What to start homebrewing what do I do?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by BreakingBad, Oct 3, 2012.

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  1. BreakingBad

    BreakingBad Initiate (0) Sep 17, 2012

    Can someone help me out here? I want to start home brewing but I don't even know where to begin. Is there anyone in the Chicagoland area that can "show me the ropes"? Are there any good youtube channels that can help me out?
     
  2. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

    I suggest you begin with something simple using malt extract.This doesn't require a lot of equipment so you can feel your way and if you enjoy doing it and the results you can then move on to using all grain.
    Something like a session mild or bitter fits the bill; a beer of this strength has the enormous advantage of being ready to sample within days making it easy to test your skills.
     
  3. gtermi

    gtermi Initiate (0) Apr 21, 2010 Texas

    Get a homebrew kit off the Internet, buy some star San, get an all grain kit and a 5 gallon stainless steel pot and ur good to go. That's all I did and now after 9 months of brewing, I have 85 gallons under my belt and doing all grain
     
  4. Spaceloaf

    Spaceloaf Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2008 Oregon

    I highly recommend getting a book. Watching someone who knows what they are doing is helpful, but you'll get much more out of it if you know the basic principles and science before hand.

    The two most recommended books are (you only need one of them):
    1) How to Brew
    http://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888/
    2) The Complete Joy of Homebrewing
    http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Homebrewing-Third-Edition/dp/0060531053/

    Secondly, you want to find your Local Homebrew Store (LHBS). They usually have starter kits that are significantly better than the commercial crap you get online (e.g Mr. Beer). Their kit will be tried and tested with the specific recipes they offer, and the recipe kits will have fresh ingredients (instead of questionable yeast and hops that have lost all flavor). They will also gladly give advice and help (after all, it's in their interest to get you hooked). They may also have free demos every once in a while so you can see what you're getting into.
     
    JrGtr likes this.
  5. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    You can read John Palmer's "How to Brew" (an old edition) on line for free, then buy the updated hard copy edition later if you want....

    www.howtobrew.com
     
  6. JimKal

    JimKal Savant (1,213) Jul 31, 2011 North Carolina

    This is great advice. You will pay a little more but the advice and the local resource is worth it. My local guy has helped me with some really basic questions that seem to be missing (or hard to find online). He has also helped me with recipes. right now I am using malt extract and enjoying the beer quite a bit. Welcome to a new hobby that gives you the opportunity to share a great tasting brew with your friends.
     
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