Brubox --> 'Standard' Method

[oldskooladdict]

I have a Brupacks Brubox, which I've used twice and I have one kit left to make. This seems to work fairly well, however, my choice is restricted to the 15-16 beers they offer, so I think it's time to move to a 'standard' kit method.

The starter kits are all around 40-60 quid, however, I don't think I need most of it?!

I have all the tubing, steralising powder, thermometer, hydrometer, trial jar etc which I use with my BruBox and my Turbo Cider attempts, so, if I am bottling will I only need a fermenting vessle, and a large plastic spoon?!

By the looks of it, this will do it:
http://www.thethriftyshopper.co.uk/brew ... m-tap.aspx

Then I can basically get any kit, from the hundreds out there and get going?

Can people confirm it really will be this simple to start (since I already have some bits), and can anyone reccomend some good brands of kits which make decent beer, not especially worried about cost, more quality, with a heavy bias to the Belgian side of things!

[fractureman]

looks good mate guess you have bottles/keg to put in once it has brewed??

[oldskooladdict]

Yeah, I'll be bottling so I can put it in the fridge, got a few of the 1l soda water bottles and some 2l ones (sainsburys do 2l of soda water for 13p!!)

[sidneybigbrew]

how was the brew box to use
did it turn out a good pint
think i might get my dad one for xmas

[oldskooladdict]

The first one I did was as trappist tripple. which I enjoyed. I've done a London Bitter one (what the kit came with) which is in the fridge now and will be for another 2 weeks or so. I've got a Belgian White Beer on the go in there atm, it smells nice but I can't comment on the taste.

It sounds weak but the fact that it's in a half decent box makes it look better for a present than just a large bucket lol.

Bear in mind it's only intended for 6 brews max, only does 10l (more like 9 imo) and there's limited choice of around 16 beers.

Hope that helps (about the only homebrew knowledge I have haha, so glad to share)

[scottmoss]

I've found thethriftyshopper to be really helpful so give them a ring if you need a equipment kit making up.

Moving on to making other larger kits is nearly the same process as the brubox, you will find it really easy to move over.

[oldskooladdict]

How do I tell which kits need extra stuff, and how do I know what quantities?!

[scottmoss]

Extra stuff?

All the premium 3kg kits require not extra sugar the 1.5-1.8kg kits do require extra sugar. Generally most kits are for 40 pints (22.7 litres) except for the brupaks world and brewferm (which state on the cans).