Hello! First time Home Brewer question.

You're right. That kit (or any brewing starter kit) does not have the stuff you'd need for kegging.
Most people start off bottling rather than kegging. And the kit does have stuff to support that.

Read www.howtobrew.com
Either read the free online version or buy the inexpensive print version. It will answer questions you don't even know you have yet.

Plastic is okay, and if treated correctly (particularly by avoiding scratches) can last a long time. I prefer glass fermenters, which in my opinion are easier to clean, and are also not permeable to O2 like plastic, so glass is more suitable for longer term conditioning when needed. But if you go with glass, treat it with respect, because it can be dangerous if it breaks. So take appropriate precautions (like using a brewhauler when moving and gloves when handling).

 

Welcome to the BA site, Kyle, and to the Homebrewing forum and to this crazy, but very satisfying hobby.

I agree with everything that VikeMan said, and I can't emphasize enough to have you read How To Brew asap. I'll also recommend that you read back 8-10 pages here in the Homebrew forum because your type of newbie question gets asked a lot and you'll see many more answers than what you may get in response to your post here. Your personal situation (living in a house or apartment, ambient temps in the room where you might place your fermenter, type of stove that you have for the brewing, etc.) are important factors that you need to consider to do this right, and those topics are included in many of the recent threads.

 

A word of advice from somebody who brewed 4 batches then quit for 4 years because he didnt think he could make a good beer. Temperature and sanitation are key. I wrecked my first 4 batches because i used pbw instead of star san and my house didnt get below about 75 degrees. After 4 years of reading up on it I tried again and this time with a temp controlle ferm chamber and a lot of star san my beers are all prettty decent. Don't get discouraged.

 

Hi Kyle:

Welcome to the obsession! I'm looking over the list of stuff you'll get. I'll be honest. I don't like the idea of a gift card, nor the idea of a 5 gallon kettle. One of the first things you need to do, and one of the hardest things you'll need to do, is decide how big our batches, and subsequently how big your brewery is going to get. Typical batch sizes are 5 gallons. That's about 2 cases of beer. If you want to go smaller, you can. If you want to go bigger, you can. Recipes are typically adjusted proportionally to the batch size you want. That part's easy. If you like to cook, you have some space, and a couple hundred dollars, you can get a pretty decent setup going.

I generally try to talk the newbies into finding a homebrew club, or a friend who brews. Homebrew clubs usually don't force you to join right away. Entry is a decent commercial 6er and you'll have a good time. You rub elbows, and next thing you know you're invited over for a brew session. Learn how others brew and get a ton of questions answered.

BA is a great way to learn how to get going, but there are so many ways to take flight that what works for me propbably won't be best for you.

Try here for a club near you: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/community/clubs/find-a-homebrew-club/ and don't be afraid to post back with specific questions on gear.

 

Hi Kyle,
Welcome to the forum.

Read HowtoBrew. Read more. Ask questions here or on other forums. The homebrew community is very helpful. If you have a local homebrew shop, you can try to ask questions there, too, but a word of advice. Not everyone who works at homebrew shops is an experienced brewer; some of the advice that newbies walk away with and report here has been suspect.

Even advice issued here requires your careful consideration. One thing you'll find is that for many questions posed here, there can be a difference of opinion, and typically there is validity to each (well, to most). You have to decide what is best for you and your set of circumstances. There is never a single best way to do something that works universally. For example. your question about glass or plastic. For me, plastic wins the plastic vs. glass question, for safety reasons. The layout of my home requires me to navigate stairs with my 5-6 gallon batches of beer. I prefer to do this with the plastic. I also find it easier to get inside a plastic bucket to clean it out than it is to get inside a glass carboy.

 

Hey Kyle ,

Welcome to an outstanding hobbie and a path to great beer. Tons of info and advice here. I like glass for secondarying big beers but plastic works for me for pales and IPAs where secondarying is not always required. Look thru the posts and have fun.

 

The expense of a keg was what deterred me. Not only do you buy the kegging equipment but you also need an ample sized refrigerator to keep it cool. While bottling is more labor intensive and time consuming, if you have a few hours it actually is kinda fun capping all the bottles of your own brew. Good luck, keep good notes.