If you come to Norhtern Brewer, I would recomend the better basic kit. That is about $120 to $130 depending if you get glass or better bottle carboys. Comes with everything you need and a DVD to get you going.
You will need a pot that you can boil at least 2 1/2 gallons in, the bigger the better. Full wort boil is the goal. A five gallon pot will cost you about $30 to $50 depending where you get it.
That's it for the equipment if you are doing extract which you can do on the stove top. I would highly recommend doing extract batches until you get the process down.
Most recipies and kits make five gallon batches. That equals two cases of 12oz bottles. You can use the ones you have drank or buy new ones. The ones we sell are the same as the ones New Glarus use. Just stay away from twist off bottles.
If you want to go the keg route, it will be an upfront cost of about $230 for everything assuming you have nothing. Kegging is the way to go if you are impatient.
If you can make it down to Milwaukee on a Monday or Wednesday, I can set you up and throw a discount your way.
