I decided I wanted to get into brewing my own beer so for Christmas I'm going to ask for a brewing kit.  Anyone have suggestions on what I need or what I should get?  Do I really need the kit or can I buy the supplies from a hardware store and make the kit myself much cheaper.  I'd like to keep my expenses under $100 so let me know what I can get for that price.  Thanks!

don't buy your supplies in bulk...revenuer's still check for bulk sugar and yeast.

at least, in my neck of the woods.  8-)

ymmv.

I noticed a kit at my local B&M the other day for 50 dollars. Haha I think it'd be pretty sweet to do it but probably wouldn't like the outcome.

I have a lady who works for me, her husband makes his own batch each year around this time.  She brings me in a bottle for christmas, man its potent stuff...

I know a guy who makes his own beer. He had one style that used 6 times the hops as an IPA. He said it cost about $15 per bottle to make....I'll stick with store bought stuff.

Go here http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/starter-kits and buy their better basic starter kit.

Then go here http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/starter-kits and add your ingredient kits to your order.

Any specific questions can be answered here http://forum.northernbrewer.com/

I know a guy who makes his own beer. He had one style that used 6 times the hops as an IPA. He said it cost about $15 per bottle to make....I'll stick with store bought stuff.

He's likely exaggerating a bit or using HUGE bottles.  $15 a bottle would be over $700 for ingredients for a 5 gal batch.  A typical 5 gal batch can cost as low as $20 (for extract, all grain would be cheaper) and makes 2 cases.

I know a guy who makes his own beer. He had one style that used 6 times the hops as an IPA. He said it cost about $15 per bottle to make....I'll stick with store bought stuff.

He's likely exaggerating a bit or using HUGE bottles. $15 a bottle would be over $700 for ingredients for a 5 gal batch. A typical 5 gal batch can cost as low as $20 (for extract, all grain would be cheaper) and makes 2 cases.

I'm not sure how much he made or what he bought vs. what he grew himself. All I know is that he said he had to buy multiple times the normal amount of hops to make it.