“it’s up to individual states to decide whether to allow home-brewing”
Like I was going to ask permission???
What do you homebrewers recommend? The “kit” or what?
Been wanting to give this a try, now that Jimmy Carter has removed the barriers, well now is the time!
Check out the link I just posted above.
If you go with the kit, ask at the store what’s the best. I recommend the Coopers.
Something else - when I did the cider, I bought and used Wyeast London ESB yeast, #1968. It started very quickly, and worked so well with the cider, that when I did the bitters, I used the yeast that came with it, but also tossed in a bunch of the ESB yeast left over.
I have never had a bad result when I use the London ESB. As I read the forums, lots of folks have posted how if there is a weak part of the kits, it’s the yeast. So don’t be scared to put out a couple bucks more and get quality yeast, it will vastly improve your brew. Also, I would recommend never pitching it early, ALWAYS make it into a yeast starter.
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