I am going to need a hobby once I have moved to Hungary and a UK friend of mine who has been brewing his own beer for years has whetted my appetite to brew my own. How easy is it to acquire beer brewing kits in Hungary?

Beer kits are available as are the component parts from specialist shops. Wine is made extensively - usually from grape but no reason not to use other produce as done in the UK e.g. elderflower, parsnip, apple, plum etc. Wine accessories are widely available in local shops. Palinka is also made as home brew (legally now as you can have a home stil) but this is more involved and there are health risks if you get it wrong.

I think I'd avoid brewing my own palinka unless the mother-in-law supervises me. The parents-in-law did used to brew their own but as they got older decided to sell what they had to a palinka brewing company in return for so many litres back.

Personally we haven't tried the beer kits here purely as the beer is so cheap but we are not big beer drinkers. I have been making wine peaches, plums, redcurrants,with good success so far..Made cider last year so we shall see how it turns out when the kids can get here. I am tempted with palinka this year as our neighbours make it & will show us but the still is a whole new learning curve for us.