Indeed, I guess it goes without saying that not all home brewing kits are created equal, and it also goes without saying that if you want to produce a quality beer with a decent head, one you could float a bottle cap on, as if it was the first beer out of the keg, then you need to pay attention. You must study the various home brewing kits, and understand the chemistry and physics behind how it all works and why.
Many folks like the concept of DIY beer, and they want to re-invent the wheel. Okay fine, but there have been 100s and 100s of years behind the making of beer, so let's not get too cocky here. Secondly, you'd be surprised how well some of the simplest of systems work and how easy it really is. If you screw it up believe me you will know it, as it will taste like absolute crap, and you'll kick yourself for not following instructions.
Why not do this, go online and look on Google Images searching "home brew kits" - and see the different schematics and designs. Choose one that is simple, and then go to that website and see the cost and see if that is in your budget, then determine if you really want to be the guy on the block who has his own back-yard micro-brewery.
One thing that many home brewers have found is that the odor often offends the neighbors, so if you live in a neighborhood where everyone lives very close together, you could have issues. Also, there are health rules about brewing for anything other than self-consumption, so don't be thinking you can recoup costs by selling your excess, it doesn't work that way, plus you are setting yourself up for legal liability anyway.
If after you do all this research and you still decide you want to go for it, then follow the instructions and do it their way first. Only after you have experience, and knowledge of the complete process should you try to go and modify anything. Oh yes, and one last thing, home brewing of beer is quite a bit different than making your own bio-fuel for your car, so don't be thinking you can use that same system to make both beer and fuel, okay?
Lastly, please check your local ordinances, as many cities, counties, and some states have restrictions, and/or rules against home brewing, and if you get arrested for breaking the law, you will be placed into a gated community with no beer at all!
By Lance Winslow
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