Noob Here, Never home brewed and looking into getting into it. Any suggestion on where to start, Youtube home brewing vids, internet forums on home brewing, etc.
Permit me to suggest that step 1 be read the book How to Brew by John Palmer. There is a free online version but I would recommend that you purchase the updated hard copy: https://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Eve...F8&qid=1542666826&sr=8-1&keywords=How+to+brew Read it cover to cover. Cheers!
I started with a 1 gallon starter kit just to see if I liked the process. I think it was $30. Not to much to invest to get started and I still use some of the equipment that came with it. Or brew with a friend if you know somebody.
Going to second brewing with a friend if you can. Look into local homebrew clubs and reach out, in my experience they are very friendly and welcoming. And How to Brew is definitely the right book to start with, so I'll second that too. I would caution you against vendors like Brooklyn Brew Shop, which aren't really suitable for someone who might take the hobby seriously. (They are suitable for, like, maybe groomsmen gifts or something.) Dedicated vendors (MoreBeer is my favorite, but there are lots of good ones) sell good starter kits, and you can also pretty easily assemble your own once you have accumulated a little knowledge, either from friends or from How to Brew.
OK, I will say find a local homebrew shop and drop the money for the gear and brew an extract kit. Or get one online ( https://www.homebrewing.org/Beginning-Homebrew-Kit_p_352.html ) and find a kit. If you like what you did, and are not upset about the money you spent, then read "How to Brew". I only say do this order, because you don't need to read the book to start in on the hobby, and I can say I found "How to Brew" a little over whelming as a person that had been brewing for a while. The extract kits from local shops and the web will have all you need to get started. Once you have a few under your belt you can really start to think about things a little more.
Start with extract. Buy a simple start up. A little investment will go a long way. Read, read, read. Brewing is science and art. So if you like that kinda thing, dive into. It’s a fun hobby! Good luck man! Ask questions here. Lotta very experienced brewers here always willing to help.
To add to what others have said. Read John Palmer's book. Also read Charlie Papazian's The Complete Joy of Homebrewing. Both are invaluable. Find a local brew club or local homebrewer and sit in on a brew session or 3. You can pick up a lot of things that way. There are plenty of starter kits out there, starting well under a hundred bucks. Often you can start with things you have around already, especially the brew kettle. If you have a stockpot 20 qt or larger, you can make an extract batch in there. Brewing it a bit strong then diluting it to top up volume and bring gravity to where it needs to be. As a bonus, if you use near freezing water, you cut way down on wort chilling. Finally, the main things to keep in mind and keep on top of are sanitation, temperature control, sanitation, yeast health / happiness, sanitation and sanitation.
How many bottles of delicious beer would you like to have from your first batch, about 10 or about 50? 10 will give you an idea of you want to continue (which you should ) 50 isn't that much more work/time and a little more up-front cost. Equipment can often be had for a fair price from craigslist. Here’s the rub, you might get stuff on the cheap but if you don’t know what to look for there might be important items missing. Here’s a couple links to basic equipment kits for comparison https://www.morebeer.com/products/home-brewing-kit.html https://www.homebrewing.org/Beginning-Homebrew-Kit_p_352.html While you don’t absolutely have to read the entire book How To Brew in order to get started, it’s a great tool for new and less than new brewers....and it gives a run down of equipment and important, basic techniques. I’ll echo the thought of finding a local homebrew shop, and gauge how eager they are to get you going. This ^ ^ ^ is true.
