Hello

[snowrs]

I am going to get into brewing. I have quite a few friends that are brewing now but we are scattered all over the country so I figured I would get to know some local hopheads. I won't be brewing until probably the first of the year, but as an engineer I can never research enough. So tell me a bit about the club, how many members, and how do you get home from each meeting. I am thinking about buying the starter kit from Williams with the wort chiller. Is there anything else I will need. Well I have rambled enough see y'all around.

[Chris Alvey]

Hello and welcome...

The club meets the last Wednesday of the month (except for Nov. and Dec.) and we usually have 25 to 30 members at each meeting. The format is pretty open for meetings - we go over any business, discuss upcoming events, people who brewed beer present it and discuss, then the rest of the meeting is sharing beer and talking brewing among the group.

We participate in group brew activities like the AHA Big Brew Day in May & Teach a Friend to Homebrew day in November as well as post when we will be brewing here on the website. Brewing with someone is most definitely the best way to learn the ropes. We also participate in philanthropic activities like the SWIRCA Wine & Spirits Festival, Brew HaHa and the Alzheimers Association event as well as doing a brewing demonstration annually at the WestSide Sportsmans Club BBQ event.

As to how to get started, there are a couple of things that I would say.

1. Before you buy anything, but How to Brew by John Palmer. This is a great resource for any brewer (new or veteran) and will get you started on extract brewing or throw you head first into all-grain brewing if you're so inclined. Both methods make fine beer, extract is just a bit easier and less equipment intensive.
2. If you can, get equipment to brew outside. One boil over on your stove is a disaster - doubly so (or more) if you a have a spouse.
3. There are plenty of items you don't need and several key items that you should go ahead and spend the money on and get what you want for long-term brewing the first time. A big boil pot comes to mind, as does a good chiller.

There are tons of things to know, I'll let other members throw their tidbits in.

[snowrs]

I am half way through How To Brew, and I just finished Papazian's book as well. I am probably going to brew outside for sure. The combination of threats of death from the wife and having to replace my glass top stove makes that an easy decision. I figure after this week I should be able to pick up a cheap turkey fryer.

[snowrs]

I bought most of my equipment, from Midwest supply, decided to go with better bottles as fermenters, I want to see the process and I have a spare closet. I also bought the Boundry Waters Wheat kit from them. I made a mistake on the yeast and bought a propagator pack so I will have to do a starter. I have yet to buy a pot or chiller any recomendation on a local place for a pot or isthe netbetter. My yeast is in the fridge and hops are in the freezer waiting for after Christmas.

[john mills]

I suggest the cheap enameled pot to start with. You should be able to find a 20 qt one (the larger the better) at Rural king, or Wally world for about $20 (this will allow about a 3 1/2 - 4 gal post boil). You can use the pot for other things than brewing if you find out brewing is not for you.

[snowrs]

LINK

I was thinking of this

[john mills]

$60 after shipping seems a bit much for a plain old pot. But then again I haven't been in the market for such an item. I was thinking more like this
http://www.ruralking.com/33-qt-water-ba ... -rack.html
or you could look up Jimmy to see if he still has this:
http://www.ovha.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=412
serious equipment, but good stuff.

I'm still using my 1st pot now for about 15 years now. A keggle made with parts from a plumbing supply store. I think the rubber seals have become one with the stainless walls.

[Chris Alvey]

60 quarts (15 gal.)

http://www.amazon.com/60-COMMERCIAL-ALU ... 620&sr=8-7