Equipment List

Here is what Ive gathered to be the basic equipment needed to get up and running, the parts Im planning on ordering have been linked...

-airlock: goes in the top of the fermentation barrel, also needs one a seal plug.
-boiling pot: should be 5 gallons(18 litres) and safe to sit on the stove with lid. This I have had a little trouble tracking down, Im planning on looking around a market for a cheap one, finding a decent one on ebay that wont cost a fortune to ship or maybe even just finding something that will work in its place at college...
-bottling bucket:beer is transfered here after fermenting to help reduce sediemnt. Basically, its another food grade plastic bucket with a tap attached to the bottom.
-bottles: not quite sure where to find these yet...
-bottle caps and capper
-fermenting barrel: should be slightly larger than the boiling pot(around 6 gallons(or 22 litres) is good) large plastic barrels work a charm. needs a tight fitting lid!
-measuring cup
-large jar: This I have around the house
-syphon tube and tap
-stirring paddle: anyhting but wood
-thermometer: heat range of 40F to 180F and can sit in boiling water

Total: 25.77

Cincinnati Pale Ale

This recipie was pulled right out of the first chapter of the John Palmer book I have been following, the ingredients Ive been able to find pretty readily and for what seems a reasonable price...

(give the links a little time to load once it reaches the home brew shop page...)

Ingredients for a 5 gallon batch

* 3-4 lb. Pale malt extract syrup, unhopped
* 2 lb. Amber dry malt extract
* 12 AAU of bittering hops (any variety)
-Something to note, an AAU amount(here its 12) is calculated by dividing the AAU requirements by the hop percentage, ie. 2oz of 6%AAU for 12 AAU)

* 5 AAU of finishing hops (Cascade or other)
* 2 packets of dried ale yeast

Total: 26.25

Early Bird Gets the Worm

So heres the deal. For a few months now, Ive been thinking about getting my hand stuck in at brewing beer at home. With some careful research and hunting around, I think that Ive found what seems to be a cheap and enjoyable way to do it. Also, Ive been reading through an online version of what seems to be a good book called "How to Brew" by John Palmer. As its the early part of the school term, theres still a good few months to do some shopping and brewing. In the next post, Ill list what Ive gathered to be as the required supplies and a recipie, places Ive found them, and then later on down the road, pictures and whatnot of the brewing process and equipment aswell as the final drink!!