Where to start?

[jj78]

Hi  lads,

Im new to the forum  and have been reading different posts. There is loads of good info and obviously some of ye have lots of experience.

I found the forum at the alltech brew festival. I have never brewed before and im literally  starting from scratch,  no equipment  etc.

So basically  where would you advise  to start?  What is a good starting point for someone with no experience? I would love to  brew a stout or cider but  is there somewhere more  basic i should start to get a feel for the whole process.

Thanks in advance for any advice  lads i appreciate it

[mcgrath]

Hi JJ, welcome to the forum. I'd say a stout would be a good beer to try. I'd go with a kit to start off with. There is loads of good info for kits "here"
So maybe have a read first and ask anything you don't find an answer for.
If you need equipment check out the different homebrew suppliers. I think they all do starter kit setups for good prices.

[LordEoin]

I agree with the stout kit to start. Coopers Irish Stout would be my recommendation.
Cider kits can be a bit more tricky because they can often turn out too tart or too sweet and often need a bit more aging.

You will need a fermentation vessel (a big sealed bucket) with a thermometer, airlock and either a tap or a syphon. You'll also need bottles.
Other things that'll improve the process and beer are: temperature control, stirring paddle, capper (if you want to use glass beer bottles), caps.

The rest will follow

[Ozbrewer]

IMHO - bottles are the key to becoming a long term home brewer. Typically a batch is around 40 pints. If you take 2 weeks to ferment, then 3 weeks to condition - 5 weeks in total - before you can consume. When you finish those 40 pints, then you brew again and wait another 5 weeks to have something ready. It can become frustrating and annoying to the novice brewer.

You should have enough bottles for at least 3/4 - 4 being better - batches. That way you always have something ready to drink while you are brewing a batch.

The second most important thing is a place to store all your gear.

Outside of the above - in terms of brewing practices themselves - a place to ferment your beer at the right temperature is the key to good beer.

[Will_D]

Hi JJ

Welcome to the forum.

Where are you based?

Someone nearby will probably invite you to one of there brewdays to show you the basics

Also check the group meetings board:

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/board,49.0.html

Will

[banjobrew]

+1 on more bottles! Then use different coloured caps to distinguish between different brews.

Sanitisation is another priority too. Make sure everything that comes into contact with the wort/beer has been cleaned and rinced with some sort of sanitising solution. All homebrew shops supply it.

[jj78]

Thanks lads for the welcome

I ll think do some research on the coopers stout so and get myself some equipment. .

im from Limerick .. I must introduce myself on the limerick page here!

Thanks again and im sure I ll be on with more questions soon!