.

[Ditch]

Considering the drama and heartache so many here are encountering with Muntons sticky stuff, I'd suggest any beginner be steered well and truly away from that route to misery. BruPak have an extremely good reputation. I'd put my money on them.

Just to add; When all's said and done, I think getting ones head around the esoterics of Sanitisation should be the first concern. After all, we can't do damn all until we've sanitised. Get that wrong and all we do will fall apart anyway. Thus I've read up on the subject, here, till my eyes have bled. I've practised a few favoured methods - wrecking a brew along the way and now I'm happy with my Iodoform.

But it's the happy confidence that I'm sanitising right that allows me to relax and so everything else run smooth as clockwork and be pleasant, rather than a nerve wracking challenge.

[PMH0810]

I've had no aggro with VWP - how does idophor differ/work

[maxashton]

Iodophor is no-rinse, doesn't impart off flavours, and is easier for newbies to not cock up.

I don't really think any of the kits are difficult. With the exception of the Brupaks kits, which use hop bags and such that require steeping.

Sanitize, whack the kit in, whack some sugar on top, boiling water, top off with cold.

[BlackBag]

I agree. Just grab any basic kit that takes your fancy (don't be worried by taking something with Muntons name on it. Apparently behind the scenes everything is Muntons anyway as they have the last malt extract canning plant in Britain). Sterilise well, follow the instructions, and have fun. So long as you take your time everything should be just dandy.

[maxashton]

Incidentally, stay away from the beer machine. I got one for a mate on the cheap as a gag gift and he says it's vile.

[CyberPaddy66]

I do the Geordie kits, fine for me so far

[mysterio]

Coopers IPA is a great kit, made up with 500g of Muntons spraymalt & 300g of sugar. Nice, flavourful, quaffable ale. I still make this one up now and again even though i'm all-grain.