Recipes for 5 gallons

This is an unconventional approach to homebrew recipes.  Some may not approve.

These are simply ballpark amounts with which a homebrewer can start experimenting.  There are thousands of homebrew recipes available online.  If you want to start with one of those, be my guest.  However, I bet you could make your OWN recipe that is just as good using the suggestions below. 

Talk to your local homebrew shop or brewery.  What grains can you get a good deal on?  One of the breweries in my area offers homebrewers grain for about half the price of homebrew shops.  Most shops will grind the grains for you if you ask.  Eventually, you will probably purchase your own mill. 

Another great way to get started is to use a pre-made kit from a homebrew supply sture like morebeer.com

Are there hops grown locally?  Have you considered growing your own hops?  (it’s easy to do)

In general bittering hops have little “character” but provide bitterness at a reasonable price.  Modern varieties include Magnum, Nugget, Warrior, Chinook, Simcoe, Horizon, Eroica, etc.  Anything over 10% alpha acid (10% AA) should qualify.

Character and Aroma hops provide less bitterness than well, character and aroma.  Some of my favorites include Kent Golding, Amarillo, Cascade, Fuggle, Willamette, Saaz, etc.  These hops are usually less than 8% alpha acid.