Decided to start a blog to make record of the brews I make

I will add in the brewing notes when I get home.

First brew I'm making is "Black Bear Brown Ale" kit from http://www.windriverbrew.com/. Their customer service was excellent and they will answer all your questions (and newbie worries like I had) when you call them. I selected the liquid yeast option (Wyeast #1028 London Ale).

I ordered their "apprentice" kit which includes everything needed for a basic single fermentation vessel brewed ale. (plastic fermentation bucket + bottling bucket.. no carboys).

The specs for this ingredient kit is:

3.3 lbs. Amber malt extract
3.3 lbs. Dark malt extract
1 oz. Cascade bittering hops (42 min)
1 oz. Fuggles aroma hops (8 min)
3/4 lb. Crystal 80°L malts
1/8 lb. Chocolate malts
1/8 lb. Special Roast grain blend
yeast (upgraded to liquid Wyeast #1028 London Ale in "smack pack"; this is the 175mL activator, that supposedly shouldn't require a starter to be made)
priming sugar (corn sugar, ~ 5oz.)