The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Home brewing => Topic started by: little blue on October 28, 2012, 01:19:18 pm

Title: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: little blue on October 28, 2012, 01:19:18 pm

the men of the house are wanting to home-brew ...
I'm thinking of getting some bits & bobs of equipment as Christmas gifts -


 can anyone recommend where is best to get "things" from,
is a kit best for complete beginners,
and what are the absolute essentials?


They are thinking beer (of course!) whereas I'd like to try wine-making, in the absence of enough apples to indulge my taste for cider (!)
Is any of the equipment "inter-changeable?"


And is there a "bible" that I could read & quote the relevant bits out to them? (real men apparently don't need instructions!!) ;)


cheers folks
:wave:

Title: Re: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: Dans on October 28, 2012, 03:08:57 pm

http://www.thebrewshop.com/ (http://www.thebrewshop.com/)

These guys were our local when we were in Manchester. Since though we have lived in Wigan, London and Edinburgh and they are still our go-to for supplies.

I don't know about beer but for wine:

You need demi-johns to start small, try freegle/freecycle, car boots and recycling centres, this is often the cheapest way to get them.

Air locks and bungs for the demi-johns, some sterilising poweder, and campden tablets. If you wanna get fancy you can filter your wines to make them clearer, and you'll need a filter and filter pads. I find it good to have a funnel and sieve handy too for getting the wine into the demi-john.

When starting the wine off I have mine in a stock pot (heat water and sugar and then add fruit and leave for a few days in there stirring). I got mine from Tesco. Whatever pot you use the fruit rises once the yeast gets going so make sure you leave space.

Hope that is somewhat helpful and good luck!

Dans

Title: Re: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: little blue on October 28, 2012, 03:42:05 pm

that's great for starters, thanks Dans
we've got a couple of demi johns, and I'm sure we can easily bodge together the other bits & pieces...

Title: Re: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: Dans on October 28, 2012, 03:53:19 pm

In which case get yourself some bungs, airlocks and campden tablets and you will be good to start. You can get those off ebay. Everything else you need can be cobbled together in the kitchen. Let us know how it goes!

Dans

Title: Re: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: happy larry on October 28, 2012, 10:34:55 pm

I work part time in a home brew shop and get a massive 30% discount,when you know what you want let me know,i will do my best to help out.I have been brewing my own for a couple of years now and can brew a pint of pub quality(or better) beer for about 47p

Title: Re: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: little blue on October 30, 2012, 09:15:39 am

cheers Happy Larry, that's great!
I'll let you know once I've worked out what I want!  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: happy larry on October 31, 2012, 10:10:56 pm

Your welcome little blue,this offer is also available for other members if any are interested.

Title: Re: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: SteveHants on October 31, 2012, 10:20:04 pm

I used to buy from art of brewing.


Its been a while now, but I used to buy crushed malt and used a tea-urn as my boiler.


Must make some beer next year.

Title: Re: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: RASMITH130464 on April 26, 2013, 12:44:18 pm

Hi Happy Larry,

Is the offer of getting equipment still there?

I am looking to source a starter kit as cheaply as possible.

Thanks

Title: Re: beginners gear suppliers?
Post by: happy larry on April 26, 2013, 09:22:47 pm

yes my offer still stands,let me know what you want and i can give you prices.