My mate has recently started brewing his own beer and was down at his house on Saturday and he has convinced me to get it started myself. Just spotted this massive thread and looking for some advice before I go and buy a starters kit. Was going to pick up one of these tomorrow
http://www.brewstore.co.uk/premium-selection-beer-brewing-starter-kit-4191-p.asp
that's how i started, but with a micro brewery one from woodfordes. easy to do and great results. i find it takes 40 mins from sterilizing everything properly to getting it ready in the fermenter with it brew belt round it - get one of these. the wherry kit is a great starter kit, easy to brew, only need the kit as it is and it's 40 great pints. then develop from there if you like it. i still only brew using kit's due to space and not wanting an 8 hour brew - laziness - but the brews i have done from kit's have all been excellent and they are:
woodfordes Wherry - lovely drop
woodfordes sundew - very nice
woodfordes admirals reserve - lovely a little chilled!
cheap crap brewmaker freebie - brewed it to 6% and was not bad.
coopers pale ale - lovely
coopers real ale - ok, not my favourite
coopers mexican cervexa - lovely
coopers european lager - beautiful after 15 plus weeks, nice before
to come:
wilko golden ale
coopers stout - ditches receipe on the jims beer kit forums x2 - using different spray malts for this
woodfordes wherry
coopers euro
i love brewing, now have 2 kegs, one standard kit and one king keg, 24 ltr bottles x 2!
enjoy!