Getting started in home brewing--where to shop online?

I recommend you read the online book at this link, to help decide on what equipment you need, before worrying about a source...

www.howtobrew.com

 

Edit: That was weird. Dupe. Deleted.

 

Midwest Supplies
Northern Brewer
Austin Homebrew
Rebel Brewer
Morebeer

Those are solid choices. Personally if I could find the groupon for the Midwest Starter kit that is what I'd suggest...

EDIT: And a giant +1000 to reading How to Brew first.

 

This is a good discussion on essentials and cost:

http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/start-up-cost-for-home-brewing.43242/#post-544831

 

You should find a local beer club or a friend who brews. Sit in with them when they brew and take note of how they brew and the equipment they use to do it. I don't use half the crap that came in that kit anymore. You've got to start somewhere though.

 

I'll echo others who have said to check out How To Brew first, I probably read through the first few chapters a couple times before I even ordered my equipment. I got the Brewing Starter Kit from Midwest Supplies when I finally took the plunge, and found it very well put together. It's got everything you need, a couple things that aren't absolutely necessary (but you'll be glad to have anyway), and nothing really extraneous. The only problem I've had with Midwest Supplies is that their shipping costs can get expensive, which is why I shop mostly at Brewmaster's Warehouse these days.

 

Personally, I had a great experience with northern brewer when I first got started. Their kits are great. I would suggest getting to know folks at a local homebrew store if you have one nearby. It's great to be able to call your lhbs if you get a stuck sparge for help.

 

I have made several orders through brewmasterswarehouse.com and had no issues with them at all. Their shipping is 6.99 flat rate too (for most orders, all of mine in fact). They have even let me know when there was an issue (i.e. something turned out to be out of stock) and helped me fix the issue handily (replaced with a similar ingredient etc). I will certainly use them again, although now I live where there's a local homebrew store that's great, making life easier on me! But when I lived in the boonies brewmaster's warehouse was a lifesaver.

I especially liked this eight gallon bucket, which unfortunately is currently out of stock, but worth waiting for if you need one.

The things IMO you can't live without...

• wine thief
• auto-siphon
• 6.5 gallon buckets x 2 (or combination of a carboy and bucket, but I prefer the buckets, substitute the 8 gallon bucket linked above for ONE of the buckets/carboys if you can)
• airlock, plastic 3 piece
• thermometer
• gravity meter
• plastic tubing
• bottling wand
• Starsan
• bottle capper
• caps
• brew kettle (at least 5 gallons, bigger is better but smaller than 5 gallons will limit you)

things that help a lot...

• wort chiller
• gram scale

things you will wish you had if you didn't think of it first...

• doors/gates to keep small children, pets, and/or skeptical SO's away from the brewing activity
• get specialty grains GROUND before they are delivered

and don't get too drunk while brewing! good luck!

 

Second this statement. Northern brewer has great kits and equipment. Use a local store if you have one, otherwise I recommend these guys as well 100%

 

Ordered from Northern Brewer...thanks people!

 

In case any more new brewers stumble on to this post I highly recommend this deal my friend got.

http://www.valuebrew.com/collections/home-page-featured/products/valuebrew-starter-bundle

 

you have great ref's above