Homebrew Kit from Midwest Supplies + $25 off coupon + Recipe kit. $64+shipping

Quote from shackrock : Is there another easier option instead of bottling? For example, could I just put the beer in a pitcher, or would it get flat in a day?

Bottling is a necessary step as the sugars continues to ferment and the beer conditions.

Midwest is great, low prices, high quality. Been using them for 6 years now.

Nice deal. Does anybody know whether its actually worth getting a glass carboy for secondary fermentation? is there a substantial gain in quality?

Quote from shackrock : Is there another easier option instead of bottling? For example, could I just put the beer in a pitcher, or would it get flat in a day?

There is one easier option, sort of, and that is kegging. Instead of bottling, which obviously requires filling ~ 48 bottles up then capping them (it is kind of a pain, I won't lie... but only takes about an hour and isn't terrible complicated, just boring sort of) you siphon instead the fermented beer into a keg.

Doing that is faster and easier, but THEN you need to have the ability to chill the keg - either keep it in a spare fridge, OR get a kegerator. I will admit I have brewed about 40-50 kits, but I am still bottling, so I don't know everything about kegging, but it is the alternative option.

you can't keep it in a pitcher. first off, when you are done fermenting (takes about 2 weeks to ferment the beer after brewing) you have ~ 5 gallons of the beer. Second off, at that time it is still not carbonated. when you siphon the beer into bottles, you add a bit of sugar to it in the bucket and when you cap the bottle the yeast starts to eat that sugar, creates gases, and since the bottle is capped the gases can't escape and it carbonates the beer.

Quote from berniel : Nice deal. Does anybody know whether its actually worth getting a glass carboy for secondary fermentation? is there a substantial gain in quality?

my honest advice is I don't think you need one right away, but you will end up getting one eventually if you really get into the hobby.

I will honestly say for MOST beers I don't think you even need a secondary. some people say YES, others hardly ever secondary.

it does help clarify the beer a bit since it is one more step of siphoning the beer without the gunk that settles at the bottom.

having said all of that, there are some heavier beers I think do better doing them with a secondary

finally, just to add more to the conversation, you can get either a glass or plastic carboy. the plastic ones are called 'better bottles'. I actually have the plastic ones and they work fine. the glass ones look cool, but once they get filled with 5 + gallons of liquid, they get heavy as anything and there are stories of them being dropped with very bad results. either option has advantages and disadvantages but either in the long run work.

this is an example of something, as I hinted at above, would be a great birthday or christmas gift idea if youa re like me and nobody ever knows what to get you. do you need one? NO.... will you most likely want one if you get into this hobby? YES....

I just finished the last bottle of my first homebrew using using my Mr. Beer kit. I tried experimenting the first time around by adding a little honey to my ale wort, and substituting honey for sugar for carbonating in the bottle. Despite the comments that I read online saying that adding the honey that way would not add much (if any) honey flavor, it turned out to overwhelm the beer and was more like carbonated mead (with a VERY thick and creamy head). Not that it was bad... but it wasn't beer (though I will accept fault for that).

Since then, I bought a couple premium Mr. Beer recipes, with one of them that has been fermenting for a little over a week. I really want to see how that batch turns out before I decide whether or not I want to upgrade my equipment and make this a real hobby, or give it the boot and move on to something else. As of right now, I'm not very happy with the fact that, despite obsessively following the directions, a few ounces of my current batch overflowed from the keg. I hope that hasn't expelled too much of the yeast or ruined the beer in some other way, but I won't know for sure until I taste it this weekend.

The thing is, I'm expecting that I will continue the hobby, and Mr. Beer is currently running a 25% off deal for their "holiday recipes" (and I was going to stock up on 2 or 3 of those tomorrow). But now I see this deal, and for virtually the same price, I get upgraded equipment AND the same volume of beer (Mr. Beer making about 2gals per brew, and this claiming to make 6 gallons).

So it really only makes sense that I make the leap and buy this kit... right?

Quote from CriticalCritic : I just finished the last bottle of my first homebrew using using my Mr. Beer kit. I tried experimenting the first time around by adding a little honey to my ale wort, and substituting honey for sugar for carbonating in the bottle. Despite the comments that I read online saying that adding the honey that way would not add much (if any) honey flavor, it turned out to overwhelm the beer and was more like carbonated mead (with a VERY thick and creamy head). Not that it was bad... but it wasn't beer (though I will accept fault for that). Since then, I bought a couple premium Mr. Beer recipes, with one of them that has been fermenting for a little over a week. I really want to see how that batch turns out before I decide whether or not I want to upgrade my equipment and make this a real hobby, or give it the boot and move on to something else. As of right now, I'm not very happy with the fact that, despite obsessively following the directions, a few ounces of my current batch overflowed from the keg. I hope that hasn't expelled too much of the yeast or ruined the beer in some other way, but I won't know for sure until I taste it this weekend. The thing is, I'm expecting that I will continue the hobby, and Mr. Beer is currently running a 25% off deal for their "holiday recipes" (and I was going to stock up on 2 or 3 of those tomorrow). But now I see this deal, and for virtually the same price, I get upgraded equipment AND the same volume of beer (Mr. Beer making about 2gals per brew, and this claiming to make 6 gallons). So it really only makes sense that I make the leap and buy this kit... right?

