shiny new

[onedrunkenpig]

Hi,

I am less than a novice and have no idea what equipment I would require to brew my own beers and, as I no longer find that the pubs are selling beers that I enjoy, I want to try and brew my own. This means picking the brains of all who have knowledge on the subject to find out what I need to aquire and how to do all those things that one should do in the correct manner (trying not to poison guests and friends along the way).

Thanks.

[bod]

haha! i noticed Daab was reading this thread, and was half way through a reply before thinking that he'd do a far better job, and there you go!!!! nice one mate!

i'd follow whats been said, with the except of the racking cane, its just something else to sanitise and syphoning is a pain in the ass, where as with a pap on your fermenter, you just attach the sanitised hose, open the tap, and away you go! if your fermenter doesnt have one, you can buy them for less than a quid, and just drill a hole in the bucket to fit it.

if you've looked arround the net, you may have found a variety of different gadgets and tools and methods, but its really easy to make great beer with out these things. the starter kits are perfect to get you going, and will last ages. i've had my barrels for 5 years and they are fine.

when just getting into brewing, there is an initial outlay for stuff, but mostly its a one time purchase, like a capper or a keg. from there on in, its just the price of a kit, or ingredients. having said that though, i always find something else i need(read "want"....) but i always make great brews with the equipment i have.


good luck, and as he said, dnt be affraid to ask about anything, even if you think it might be stupid. :beer

[Horden Hillbilly]

Hi odp,

I can only second (or 3rd!) what has been posted here already, don't be afraid to ask for help if you have a query, I have 25 years brewing experience myself, starting from kits, turning to full mash about 10 years ago. I also make wine from kits.

We are a friendly, happy bunch here and I am more than happy to pass on any tips/advice etc, so don't be shy, fire away!

[onedrunkenpig]

OK Guys,

Got that, brain cells in working order at this time.

What is needed then to brew from one's own ingredients, (hops etc.)

Brain cells now dying slow death by alcohol.

[onedrunkenpig]

I have just realised, I should tell you my favoutite tipple so that I can be advised fully, with all details.

I like the old Fashioned Whitbread type, Dark Mild.

OK, so I am not into the new brews and high alcohols, I like to take longer and have more fun in the tasting than todays 'younger' generation of Lager Louts beside, when did you ever get a, Mild Lout? :beer

[bod]

to brew with your own ingredients, you either need to use malt extract, or start completely from scratch, by mashing your own grains.
to be honest, if you've never done this before i'd go with the extract side of things first, as you can add the extra buckets you need later to go all grain.
for a full boil, you really need at least a 27 litre pan/boiler, plus a starter kit as mentioned above.
Leyland homebrew have a good cheap alternative to the bruheat boilers, they are just as good and almost half the price. http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item586.htm

basically you want to boil up the malt extract along with 20 odd litres of water and some hops, cool it, transfer to the fermenter, add the yeast and wait till its finished fermenting, transfer it to a barrel and drink. theres a wee bit more equipment involved in extract brews than just the kit ones. you'd idealy want an imersion chiller as well to help cool the wort as quickly as possible after the boil, plus a hop strainer is handy, but both both these things can be made at home like most of us have.

look through the extract and recipe forums on here to see what sort of kit people are using and what sort of recipes there are that might take your fancy.



you'd be suprised at the ages of some of us on here, i'm only 26, and theres younger than me! we're not all lager louts.

[Frothy]

The first few brews are the hardest, after that its plain sailing.
I've spent a lot more time researching than brewing so far and thats my advice. A lot of advice I've picked up from the net has really helped.

Matt

[onedrunkenpig]

Ah Gentlemen,

Thank each of you so very much. You have Guided me at last to the 'Light Switch'. The rest is up to me. I have only one thing to add I believe. I too have studied, but my study was in taste, not in making, The experience was all that could be hoped for, I assure you, although the head was lead for days after. Cheers, or in my part of the wolrd - Eichyd Da :beer

[Andy]

Aha, another Welshman! (we have a couple on here already - not me..)

We have a forum map so you can see who's local and add yourself if you want...

http://www.frappr.com/jimsforum