Not to pimp my blog or anything, but if you are curious about the process from beginning to end, read this...
Homebrewing 1A (Homebrewing for beginners)
http://knewshound.blogspot.com/2006/03/homebrewing-101.html
It will give you a pretty fair idea about what the process is, what it costs and what materials you will need.
Personally, I brew quite a bit, right up aginst the 200 gallon limit, but we do entertain a lot and at our parties, it is amazing to see people lined up 3 deep to drink YOUR beer.
Give it a shot, you only have about 50 bucks and about 5 hours to lose. In return, you get 2 1/2 cases of top quality brew for the price of bargain swill.
And you made it yourself.
Cheers,
knewshound
My son started making home brewed beer when he got a set up (I know nothing about any of this) one Christmas from his wife.
He loves it! I have a beer once or twice a week for my health (you ought to read how good hops are for you!) and he makes a very hoppy brew just for me. Just excellent flavor.
There’s a biergarten in Germany with our family name, he’s going to see about sending them some home brew as a gift, if that’s possible. MIL went there on a trip, said it was really quite a nice place.
Seems like a relaxing, sociable hobby.