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Every first time brewer needs to start with the minimum amount of equipment, which can be found at any local brew supply shop or even on-line. By using a brew supplier you will be able to ask any questions you have about the whole process from start to finish. Many good home beer brewing suppliers will have the basic starter kits available ranging in price, so have a budget in mind as to how much money you are prepared to send. A very short and simple list should at least cover a Brew pot, in which you will be boiling your wort. The wort is the term used to for your beer before the fermentation process. Here, size does matter, and I recommend that you purchase a brew pot that can hold up to twenty to thirty quarts. The more of your wort you boil, the better for your finished beer. The Primary Fermenter is another vital piece of equipment that you use to pour the cooled wort after the brewing stage. The fermenter must have an air tight lid with a hole to allow the airlock to be fitted. An Airlock is a tool that allows the carbon dioxide gases to escape from the fermenter during the fermentation process. It is half filled with water and it also prevents air and germs from entering the Primary fermenter. You will also need a good Bottling Bucket or Priming vessel to use at the bottling stage. preferably one that has a removable plug on the bottom. Throw in a few other items like good glass bottles ( not screw tops), flexible plastic hoses, rubber stoppers, bottling tubes, soft bristled bottle brushes., bottle rinse, and a bottle capper just to name a few. I also recommend that you purchase a Hydrometer, all though not everyone things that it's necessary. The hydrometer measures the density and the amount of alcohol that was produced during fermentation. This apparatus is simple to use and is worthwhile learning how to do so early in your home beer brewing hobby. By taking a reading of the wort before the fermentation period (gives the original gravity and the alcohol potential) and another after (gives the final reading of gravity and alcohol potential), subtracting one from the other gives you the amount sugar used during fermentation and the amount of alcohol. There are a number of great websites that you can use to get some good advice on all topics from equipment through to building your own home made fermenter along with various recipes for ales and lagers. The one I recommend covers all areas and I made some great beers by following all the simple steps. Have Fun. Cheers
Mark Howard was introduced to the art of producing home made beer by his father over twenty or more years ago. "Never Stop Experimenting" and "Always Enjoy the Fruits of your Labour in Moderation." [http://www.homebrewbeerfermenter.com]
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==== ==== Please check out The Home Brewing Academy for great tips on Home Brewing. www.besthomebrewingpractices.com ==== ====