Raw materials better than a kit ?
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lancealot
Raw materials better than a kit ?
hi looking at your forum and information, and I love reading about your exploits. I've been brewing for 2 years now and only have used >£15 two tin kits. I spoke to my local beer supplier www.burghleyhomebrew.co.uk and asked him about using the raw materials - he said that "kits are so good now its not worth it, that the time spent mashing and boiling is not worth it.. " The taste is proof of any endeavour so please tell me what's your view ? (I'm a plumbing and heating installer so making the tuns etc doesnt look difficult at all, but i need to know if its worth it...)
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tubby_shaw
The longer answer is also yes 
But if you only want an acceptable drink with the minimum of fuss stick with the two can kits
If you want to drink really great beer, better than you can buy in the pub (commercial brewers have to stick to a budget
) that you have total control over, grain brewing is the way to go.
As you already have practical skill making the equipment is cheap and easy and once you have a few brews under your belt the procedure is easy too, most of the time is spent twiddling your thumbs waiting for things to happen. While my mash was on today I went shopping 
I am sure the other grain brewers will agree.
But if you only want an acceptable drink with the minimum of fuss stick with the two can kits
If you want to drink really great beer, better than you can buy in the pub (commercial brewers have to stick to a budget
) that you have total control over, grain brewing is the way to go.As you already have practical skill making the equipment is cheap and easy
and once you have a few brews under your belt the procedure is easy too, most of the time is spent twiddling your thumbs waiting for things to happen. While my mash was on today I went shopping I am sure the other grain brewers will agree.
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Horden Hillbilly
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There is no doubt in my mind that the top of the range kits are good, ie Brupaks, Woodfordes Wherry, etc. I am drinking a Woodfordes Wherry myself now for the first time and I am pleasently surprised at how good it is, however imho there is no substitute for ag brewing. The taste of the finished brew easily compares with the finest real ales you can buy in pubs, at a tenth of the price!
I still make kits on the odd occasion when I am pushed for time, usually before Christmas when I work 6 days a week and have to find time for Christmas shopping on top of that, but I have been brewing ag about 11 years now, apart from the excellent results it is a great feeling enjoying a beer knowing that it is all your own work and you have 100% control over it, you can make exacly what you want to drink rather than buying a kit where you only have very limited options if you want to change its character.
I still make kits on the odd occasion when I am pushed for time, usually before Christmas when I work 6 days a week and have to find time for Christmas shopping on top of that, but I have been brewing ag about 11 years now, apart from the excellent results it is a great feeling enjoying a beer knowing that it is all your own work and you have 100% control over it, you can make exacly what you want to drink rather than buying a kit where you only have very limited options if you want to change its character.
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ColinKeb
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lancealot
thank you very much for all your help, i am enjoying the kits right now and i am planning to build a beer station in the garage, hence the reason to look at this website so maybe i might start to gather the equipment and plan the station a bit different. does the boiler part of the kit need to boil at 10 celcius as an immersion heater should'nt get that hot should it ?