How to get started - What you need to get and where to get it from

I'll cover the basics of Equipment you will need.  Many of the items are things you may already have around that house.

•  Brew kettle - The kettle should be Stainless Steel or Epoxy Coated and be at least 3-4 gallons.  You can use Aluminum, but some special concerns should be addressed.
•  Gas Stove or Turkey Deep Fryer - Just after ThanksGiving you can get a great deal on these.  Don't worry about BTU's.  You will use it at the very low end of it's abilities. 150-210 degrees.  Sometimes you can find one with a 5 gallon Stainless Pot and lid which can be used as your brew kettle.
• Primary Fermenter - This can be a 6 Gallon plastic bucket with a lid, or a 6 gallon Glass Carboy.  If you get a Carboy, get a brush to clean it too.   
• Wert Whip or long handled spoon.  
•  Digital cooking Thermometer with a remote probe  
• Cleaning Solutions - You will need some "One-Step" and a bottle of Iodine.  DO NOT USE CHLORINE BASED CLEANERS.  There are some acid based cleaners as well, but I am not familure with them.  I have heard good things about them.
• Funnel - if you are using a Glass Carboy 
• AirLock - This is a device that allows CO2 out, but does not let air in.  I prefer the 3 piece style airlock because they are easier to clean.  You will also need a drilled rubber stopper to fit the airlock to the glass carboy, or if you are using a plastic bucket, a lid with a hole and a gasket.
• 3 feet of clear hose 
• Racking cane or Auto Siphon. - The Autosiphon cost a little more, but it is worth it.  
• Bottle Capper, and Bottles 
• Bottling Bucket with Valve and Bottle Filler.
• (Optional) a Theif and a Hydrometer - These are used to measure "Specific Gravity" which can help you determin the alcohol content in your beer.  In brewing a Malt Extract, this is not required.

Some of these supplies you can find at your local stores, but some of the items you will need to get from a home brew shop.   Listermann's ( http://www.listermann.com/ ) is a great shop that is near me.  Thier brewing recipies are great and go the extra mile to make a great Malt Extract kit.

You can find whole kits that usualy come with the plastic buckets for around $80-$100 and you just need to get a brew kettle and a way to heat it.  I would highly recommend the AutoSiphon.

Go gather up your stuff and pick a good brew recipe to start with.  I have been very happy with the kits provided my Listermann's.  They include the Malt Extract, Hops, Yeast, Hop Bags, directions, and Grain.  They have been superior to some of the other kits I have seen.

I would recommend starting out with a Pale Ale or an IPA.  These are both fairly bitter and easy to brew.  The bitterness can help hide minor improfections.  Listermann's American Pale Ale is somewhat more bitter than a Bass, but not as bitter as a Siera Nevada.

Look for the next post when we start brewing an American Pale Ale!