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.