TOPIC:

[quote:cu2kize3]If you go into the hobby to save money, you will start with a cheap kit, which will result in lousy beer and a swift end to the hobby. That just creates one more person (+1 for every friend who tried a bottle) telling people how lousy home-brew is.[/quote:cu2kize3]

Who suggested buying a cheap kit? A quality kit such as Brupaks (available for €26.99 from the Homebrew Company) will make a decent beer that any beginner will be happy with. I brewed one recently and thought it was excellent. Most people are sceptical about homebrew and they will be delighted if the beer is even drinkable. A good kit will exceed their expectations. If they like what they make then they'll want to brew even better beer, all the extra equipment you've listed will make that easier, but it is not absolutely necessary for a complete beginner.

You've got to ask how many of us would have shelled out €285 at the very beginning, having never tasted homebrew before? I certainly wouldn't have.

I'm with bigears on this one. It's hard to justify spending the bones of €300 at the start of a hobby. For a hundred euro you can get the starter pack and a good kit. Then the equipment can be added to over time.


Plus, and I know this isn't for everyone, a lot of the joy of the equipment side of the hobby is doing a bit of DIY, and trying to be inventive. I couldn't justify €70 on a chiller that I can make for €20.

It's not about being cheap, or making cheap beer, but if the costs were prohibitive I would have to think twice about it. Comparing like with like, I'm making very cheap beer.

In the context of the TV show I think Sean`s approach is the better of two evils.

Yes you can make great beer from kits but what yer average Joe is going to do is rush out and buy a Larger or stout kit and not get the result he or she wants. This should be pointed out

No point in telling everyone it is [i:jzwlrn1l]cheep and easy [/i:jzwlrn1l](now there’s a name for a beer) The biggest investment required is time to study [i:jzwlrn1l]how to do it[/i:jzwlrn1l]

For us who have already gone through the learning process it is easy to forget how difficult it can be, like driving a car for example

Fair points all and taken on board.

Do the Brupacks kits require boiling? One of the biggest pains which you can avoid by purchasing (or making as noby pointed out) is chilling the wort to pitching temp. If that is not an issue with the quality kits in question, then I would agree that the basic starter equipment, with a high quality beer kit, would be the way to start brewing.

Any recommendations for high quality kits, other than Brupacks?

"Westbrew":268408n9 wrote: In the context of the TV show I think Sean`s approach is the better of two evils.
[/quote:268408n9]

But the context of the show seems to be 'ways to save money' according to the OP.

Also, I'm sure there are good stout kits out there.

"sbillings":18tdw019 wrote: Any recommendations for high quality kits, other than Brupacks?[/quote:18tdw019]
I found the BrewFerm kits to be good.