Just a big ol thank you. Been trying to catch up to all the podcasts since finding the BN back in February. My wife got me started with a Mr Beer kit for Christmas. After a couple attempts with that, I moved up to 5 gallons with a bucket. Sticking with extract and specialty grains for now. The Session show that discussed how to prioritize gear really helped. I just ordered a 35 quart ss pot and the Classic Styles book (found a good price on overstock.com.. only $1 to ship). Then ordered an immersion chiller and 2000ml flask from northern brewer (again, good S&H price of $8). Already had a turkey fryer in the basement that never gets used (actually my father-in-law's), so I have the burner already. My wife will be happy to see the brewing move outside and I'm psyched to be able to go to full boils. Last brew (just bottled a Sierra PA clone) I actually boiled about 3 gallons of water the night before knowing I'd need to add it to the fermenting bucket as I only have pasta pots for stovetop brewing. According to the guys on that particular podcast (I think Jamil was on that one too) going full boil is the right next step. Have yet to make a starter, but I picked up some WhiteLabs WLP300 for an extract hefe brew which will be the first batch with the new equipment.
Going to take the great advice and not try to advance too fast. Going to stick with extract, get used to the full boil and making starters, and see how fine-tuned I can make that process. Living on the MA/NH border, we get pretty big seasonal temp changes, so temp control of the fermentation is tough. Not ready to spend even more $$ just yet on that. Managed to keep the Sierra bucket around 64-65 during the first days using a cool room in the house and a large bucket with room temp water to sit the fermenting bucket in. Then moved it to a slightly warmer area (66-67°) to keep it in that temp range for the remainder of the 2 weeks. Come warmer weather, I'll be better off, as the basement will stay in the 60s, but the upstairs will be in the low-mid 70s (with central air for the summer).
The discussions on the Sunday Session have provided a ton of great info and some great entertainment on the hour+ commuter bus ride into Boston to work. (the "Unofficial Show" had me straining not to laugh out loud like a lunatic on the bus). Can You Brew It and Brew Strong have been great as well. Lots of catching up to do still, but each show proves to have a nugget or two of valuable info regardless of the topic or how drunk Doc gets.
I have yet to listen to a live show, being on the east coast, but the podcasts are fantastic. Will be sending a few bucks in monthly soon.
Suck it!
Enjoy!