Brewing can seem pretty complicated at first. When I decided that I wanted to brew I knew enough to know that I didn't know much. As I set in to figure out what to do first I talked to a few people, consulted the web, and looked for something comprehensive to serve as a launch point. A friend at the local homebrew shop gave me a great suggestion- Charlie Papazian's "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing". Turns out this book is widely considered to be the "homebrewer's bible" (an AP review line on the cover says so) , and the first couple chapters are fantastically geared for beginners. After the first forty pages you'll have a good understanding of what's needed to get going.
Even with the introduction from the bible under my belt I was still unsure of how to actually get down to brewing. I'm a hands-on learner and needed a jump start, so I ordered the "new brewer's complete homebrew kit" from a website called brewmonster.com. The kit came with an all-extract recipe and ingredients, specific instructions, equipment, and bottles. It was perfect for a first timer, and the result was a decent amber beer.
Since that first brew I've been working off partial-mash recipes and have developed my procedures into a comfortable routine, but that's for another article. Until then if you're interested in brewing check out the homebrewer's bible, and get yourself a beginner's kit. It'll set you back $150 or so, but I doubt you'll regret it.
Happy brewing!
