home brew kits

[CR0X]

A bit of a weird one this. I need to brew some beer for a friends 30th.

Any advice as to which kit etc? In terms of bottles etc, I am sorted as that is the field I'm in, but short of ringing a friendly brewer, of which I know plenty, I don't know where to start.

As a beer judge this will be interesting!

[Bursar]

Loads of kit reviews here: http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=...

I haven't got round to brewing beer yet (got a couple of wine kits on the go), but will be having a pop at the Coopers Stout kits once I get the chance.

[hyperblue]

I've had good results with this kit:

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Home_...

I've brewed a few different ales with it, the only problem is that it's too drinkable

They have a physical shop just near Aldershot if you're local.

[UberMeister]

The Home Brew Shop is definitely worth a visit if you're not too far away.

I bought the Cooper's Micro Brew Kit from there and have had several successful beers - have tried ales, lager & wheat beers.

Cooper's kit is reviewed here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt3IGCxu6tk

[SwanJack]

If your only doing it once, then maybe something like this http://www.brupaks.com/brubox/index.html or this

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Start...

otherwise the best 'can' kits are the two can ones where no sugar is needed, such as these

http://stonehelmhomebrew.co.uk/BeerKits/Woodfordes...

[BenjiA]

I've just kegged a woodforde's wherry as above, with the addition of some extra malt at the beginning, and some hops after 3 days.....tastes great, although sadly still need a few days to clear in the Keg.

Have a look at the Brew uk forum for details of "tweaking" kits...

However, if you are only doing it once, the cost of kit surely outweighs benefits compared to buying a polypin?

[CR0X]

Its a silly situation really. The aim is to bring your own brewed beer but I know I could cheat very easily but not in the spirit of the thing.

I know loads more about the industrial and craft side of brewing but not home brew, despite manufacturing demijohns and over 50m beer bottles a year!

[SwanJack]

I'll brew you 40 Pints of beer of your choice, from all grain, in return for some glass bottles . You just supply the ingredients (with a decent yeast it'll be about £25)as well as the bottles. Theoretically it will be your own beer . Logistics and timing might be a problem though seeing as we're at different ends of the country and a decent brew needs two weeks in primary, two weeks in secondary and two weeks at least in a bottle.

Edited by SwanJack on Friday 4th January 14:03

Edited by SwanJack on Friday 4th January 14:05

[motco]

Here's one I brewed earlier...

[SimonHancock]

There are some beers that have been created by Youngs and these are fantastic - Ive made all of them - they are based on an American style craft beer which are strong in alcohol (at least 5%) and have lots of flavour. - http://www.brewbitz.com/Brands/American-Ales__c-p-...

If you haven't got any equipment, then they even do these beers in a full starter kit - its how I started - http://www.brewbitz.com/Starter-Packs__c-p-0-0-6.a...

[G600]

SimonHancock said:

There are some beers that have been created by Youngs and these are fantastic - Ive made all of them - they are based on an American style craft beer which are strong in alcohol (at least 5%) and have lots of flavour. - http://www.brewbitz.com/Brands/American-Ales__c-p-...

If you haven't got any equipment, then they even do these beers in a full starter kit - its how I started - http://www.brewbitz.com/Starter-Packs__c-p-0-0-6.a...

Not your company by any chance?