Brewing with the Right Equipment - where to start

The first step to brewing is evaluating what is the right equipment to start with which will make all the difference in the quality of the beer you create and can make your brewing experiences more enjoyable.

We all have been there where we try to use the wrong tool for the job aonly to end up frustrated. Brewing beer is supposed to be a great experience, and the best way to make great quality beer is to make sure the brewer (you) is a happy brewer!

Here are the MUST-haves to brew beer:

• Kettle 
• Mash Tun (all grain)
• Cooler for Sparge Water (all grain)
• Heating Element
• Scale
• Fermentor / Carboy
• Bucket(s)
• Hoses / Tubes
• Large Spoon or Mash Paddle 
• Table
• Wort Chiller or Chiller Plate
• Cleaning Supplies / Brush
• Beer (I mean come on you want to have a good time)

Items that are not necessary but will make brewing easier:

• Transfer pump
• Quick Connects
• Grain Mill
• Strainer
• False Bottom
• Hydrometer

Where to buy ingredients:

• Support your local home brew store!
• Online options are available such as NorthernBrewer, MoreBeer, or MidWest Supplies...etc. 
• Ask a local Brewery
  • Some breweries will sell you supplies if they have them

Choosing Between All-Grain & Extract Brewing

We will have another post on how to choose, but the short version is this: if you're just dipping your toes in the water, extract brewing is an easy entry point with less investment & fewer skills needed. I personally started with extract utilizing kits I online, and that kicked off my love for brewing.

Eventually, I took an all-grain class and made the switch over to crafting my own recipes. All-grain brewing gives you more control over ingredients, measurements, and experimentation. 

The Setup

Your setup will depend on whether you're doing extract or all-grain, but either way, you'll need space, access  to water, and a heating element. Also remember brewing means cleaning. Proximity to water for cleaning will make the day easier and more enjoyable.

Personally, I've brewed, in my kitchen, on my deck, in the garage, and out in the yard....You can brew just about anywhere if you have the right equipment. 

Also, depending on your setup, you'll likely need to use gravity to help transfer wort to a kettle or beer to a fermentor. 

Cleaning

PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash) & Star San will be your best friends. PBW gets the grime off after brew day, and Star San will helps sanitize everything to keep the wrong germs out of your beer. 

Ok....thats a start right?

You're one step closer to brew day. Get the equipment you need, experiment, and adapt to your setup. As you progress, you'll eventually be able to calculate your brewhouse efficiency.

Make sure to check out the setups other home brewers have used, including my own. Cheers!