Brewing Master

Question:

#I am just about ready to start brewing my own beer.  I have gotten many #catalogs so far but I really don’t know who or what is the best way to #go and/or get started.  Can anyone recommend a good mail order supplier. #Is getting one of the kits the way to do it?  Thanks in advance. # I highly recommend Charleston Beer Works for mail order.  These guys have the best service I have seen in any business of any type for a long time.  And they have an email address so you can easily get any advice you need, usually in one business day.  But they also give advice over the phone if you can’t wait that long.  Anyway, call 1-800-225-2910 to get a catalog or ask questions.  Ask for Scott if he’s available as he is particularly knowledgable.   I have found that with most companies the kits offer little savings over buying the separate parts to get exactly what you want.  If you are impatient, buy the kit.  If you want to take a little time to figure out exactly what you want then make your own little kit list and then do some math with various distributors.  I did just that and after comparing many alternatives I found that Charleston Beer Works had the best price on what I wanted.  I basically got their deluxe kit with a few extras added in.  Their prices were the best for what I wanted, especially considering they didn’t charge for P&H in the 48 contiguous states.   Regardless of what supplier you decide on, and depending on your budget, I think that you will will get more bang for your buck if you follow these hints: 1.  Insist on glass carboys for both primary and secondary.  They are a little more expensive at the beginning but in the long run you will realize a savings and have fewer sanitation problems (as long as you don’t drop it). 2.  If you get a kit that doesn’t include the following then pay extra for them:  thermometer (dial type is my favorite), hydrometer (you will learn more with this instrument to help you),  a good book (Charles Papazian’s "The New Complete Joy of Homebrewing" is a favorite; also good is Dave Miller’s "Brewing the World’s Great Beers"), a racking cane clip (some may argue this, but in my mind it is the best $1.50 I ever spent). 3.  Make sure you get a bottling bucket and bottle filler.  Bottling is the least fun part of the process but these items make it a little less work. Well, I hope this helps a little.  I am sure some of my opinions will be argued but I merely state my opinion based on my experience.  If you need clarification or other info feel free to email me or post here. Oh, and don’t get caught at the end wondering where your bottles are coming from.  Call all the local bars, etc. and try to secure a good source of non-twist type bottles.  If you have to they can be bought but they are damned expensive.  Most people can manage a free source with a little leg work.  I personally like the 1/2 liter bottles that some German wheat beers come in (and other styles I am sure).  The larger bottle means fewer bottles to fill.   Robert Shields http://www.clemson.edu/~wcampbe

Response:

I am just about ready to start brewing my own beer.  I have gotten many catalogs so far but I really don’t know who or what is the best way to go and/or get started.  Can anyone recommend a good mail order supplier. Is getting one of the kits the way to do it?  Thanks in advance.

An equipment kit is usually the best deal but read my How To file for more info on which equipment is needed. My favorite mail order suppliers are Williams Brewing, Brewer’s Resource, The Beverage People, and Hoptech, all from California. — Metallurgist for International Space Station Alpha My file, How to Brew Your First Beer, containing info on equipment,

terms, brewing processes and troubleshooting, is available via WWW on the Palmer House Brewery and Smithy homepage at http://www.primenet.com/~johnj/ OR FTP ftp.primenet.com/users/j/johnj

Response:

I am just about ready to start brewing my own beer.  I have gotten many catalogs so far but I really don’t know who or what is the best way to go and/or get started.  Can anyone recommend a good mail order supplier. Is getting one of the kits the way to do it?  Thanks in advance. |_|_| PC-Ohio PCBoard OLS      pcohio.com     HST 16.8: 216-381-3320 |_|_| The Best BBS in America  Cleveland, OH  V34 28.8: 216-691-3030

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