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Post by BoilerUp! on May 14, 2015 14:59:03 GMT
My husband has mentioned that he would be interested in a beer making kit. I think it would be a fun and interesting hobby for him, BUUUUUT, I don't know where to begin . . . Can anyone suggest a nice starting point from experience? We saw a kit at Menards, but I am afraid of buying something and it being really cheap, so I'd rather go with a kit that someone can "endorse" so to speak. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am planning on this being his fathers day gift, so I am in no rush, but just want to be prepared. Thanks  |
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Post by padresfan619 on May 14, 2015 15:01:31 GMT
www.mrbeer.com/mrbeer-premium-beer-kitThis is the one my brother got for Christmas several years ago. The beer was pretty good! I wasn't really around for the actual process but it must have been simple since he was a first-timer.
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Post by BoilerUp! on May 14, 2015 15:26:53 GMT
Thanks padresfan619 - Glad to know it didn't taste to bad! I went to Amazon first, and my mind is spinning with all the variety! Some have the actual "beer" ingredients, some don't. |
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Deleted
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Apr 25, 2024 10:00:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 15:31:00 GMT
Northernbrewer.com
That's where dh gets the majority of his stuff. They do have kits.
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Montannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486 
Location: Big Sky Country
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Post by Montannie on May 14, 2015 16:11:43 GMT
Do you have a local homebrew store? They probably have kits available, and are generally a wealth of information for newbies.
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Post by Dictionary on May 14, 2015 16:56:34 GMT
I second the Mr Beer Kit we bought this one for my son a few years back, it had decent reviews. Premium Kit It contains everything you need and will say beer making has a ton of options so if he wants to expand from here he has all the basic supplies and will just need to venture out and order more beer ingredients, for that I would try some of the better beer making suppliers. I view the Mr Beer for the novice. My son experimented with his adding fruit/jellies, etc. He used a heating pad to help keep the beer warm as well. Also BevMo or I imagine your own local liquor store may also sell supplies. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 17:00:27 GMT
I second looking for a local home-brew store. Not only can you get your supplies, but you can get a ton of information - which, for newbie brewers, is invaluable.
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,983
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Post by blue tulip on May 14, 2015 17:04:25 GMT
I third looking at a local home brew store for a kit. Mr. Beer has it's applications, but really it's a pretty juvenile kit. DH had that, the beer he made was pretty shitty lol. probably not all the kit's fault.  he makes really good stuff now, he bought a kit thru the local store with glass carbuoys and all the accompanying things. he gets his ingredients there too for the most part. it's a much better set up for anyone who thinks they might want to get halfway serious about it. plus, the glass ware won't soak up the flavors and decompose like a plastic Mr. Beer. no offense to those who bought them, but I wouldn't even waste your time on that one.  |
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,983
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Post by blue tulip on May 14, 2015 17:05:53 GMT
oh, and I would get him the kit, a recipe book, and a gift card to the brewery supply place. rather than purchase the ingredients ahead of time. |
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Deleted
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Apr 25, 2024 10:00:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 17:10:35 GMT
I second looking for a local home-brew store. Not only can you get your supplies, but you can get a ton of information - which, for newbie brewers, is invaluable. I third that. When DH first started brewing, he went to a local brewery that had a homebrewing store as well. (Bell's if anyone wants to know. I love their General Store!) He was able to find stuff there cheaper than some of the online stores and actually smell the grains and get smaller portions. Many breweries will have a homebrewing class. I know of at least 5 different breweries in MI that have homebrewing classes, clubs and competitions. A new local brewery started out as part of those classes and competitions and has become DH's favorite place to go. Where are you located? |
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Post by BoilerUp! on May 14, 2015 18:07:14 GMT
Do you have a local homebrew store? They probably have kits available, and are generally a wealth of information for newbies. No, unfortunately, the closest local homebrew store is over an hours drive from us.  |
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Deleted
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Apr 25, 2024 10:00:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 18:24:47 GMT
Northernbrewer.com is how my son started and he continues to use their products after 10 years.
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Post by padresfan619 on May 14, 2015 18:28:08 GMT
FTR, you can continue to use the Mr Beer kit with your choice of brewing ingredients. I suggested it because the kit has easy to follow instructions for a novice and the bottles can be used over and over. My brother started with the ingredients included in the kit but he has done a few other varieties of his own choice.
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
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Post by mimima on May 14, 2015 18:28:39 GMT
I walked into a local homebrew store and bought a kit from there, and a book about homebrewing. Dh now brews all his beer.
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he makes really good stuff now, he bought a kit thru the local store with glass carbuoys and all the accompanying things. he gets his ingredients there too for the most part. it's a much better set up for anyone who thinks they might want to get halfway serious about it. plus, the glass ware won't soak up the flavors and decompose like a plastic Mr. Beer. no offense to those who bought them, but I wouldn't even waste your time on that one. 