It'll be like going from a cartridge razor to a DE razor... it'll feel great knowing that you're doing it the right way.

Quote from CriticalCritic : I just finished the last bottle of my first homebrew using using my Mr. Beer kit. I tried experimenting the first time around by adding a little honey to my ale wort, and substituting honey for sugar for carbonating in the bottle. Despite the comments that I read online saying that adding the honey that way would not add much (if any) honey flavor, it turned out to overwhelm the beer and was more like carbonated mead (with a VERY thick and creamy head). Not that it was bad... but it wasn't beer (though I will accept fault for that). Since then, I bought a couple premium Mr. Beer recipes, with one of them that has been fermenting for a little over a week. I really want to see how that batch turns out before I decide whether or not I want to upgrade my equipment and make this a real hobby, or give it the boot and move on to something else. As of right now, I'm not very happy with the fact that, despite obsessively following the directions, a few ounces of my current batch overflowed from the keg. I hope that hasn't expelled too much of the yeast or ruined the beer in some other way, but I won't know for sure until I taste it this weekend. The thing is, I'm expecting that I will continue the hobby, and Mr. Beer is currently running a 25% off deal for their "holiday recipes" (and I was going to stock up on 2 or 3 of those tomorrow). But now I see this deal, and for virtually the same price, I get upgraded equipment AND the same volume of beer (Mr. Beer making about 2gals per brew, and this claiming to make 6 gallons). So it really only makes sense that I make the leap and buy this kit... right?

I think you would be very pleased with making the leap and getting the kit. The more of the brewing process you control, the more creative you can be with your recipes (which it seems you want to do given your honey addition).

Be aware, this kit is really just the start of more expenses to come once you become more advanced. However there are quite a few DIY pieces of equipment you can make if you are just the least bit handy This will significantly reduce your costs.

DIY Mash Tun, DIY Wort Chiller, DIY stir plates, DIY Temp Controllers, etc..

Some great references that I have found helpful are Homebrewtalk forum and You tube videos. I would take a look at that and see if you're prepared to make the jump into the great hobby of Homebrewing.

Quote from JasonFTW : Bottling is a necessary step as the sugars continues to ferment and the beer conditions.

You can just keg it, midwest has one of the cheapest kegging systems. I was already looking to get a kegging system for my hard cider from them. The $25 coupon makes the deal way slicker for me.

Quote from vbman29 : Be aware, this kit is really just the start of more expenses to come once you become more advanced. However there are quite a few DIY pieces of equipment you can make if you are just the least bit handy This will significantly reduce your costs. DIY Mash Tun, DIY Wort Chiller, DIY stir plates, DIY Temp Controllers, etc.. Some great references that I have found helpful are Homebrewtalk forum and You tube videos. I would take a look at that and see if you're prepared to make the jump into the great hobby of Homebrewing.

Assuming you want to move on to all grain and/or better equipment. 5 gallon extract kit after 5 gallon extract kit can be made without ever upgrading equipment.

Quote from CriticalCritic : I just finished the last bottle of my first homebrew using using my Mr. Beer kit. I tried experimenting the first time around by adding a little honey to my ale wort, and substituting honey for sugar for carbonating in the bottle. Despite the comments that I read online saying that adding the honey that way would not add much (if any) honey flavor, it turned out to overwhelm the beer and was more like carbonated mead (with a VERY thick and creamy head). Not that it was bad... but it wasn't beer (though I will accept fault for that). Since then, I bought a couple premium Mr. Beer recipes, with one of them that has been fermenting for a little over a week. I really want to see how that batch turns out before I decide whether or not I want to upgrade my equipment and make this a real hobby, or give it the boot and move on to something else. As of right now, I'm not very happy with the fact that, despite obsessively following the directions, a few ounces of my current batch overflowed from the keg. I hope that hasn't expelled too much of the yeast or ruined the beer in some other way, but I won't know for sure until I taste it this weekend. The thing is, I'm expecting that I will continue the hobby, and Mr. Beer is currently running a 25% off deal for their "holiday recipes" (and I was going to stock up on 2 or 3 of those tomorrow). But now I see this deal, and for virtually the same price, I get upgraded equipment AND the same volume of beer (Mr. Beer making about 2gals per brew, and this claiming to make 6 gallons). So it really only makes sense that I make the leap and buy this kit... right?

As I read your post and how much you already seem into this hobby, I have to say my advice is YES YES YES get this kit. Try it.

