TOPIC:

After my first couple of succesful batches, I'm writing an article for <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="www.nosmag.com">www.nosmag.com about the appeal of homebrewing (I'm a technology writer spreading my wings...). A few questions that you may be able to help me out with:

1) Are there any sort of reliable numbers on how many homebrewers there are in the country? Even very rough ballpark figures? Or in any other country, for that matter. Just something not made up to demonstrate its widespread appeal.

2) Any suggestions with regards to the best kit to start with? My first was a brewferm wheat beer, but I'm leaning towards recommending a 3kg kit for a first brew. Thoughts?

3) Anything else important I should include/omit (apart from the obvious ICB plug)?

And I'm sure I'll find a few more things to ask as I work through it too...

Thanks in advance.

2/I'm a big fan of 3kg kits and think if you recommend those as a starter kit I don't think you can go far wrong.

Can't help much on the other stuff.

I haven't used the Brewferm kits but they get good feedback. The 3kg kits such as Muntons and Brupaks might be a good starting point, I thought the Brupaks kits were good.

In general terms it might be worth mentioning that in the US (which led the renaissance in craft brewing) many of the successful new wave of breweries were started by homebrewers (Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams & Brooklyn Brewery to name 3).