Welcome to the forum BrettCo,
No matter what you start with it boils down ( pun intended ) to this:
1) water quality
2) sanitation
3) fermentation temp
4 -09) sanitation
10) PATIENCE
Full size truck vs not a real one
V8 vs V6
" it's better to have it and not need it , than to need it & not have it. "
Especially since there is only a $2,000 difference