Help starting up. Best place to buy?

[Col81]

Hi folks, I am looking to find the cheapest place to buy a set up from I have never done it before. I want to try the coopers european lager (40 pints). Can anywhere reccomend the cheapest shop with best deals to get the initial set up from?? Kind regards

 

[BrewMeHappy]

Hi and welocme.

Have a look at the forum sponsors for a good start. Failing that eBay or somewhere similar if you're on a lower budget or don't want to splash out too much. Other that that there are plenty of on line shops but I always try to stay local or with those you get s good service from, and those who use decent couriers. There is also Wilko's as another option.

I started with a Cooper's kits years ago and I still use 99% of it now. They are still available as far as I'm aware but don't think they come with the European kit, which is an excellent brew by the way.

 

[Clint]

Best advice I can give you....instead of cheap think of reliable.

 

[Col81]

Thank you I've been quoted £50 from a homebrew store online for full set up with 40 pints. I only really drink stella so was advised the European was the nearest taste.

Not sure if it will work but I will give it a go it's a cheap hobbies (it seems). I cant wait. Seems odd there is so little choice though with coopers etc being main one.

 

[Scottyburto]

Wilkos is your best place to start at the minute, u will still be reliant on the quality of your local one though. At least will wilkos u can get all you need to test the water without spending too much.
There are lots of quality online shops but you'll be paying for delivery and most have very limited stock.
Prior the lockdown "the range" had a limited selection but enough for u to try home brewing and a very reasonable starter kit that included an actual brew kit.
If u have a good search on this forum there's a step by step first brew thread which details the absolute minimum you need to brew a beer and with better instructions than the ones that come with the kit. Brew master Ben on YouTube is good for beginners.

 

[Scottyburto]

There's some very respected and knowledgeable people on the forum who can help u avoid first brew pitfalls! Listen to Clint he knows his onions! And chillis and Curry's and...

 

[Clint]

Me...? I'm just the resident drunk...along with H...and that Chippie tea..

 

[Col81]

Drink far more than I should probably 15-20 pints a week of stella spending about £30 a week I am a home drinker only. Hopefully this will save me a lot of cash in the current climate I need to save money

 

[Ezza]

Wilko or the Range

 

[Col81]

This is where it is difficult looked at wilko online they have lots of products but not everything that the shops reccomend I need. I think I'm best sticking to a shop specialist

 

[Banbeer]

@Col81, sorry to disappoint you on a Friday eve but Coopers Eurolager, although a nice pint that I brewed many times a while back will never taste like Stella, the only upside is after 10 pints you won't want to smack your partner, unless this is your bag of course? Coopers all inclusive brewing kits are probably the best you can buy and you will get a kit you can brew with it. Good luck and happy brewing.

 

[Clint]

You need...
A fermentation vessel...bucket.
A long stirring spoon..if you have a long spoon you don't need one.
A Syphon tube or if your bucket has a tap a bottling wand. A basic Syphon is probably cheaper.
Bottles. You can get free bottles from anywhere they throw bottles out. Plastic fizzy pop or water bottles are fine but they MUST have held fizzy stuff!
Sanitiser...you MUST sanitise EVERYTHING that comes into contact with your beer and kit.
Cleaner... You need to CLEAN everything before you sanitise. You can't sanitise muck! Get Wilko or supermarket basic,unperfumed,"oxi".
A jug...handy for topping up your bucket with water.
Hydrometer...cheap from Wilko...to test your starting gravity and your final gravity so you know fermentation has finished and it's safe to bottle..and your abv..
Sugar...silver spoon, cheap as you can find...you can do your beer kit with a kg of sugar. It'll be a bit thin but it'll be beer and it'll be drinkable. More money and a better result you can use a "beer enhancer" product. You also use the sugar to prime your bottles to give the fizz.
Nice to have.....
Airlock...to see the bubbles but not essential but they cost pence so get one!
So...you can do this for a small outlay ..
Kits...
The Cooper's are good start..as are Wilko.
Reality check...you won't be making Stella...it'll be a generic lager.
Patience....beer instructions are a bit enthusiastic...a decent brew takes at least 6 weeks...2 each of fermentation,carbonation and conditioning.

 

[Col81]

Oh ok this is what the shop I went to said!! Is the normal coopers lager ok?

 

[Clint]

Dunno,not done it..

 

[Col81]

Ok so that's 2 of you mentioned the coopers kits can anyone post a picture of one I will go with that. Thanks Clint!

 

[Clint]

No worries..you'll be ok.
Also have a look on YouTube...look for Craigtube...(I think!) He does loads of Cooper's stuff...

 

[Col81]

Failing this I will try wine ha ha

 

[Banbeer]

Is the normal coopers lager ok?

Yeah, most kits are OK as long as you sanitise as @Clint reffered to and be patient, don't keep lifting the lid on the FV etc.

 

[Col81]

Could do with someone to show me and give tips ideally might be someone local

 

[Clint]

Look up Craig on YouTube...