I've been homebrewing since ~2002(ish), it's stupid simple to make a beer better than 99% you can buy. Don't expect it the first time though.

I've done extract, I've done all grain, I've done BIAAB... I now do extract exclusively, the output quality was So small in difference that the equipment cost and time investment (plus chance for fucking up) just weren't worth it. A $50 "beer kit", a big pot and a bucket or jug with airlock are all you need. Well, plus some tap water and other shit you already have.

Suggestions: know what temperature your home will be during the fermentation and find a beer/yeast that excels at that temp. You're not going to brew a lager (bud/miller/coors) in Floriduh in August... look at a "saison" or "hefeweizen" ~ both are room temp tolerant. Sanatization is important, don't skimp here. And Bottles suck, they beyond suck... do it twice... once for your first trash beer, once for your first drinkable beer and then invest in kegs when you know you'll keep doing this.

I've never found "local" brewers in any of the ~8 different places I've lived since starting. I used to read books and online forums, but honestly the instructions that come in the box with a kit is all that's needed. Clearly, many dive WAY deeper, but to have good, drinkable beer doesn't require it. 4 hours of time gives me a years supply of beer.

I started homebrewing about six years ago. What started as a Christmas gift and was a complete failure. My suggestion to add to this; find a local homebrew group in your area. Many provision stores have demonstrations and watch that. You may want to start with Extract brewing before taking on Grain Brewing. The $200 Beginner sets are very good. It can be done cheap, but the reality is, you need to spend $200 to $250 to really start out.

Check out Craigslist for people selling. Many People start out then sell the kits.

My go to shop www.morebeer.com But I also use the local shops. https://www.windsorhomebrewsupply.com/

Others https://www.northernbrewer.com/ https://www.midwestsupplies.com/

Good Luck, its a lot of fun. I will say I give away more beer than I drink.