I have NOT brewed with Mr Beer but I have been on forums for home brewing for 3-4 years, and the overall view is they are night and day different in the process and especially in the results.

I hope I am not wrong, but I really think you look like someone that would just love this hobby. your comments about mixing things up a bit just scream home brewer to me.

get this kit, watch the DVD, maybe read a few books, Don;t forget about youtube (there are tons of good how to videos out there). I really think the results you get will be quite noticable.

Quote from vbman29 : Be aware, this kit is really just the start of more expenses to come once you become more advanced. However there are quite a few DIY pieces of equipment you can make if you are just the least bit handy This will significantly reduce your costs. DIY Mash Tun, DIY Wort Chiller, DIY stir plates, DIY Temp Controllers, etc.. Some great references that I have found helpful are Homebrewtalk forum and You tube videos. I would take a look at that and see if you're prepared to make the jump into the great hobby of Homebrewing.

ha, so true. this kit is a SLICKDEAL. the hobby after that??? well, maybe not so much ha ha

I would argue you could be done after this kit, some bottles and a pot. this would be all you ever need. But you will find yourself adding things here or there anyway.

I will say, as it has been noted above, you do want an auto siphon. that almost is not an option IMO. add that right away

Quote from chbbsteve : Is this kit even worst buying since I don't want the bottle equip?

Yes. I started with a kit just like this and, instead of bottling, started kegging with my first batch. Although it's way easier, I started bottling a few gallons of each 15 gallon batch I make so I can easily take my beer to parties and things like that. A growler works but it wont hold the carbonation on long trips.

Quote from Kumicho : The last thing to note is that if you live in a part of the US where great beer is plentiful and cheap, it almost gets to the point where it costs as much to brew your own as it does to buy it from the store. If you're buying kits it usually gets to ~$45 after you figure in yeast, propane, water, cleaning, etc, and here in WI you can get a great case of beer for $50-55.

As long as you're not brewing cheap beer, (PBR, Budweiser, etc) it is almost always cost effective. I've moved to all grain brewing to make things even cheaper. A 5 gallon batch of stout or hefeweissen makes a little less than 50 bottles of beer. I don't think you can purchase that much good beer for $50. At least not anywhere in the US, Western Europe, Japan, Korea, China, Australia, or the Middle East.

Quote from congletonj : Thinking about pulling the trigger, what is the level of difficulty in brewing the stout? I see Lagers are tough and Ales are easier, but nothing on the stout?

Stouts are about the easiest things to make and the hardest to mess up.You cant really burn the wort because they already use a lot of toasted grains. As long as everything that touches the wort after boiling has been sanitized you'll be ok.

Quote from dgreene0 : Should I even attempt to make beer given my conditions? I do have a full-size top/bottom garage fridge that is usually mostly empty. Would I need that to hold some of the pots/buckets to a lower temp?

Just keep your beer inside in a cool closet somewhere. Your yeast wont die at 78 degrees it just wont work as hard which means you need to let it ferment a bit longer. I've brewed ales at that temperature and I just let it go a few more weeks. Most of the fermentation is done in the first 9 days anyway. I keep my house at 70 degrees and brew everything at that temperature. Its all in the yeast you use.

Quote from shackrock : What kind of temperatures do I need? My basement is open air with all the vents in there, so it's DEFINITELY not controller.... bummer.

If your house is climate controlled, just keep it inside.

Quote from briank642 : Honestly, I'm not entirely sure what other equipment you'd be upgrading to if you're just picking this up as a fun hobby.

What equipment won't he be upgrading to? This kit is great but it is definitely bare bones level 1. Kegging, all grain equipment, infusing, and filtration all require better equipment. This kit is still good though. You have to start somewhere.

Quote from barathrum : Stout is a type of ale. My first homebrewed beer was the Midwest stout kit and it could not be easier. The key is to try to keep your fermentation temps within the specified range (typically 65-70 degrees for ales) and this can easily be accomplished. If you don't have a suitable cool place in your home, just fill a large rubbermaid storage tote halfway with water, put your fermenting bucket in there and swap in a couple frozen 2-liter bottles once a day. This will keep your fermentation temps approx. 10 degrees below room temp. While the other responder's suggestion of a yeast starter and two-stage fermentation is not incorrect, you don't to do either of those things to make a low-gravity kit like the Midwest irish stout. Yeast starters are required for higher gravity (that is, more alcohol) beers and two-stage fermentation is recommended when you are introducing something else to the beer (fruit, coffee, chocolate, etc.) after fermentation is substantially complete. However, as a beginner, you don't need to worry about either of these things for your first few kit-based batches. As an aside, for those concerned about having enough space, I live in a tiny one-bedroom high-rise apartment and I have no problem making great beer. I do full boils on a basic GE gas range and my beer happily ferments away in a closet.

Almost entirely agree. I don't worry about keeping my house at the correct temperature for the beer. I just keep my house at a comfortable temperature for me.