Alright lads I want to start home brewing and want to start off with a German Hefeweizen, but what equipment do I need. Obviously starting off I don't want to go skint but at the same time I don't want to cut corners that would affect the brew
Hi CL,
Welcome on board.
Cobh is it? Start by getting in touch with us fellow langers in Midleton.
We're pretty random with meets etc. but PM mobile and we'll keep you posted with brewdays.
Best,
John
'Langer brewers' - Has a certain ring to it...
Cheers bud will do, sorry only seeing your comment now
Meetup Friday - keep an eye out here...
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/rebel-brewers/meet-up-17382/
Always think ahead to help save your money. If you decide to do small 5-10 litre batches now and buy a few pots now I can promise you will soon make the step up to 25litre batches so buying those 33litre pots now will save you money even though they cost €100 each they last a lifetime and you wont be left over with the smaller older equipment.
If your any bit DIY inclined you can make a cheap cooling coil with coil and hose connections. (I have a spare copper coil already rolled into the right shape if you want it, no charge, just needs the hose connections, collect from Cork) A mash tun can be made from a picnic drinks cooler box by adding a tap and bazooka filter to the bottom.
Starting off you could try the extract boil kits which only require 1 big 33 Litre pot with a tap and thermometer.
http://www.homebrewwest.ie/craft-range-special-offer-starter-kit-for-beer-4003-p.asp
everything you need for your first brew
Looks good but you'll need bottling too. Either twin handled capper and caps (collect the bottles) or coopers oxbar.
Cheers lads, whats your take on keg conversions? Waste of time or a handy DIY project? I'm into my wheat beers was thinking is that the way to go, have a few kegs laying about and the buddy is a fabricator.
Is doable but I think by the time you've factored I all the bits, delays etc you could find it better going with an all in one.
Recent experience with a buddy highlighted this for me.
Talk to lads with Bulldogs.
Defo start with a few kits.
Understand the cold side and sanitation first.
I brewed in a plastic bucket with kettle elements and had many successful brews.
Legend
@CL, Get to Abbott's on Friday to discuss options.
Unfortunately won't be able make Friday herself is working have to mind the small one but I'll definitely make the next 1
Quote from: LordEoin on May 09, 2017, 01:34:56 PM
http://www.homebrewwest.ie/craft-range-special-offer-starter-kit-for-beer-4003-p.asp
everything you need for your first brew
iv been looking at brewing for a while.. is this really everything i need? seems very good value aswell.
im in mayo, signing up as we speak.
gray
That's great value, you will need bottles , the cooper plastic bottles are good to start out with or if you have bottles you will need to buy caps and a capper. I can recommend the wheat beer
a brew belt would be a hand addition too, but if you have another way of keeping the temperature up you'll be grand
A brew belt? whats that when its at home? im totally green to this.. could i use old beer bottles and sterilise them?
@grayjon, you really need to start here...
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/kit-brewing/how-to-kit-brew-(a-beginner's-guide)/
And yes, absolutely, use old bottles, clean and sanitise them. This helps save the planet (Oops, too late for that!)
To use old bottles you will need a Crown capper and caps.
All of this including brewbelt are covered in the link above.
you'll need caps and a capper.
I recommend a counter top capper like this one: http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/counter-top-capper-coloured-suits-26mm-and-29mm-crown-caps-p-2488.html
the twin handle cappers are cheaper in the short-term but they'll break your heart in the end when they wear out and need replacing.
A brew belt is an electric heating band that goes around the fermenter.