Thread: Brewing for beginners

Hmm .Don't know what starter kits are available at the moment Matt. I've got an old Olinda fermenter barrel that will do 56 bottles. I use two brew packs at a time, Coopers being my favourite., just enjoying a dark ale at the moment and it's tops. Have got a Bavarian ale by Coopers in the Barrel brewing at the moment. My son brews into barrels and uses gas to carbonate it, I just use the sugar in the bottles to do the same. You must have a home brewing store near you somewhere that would be the best placeto start. Or just punch in home brewing in Google and prepare to spend a lot of time surfing.

Paul

Coopers starter kit (Big W) - brew bin and all the hardware you need...
Sanitiser for cleaning and Sodium Metabisulphite for sterilising
Brew kit (Big W) - try a Coopers first (so you won't be too disappointed)
Either use white sugar (1 kg) OR
for a nicer brew Coopers Brew Enhancer 2
Follow the instructions
Don't get bogged down with hydrometers... just wait until there's NO MORE brewing activity in the bin - then bottle it...
I NEVER use an airlock...
Tear off a piece of clingwrap and seal the top of the bin with this - just a pinhole in it... you can see what's happening..
Go here for advice and wisdom:
http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/
Skol / Prost / Here's to you...
Jedo

I started with the Coopers kit that the wife bought me for an Xmas present last year. You get the barrel , 30 bottles which is enough to bottle you first brew. A coopers lager kit, spoon, hydrometer and a how to brew video. I have a swag of recipies but the coopers kits are simple to make and taste pretty good as well. I nomally leave the brew in the barrel for two weeks before i bottle and then leave it for the second stage of fermentation another 2-3 weeks before tasting. I hardly ever test the SG as the fementing process does what I need it to do. I can send you a copy of a list I have here to make about 44 different types of beers if you like just PM me with your details.

I'm looking for a meter of 50mm,40mm and 25mm copper pipe and I'm going to go big time! Got a plan of a reflex still that I'm busting to put together, and make my own spirits. Yep I'm feeling suicidal lol.

Paul

Fantastic stuff, Cheers for such a quick reply!!!! I shall do a bit of research into my closest home brew shop! I shall head into Big W this week and get one of the coopers starter kits as they sound like the go!! Bluegum i have sent you a pm regarding that list!! Can't wait to get started now!!

Like all things...
Start simple and progress from there...
Don't try too complicated brew recipes at first...
Coopers K&K is a good place to start...
Plenty of time to get into the technicalities of adding this and that MALT, and this and that HOPS, and this and that GRAINS, and CORNFLOUR, and GOLDEN SYRUP, and CHICKEN GUTS... and discussions of IBU's...
Just go for the KISS principle...
Find out what you LIKE...
Learn HOW TO...
Then learn WHAT TO...
Browse the homebrew.com forum...
Keep eveything CLEAN - SANITISED - STERILISED
Always START your yeast BEFORE you mix your wort... Add your kit yeast to tepid water in a CLEAN bottle - 2 hpd tsp sugar - shake until the yeast is dissolved/hydrated... wait... shake again... wait again until the trub is frothing... It's ready to pitch then... NOW you can mix your wort...
Let us know how you go...
Jedo

or try

http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/

Start of simple and slowly work your way up, and enjoy