A Journey in Brewing Part 2

When we arrived back at Herman's and the first thing I told him was 'I told you we'd be back'.  He was surprised. He informed me that whenever he heard that from customers they were never to be seen again. I had told him I wanted to buy his kit and a kettle.

Kit Contents

1 6gal. glass carboy

1 6gal plastic bottling bucket

1 racking cane

1 bottle filler

1 carboy scrub brush

1 bottle brush

1 emily bottle capper

1/4lb bottle caps

1 reusable nylon grain bag

1 stopper w/air-lock

1 plastic non-melt spoon

Io-STAR Sanitizer

T.S.P.

I was excited to purchase this kit, for it came with a Glass Carboy. I had been picturing starting out with plastic buckets. However, I had been picturing starting out with at least an 8 gal kettle, preferably 10gal, and a burner.  I wanted to be able to boil in the garage or outside. I wanted a larger kettle so I didn't have to worry about boil over and have room for when I decide to start doing full boils. Charlie (the gentleman who was working) had brought to my attention that if I went that big now I'm also going to want a wort chiller too for moving that much hot wort in from the garage to my kitchen sink to chill will be a task. So I pondered upon this. . . It would have gotten pretty spendy, more than I had budgeted when I was at Barnes & Nobles. I then chose to go with the 5 gal pot he had for $40. With this decision I can boil on my kitchen stove for now.  Upon checkout he asked if I wanted to buy an ingredient kit of some sort. I had not thought about this actually, ha. My initial response was that I wanted to take all this home and familiarize myself with it. He talked me into it with little effort. I stood looking at the kits when he asked what kind of beer I drink, to help me choose a style to brew. I then rambled off a list of styles and brewery's I prefer and he looked shocked. I think he underestimated my love for beer and didn't know which style to recommend. I decided on a pale ale recipe he had. He called it his lawnmower beer and had no answer for me when I asked what it would be similar too. So now here I am, about to purchase the equipment I needed, my kettle for boiling, and my ingredients for brewing for under $200. I was satisfied and excited. Time to head home and start brewing.