Beer Brewing
Equipment kits
These are the 4 configurations we have come up with for brewers who are new to the hobby. You will get all the equipment that is specialized for brewing that you probably don't already have in your kitchen. You will still need a five gallon brewpot. This can be stainless, aluminum or an enamelware pot. Always get the 5 gallon size if you can, you won't regret it! You will also need bottles. A standard 5 gallon recipe requires 48 twelve ounce bottles, 26 twenty-two ounce bottles or 10 growlers. Most brewers do some of each. A recipe usually includes the caps, the equipment kits have the capper. Make sure to save bar or bottle opener type bottles, they are your best chance for a good seal.
Basic Brewing Kit $84.95
A very good entry level brewing kit. You will be set up for single stage fermenting with a food grade plastic fermenter. Best suited for brewers making up to 6 gallons of 5% or lower alcohol content ales. You will have about a week from brew day to bottling day.
6.7 gallon plastic food grade
fermenter & grommeted lid
3 piece Airlock
Bottling bucket with spigot
Bottle filler w/spring tip
siphon Cane With tip
Siphon tubing
Double lever capper
Sanitizer
Hydrometer
Stick-on thermometer
Bottle Brush
The New Complete Joy of Homebrewing 3rd edition by Charlie Papazian
Intermediate Brew Kit $144.95
You'll get everything listed above and add two very useful pieces of equipment. If you want to brew lagers or higher alcohol ales you'll need a carboy for secondary. If you want to minimize the sediment at the bottom of the bottle or schedule bottling day when it's convenient for you then you will also enjoy the carboy. The necessary accessaries are included. The second gadget is the bottle washer. It makes rinsing bottles and carboys much quicker and probably more thorough.
5 gallon glass carboy
Drilled stopper
airlock
Carboy handle
Carboy brush
Bottle & carboy washer
faucet adapter