What to look for in a kit?

Tadge · Post by **Tadge** » Sunday Jan 14, 2007 3:29 pm

Good day all, Looking to get into making some Home brew. There are plenty of different starter kits on the market but I dont know what the hell Im looking at. Any suggestions on what makes a good quality kit?

Tadge

Cortez The Killer · Sunday Jan 14, 2007 4:18 pm

I bought a coopers kit - it isn't too bad and comes with 30 bottles if you are gonna be stuck for them

Otherwise visit a homebrew store and they will be able to hook you up with a decent package

Blue Mountains Brewing have a decent starter kit
https://www.bmbrews.com.au/index.php/products/kits.html

Don't know about postage to darwin though

Cheers

MOFO · Post by **MOFO** » Sunday Jan 14, 2007 8:46 pm

I also bought a Coopers Kit. I see there is one out there from Lion Nathan that is Malt Shovel Brewery, which looks pretty, but I believe is smaller and perhaps more expensive.

Really - all that matters is you have the core things to get you started: Fermenter, Tap, Bottler, Bottles & Lids/Caps, and the temperature panel that coopers include is very handy also.

Whilst Coopers is probably the most cost effective, and easily accessible at any k-mart etc, the only problem is the kit that is comes with. As wasteful as it may seem, after my first brew using their ingredients (Lager and Sugar) and the disappointing results, I would advise you throw this away. This being said, perhaps if you have a specialty shop close by (no doubt you will in the Top End), I would go see what they offer as a starter - or see how much it is to get everything individually.

You still need things apart from the kit - like a sanatising agent...

In short: Coopers by default, or if you can find a good kit for perhaps around the same price, but with better starting ingredients - go that.

KEG · Post by **KEG** » Sunday Jan 14, 2007 10:39 pm

I started a little while ago with a coopers kit - happy with it.

While the first brew isn't fantastic, it most definitely isn't worth throwing out for the less-than-2-weeks it will occupy your fermenter. I actually just enjoyed a glass from the first brew.

Granted my subsequent brews are much nicer with extra malt, hops etc, but the first brew is definitely drinkable and enjoyable, with the added bonus of being able to see the huge difference that extra malt, hops etc can have.

Also, there's nothing to stop you improving the first brew with some malt and hops, it's not hard

Tadge · Post by **Tadge** » Monday Jan 15, 2007 6:43 am

Thanks for the info, Coopers seem like a good starting piont then. I found a store in Darwin, Ozbrew Ill give them a go when I get back. Probably a better option for me as I dont really know where to start.

Cheers
Tadge

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Monday Jan 15, 2007 9:16 am

Buy a BE1/2 to use with the Coopers Lager & keep the brewing sugar for the tea/coffee - winnar!

rwh · Post by **rwh** » Monday Jan 15, 2007 9:18 am

I second Ash's sentiment. w00t!

Danzar · Post by **Danzar** » Monday Jan 15, 2007 11:25 am

Ash wrote:Buy a BE1/2 to use with the Coopers Lager & keep the brewing sugar for the tea/coffee - winnar!

Or priming.

Longrasser · Post by **Longrasser** » Monday Jan 15, 2007 11:41 am

Probably a better option for me as I dont really know where to start.

Tadge save your petrol and fire away all your questions in here

Coles in town got a better selection of stuff than Woolies

Emo · Post by **Emo** » Monday Jan 15, 2007 1:53 pm

I was pretty happy with my Coopers kit when I first got it.

Cleric · Post by **Cleric** » Monday Jan 15, 2007 6:09 pm

I'm very happy with my two first brews. I did generic first brew which I am enjoying right now. Then, I did a Cooper's black and tan (1 can stout, 1 can dark ale+ brown sugar) which is fantastic. I can safely say that the Copper's ales are top shelf, so don't be hesitant on picking any of those up. Just pick something up and get your feet wet (and don't be too paranoid about the process) and see how it turns out. Because it can't be any worse than what they sell at the local liquor store.

Longrasser · Post by **Longrasser** » Tuesday Jan 16, 2007 11:54 am

Big W had Coopers starter kits for about $60...... way to go.

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » Friday Jan 19, 2007 3:41 pm

Tadge wrote:Thanks for the info, Coopers seem like a good starting piont then. I found a store in Darwin, Ozbrew Ill give them a go when I get back. Probably a better option for me as I dont really know where to start.

Cheers
Tadge

Tadge Ozbrew in Coconut Grove is under new management and they are helpful. As far as I known Ozbrew in Palmerston is not and is unhelpful.

It is no secret I hate the coopers/tooheys style starter kits. However they have everything you need in them and a lot of people will have nothing else.

My preference is for a kit that has a pail fermenter in it (a big bucket with a clip on lid not screw on).

Dasher · Post by **Dasher** » Friday Jan 19, 2007 7:46 pm

I started with a Coopers kit also.
I was told to but 500grams of ldme and add it.
Wasn't unpalatable let me tell you.
dasher

Longrasser · Post by **Longrasser** » Wednesday Jan 24, 2007 11:21 am

Opened a Tooheys lager last night been in the bottle 6 weeks
Bloody delicious kit and kilo of dex .Racked for a week after primary then bulk primed with 180mg dex and bottled.Cheap.Simple. 30 PETS.

Could only improve with Coopers BE2 IMHO

Hey shaun how about this shite weather mate? Drive ya to drink?