Complete n00b.. what to buy

[jonewer]

Hello all,

I have never brewed my own before but at last have enough space to set up. I plan on starting at the bottom with kits and working my way up to grain when I'm competent.

The closest supplier to me is a Wilkinsons store, but I'm baffled as to what I need to buy. Obviously I need a 1.6kg(ish) kit and a fermentation bucket, but what other equipment do I need? (bearing in mind I'm the worlds biggest cheapskate)

Thanks all.

[MightyMouth]

You will need a long plastic or stainless spood to stir it with, some campden tablets to treat the water unless you are using bottled water which is not a bad idea as if you get your water in 2 litre bottles you could then use them to bottle the beer in. the ultracheap asda or tesco water is fine. You really need a tap or a racking cane and some flexible PVC tubing to get the beer out of the Bucket.

[jonewer]

Spoon and campden tablets should be fine... do I need a hyrdometer and thermometer? I guess at 12p for 2l, the bottled water might not be such a bad idea.... around £1.20 for 40pints I'd guess.

Sorry if this is daft, but it seems that the basic 1.7kg kits need suplementing with additional malts and sugars to avoid a watery brew?

Also, I like heavily hopped beers, is there a method of getting more hops in? Can you just boil some hops in a pan and strain into the fermentation?

Can anyone recommend a good online supplier?

Thanks guys.

[MightyMouth]

If you get a 1 can kit then you need a kilo of sugar or better yet spray malt, you wont get spray malt at wilkos though they do sell Beer Kit enhancer which is part spray malt part sugar. You can steep some hops in water and add directly to the FV or draw off some of the wort after mixing and steep in that for 10 minutes. you can also dry hop in the fermenter just by adding hops in a hop bag. I would suggest that you do your first kit as per the directions using bottled water, dont deviate to make it stronger or add anything as then you can get the feel of how it is expected to turn out then adjust from there.

[MightyMouth]

Oh, You also need something to sanitise the equipment and make sure you rinse thoroughly after sanitising.

[jonewer]

Thanks, I might order this lot

http://www.brewgenie.co.uk/index.php?p0=detail&id=265#

30 litre brewing bin,
Lid and grommet,
Bubbler airlock,Plastic mixing spoon
Syphon kit,
Tub of sterilizer,
5 gallon beer barrel complete with S30 gas injector cap,
Best Bitter 40 pint beer kit with instructions.

Does it sound alright?

[Jerry Cornelius]

That will certainly get you started. Imho you also want a thermometer and hydrometer - if you tried this kit you would get them, plus a good quality beer kit (although you don't get a barrel, and will need to collect some bottles). If you do go down this road, the Little Bottler is an essentail bit of gear.
Whichever way you choose, good luck and Happy Brewing

[dandan]

30 litre brewing bin,
Lid and grommet,
Bubbler airlock,Plastic mixing spoon
Syphon kit,
Tub of sterilizer,
5 gallon beer barrel complete with S30 gas injector cap,
Best Bitter 40 pint beer kit with instructions.

It looks like you get a Brewmaker kit with it!! which from my experiance is like dish water!!

Greg at BrewUK has some decent bigger kits BrewUK I've used him for my starter kit, email him and he'll be able so sort your needs with a good price!

the basic equipment i would say you would need is:
* Fermenter & Lid
* Syphon
* Airlock
* Thermometer
* Hydrometer & Testing Jar
* Steriliser
* Little bottler or tap

If your thinking of a 5 gallon beer barrel, make sure its the ones that take the refillable bottles (not the bulbs), and get a 50p turkey baster from wilkos to attach to the tap of the barrel (makes pouring the beer easier)

[jonewer]

Oh well, just ordered a wherry kit from The Brew Shop

Hope its a good choice....

[Chris46]

Oh well, just ordered a wherry kit from The Brew Shop

Hope its a good choice....

It is

[easty]

hi
if you want to do it on the cheap, i d forget the airlock i've never used one, use cheap own brand thin bleach for sanitizing. & 2 litre plastic pop bottles

[jonewer]

WooHoo! Got me kit in the post today...

No instructions other than whats printed on the outside of wherry box.... is it really that simple?

[jonewer]

OK, today was brew day. I measured OG at 1032 @ 26C when I sprinkled the yeasty beasties in... How long till I see signs of fermentation?

[dandan]

OK, today was brew day. I measured OG at 1032 @ 26C when I sprinkled the yeasty beasties in... How long till I see signs of fermentation?

The OG seems a little low!! Whats your hydrometer rated at? if its like mine rated at 15oc your OG works out at 1035, so if the kit goes down to 1010 you'll have a 3.3% Brew!

It usually takes 12-24hrs for signs! but being your first brew bet you've looked every hour atleast, I know i did

Good luck and post how it goes!!

[Mogwyth]

Every Wherry I have done started out at about 1040, 1032 does indeed seem very low.

Cheers

Bill