Introduction

One of the most rewarding things any beer drinker can do, is brew your own beverage, which is why we’ve decided to write about the best beer brewing kit that would suit beginners. We all enjoy a drink down at the local bar where we get a choice of 3-6 different beers on tap.

Imagine experimenting with your own brew where you are the one in control of the end result. You don’t have to settle for the same beer every time either, there’s many different varieties of larger, bitter, stout, pilsner or pale ale for you to create.

Brewing your own beer from home became popular in the 1980’s and has not really declined. In fact, the equipment has only got much better, making the finished product much nicer to taste than what my father concocted!

It’s very satisfying to invite guests around, sit them on a bar stool in your man cave, and offer them your home brew knowing it’s already passed the taste test. Do make sure they will be suitably impressed before serving though.

Anyway, here’s a guide so you know what to look for when buying your first beer brewing kit.

Beer Brewing Kit Buying Guide

When it comes to equipping yourself to brew your own beer, many factors come into play. How much supply do you intend to make, where are you going to access more ingredients, how will you store your beer. So, with this in mind, here’s a few things to contemplate when searching for your first beer brew kit.

Equipment

Although you want to get stuck into brewing, you are first required to assembe your brewing kit. This is where it is advisable to get an easy to install kit with assembly instructions. The majority of home brewing kits will come with instructions, but just something to keep in the back of your mind.

Look for reviews to see how easy these brew kits are to put together. Some people make it really easy to make a decision as they sometimes upload videos to show how they’ve put their kits together. Some companies even include a DVD so you can see much clearer, how the kit is assembled. Any advice or instructions are all a bonus.

You also want your equipment to be of good quality. For instance, some things like the Brew Kettle come in Aluminium or Stainless-steel. You want the Stainless-steel option as its stronger and more durable, but it will cost you a little more.

Lastly with the equipment side of things, you might want to have a look around your house and decide if you want a small-batch homebrew kit or a larger one. You may have a decent size garage, but it may already be stocked full of car parts! For some people it’s best to start small and build up.

Accessibility to More

By accessibility we mean, will you be able to purchase more of the exact some ingredients or equipment either online or in store. This basically comes back to brand reputability. If a brand is reasonably well known in the industry, then the chances are they will have their products and parts at various retailers. Either that or found easily online.

With newcomers into the market, you may not have this convenience. That’s not to say any new brands are not as good or you will not be able to resource their ingredients. We’re just advising a bit of due diligence.

Whilst we’re mentioning brands, it would always be advisable to determine if they offer a warranty. This is always a good way to confirm the quality of the goods.

Extras Such as Bottling

Bottles are generally not included in most beer kits, but some do come with a bottle capper and bottle tops. I find having a capper included is very beneficial as you’re eventually going to make a brew that will be good enough for storing. When this time comes, you’re going to have to buy a bottle capper anyway.

Oh, and when you do buy bottles for storing, make sure they’re glass. The beer will taste so much better.

Another item to look out for, as stated above, is an instructional DVD as opposed to a booklet. Watching how it’s done is always easier than reading how it’s done. Written instructions always tend to miss out something crucial, obviously not intended but it happens.

In our list of best beer brewing kit sets for this year, we’ve given a variety of sizes and price ranges. Hopefully you can find something that suits.

If you’re after a brew kit to start immediately brewing your own beer right out of the box, then you couldn’t go too wrong with this first timer kit. Perfect for beginners, you’ll be crafting your own ales within no time.

It includes everything you require to start off and you’ll even receive a Block Party Amber Ale recipe kit. This Amber Ale is a great starter to share with your mates or neighbours.

The kit itself includes a 6.5-gallon fermenter with lid & bubbler airlock to allow gases to escape whilst keeping the atmosphere oxygen from entering inside. A bottling bucket and spigot assembly are also included to help with pouring your amber ale.

You’ll really benefit if you intend making more than a sample of beer, with the 5-gallon stainless steel brew kettle. This is usually the first big investment a brewer makes so to have a stainless-steel kettle included in this size is a great addition. In time you may opt for a larger kettle but as a beginner, this is the perfect size.

Other inclusions include a 21” stainless spoon for stirring and a bottle filler which allows for easy filling. Just simply insert the filler allowing it to depress on the bottom of the bottle and the flow will begin.

Your siphoning equipment includes a siphon, 5 ft. siphon tubing & siphon tube holder. A sanitizer/cleaner known as the ‘Oxygen Wash’ and a bottle brush for washing out your bottles also comes with this beer brewing kit.

You’re going to need to cap your bottled beer so a bottle capper with 60 caps have also been thrown in. Yes, you do get a complete set for starting out here and as a bonus they also give you a 20% OFF coupon code. This can be used for a subsequent purchase in the future should you require anything else.

Great features include:

• Stainless Brew Kettle (5 gallons)
• Block Party Amber Ale recipe kit
• Bottle filler and capper
• 6.5-gallon fermenter
• 20% OFF coupon code

The instructions for putting all this together are not as detailed as they could be, but there is a video explaining how to do this. In fact, we’ll include it below.

 

 

Over 130 reviews have been submitted for this beer kit with a 4.7-star rating. That’s a great result because with brewing kits, most people have something to complain about.

There’s not many complaints here. Some people have suggested that more sanitizer needs to be included and the lid of the fermenter bucket can be a bit tight. Those issues are no big deal to be honest.

Go ahead and check it out for yourself, click on the product image or the ‘Check it Out’ button.

Big brother of the previous brewing kit we just reviewed, it’s the deluxe model! Featuring a different brew to get you started, you will receive the recipe and ingredients for the Chinook IPA brew. This beer has a more intense aroma and the Chinook hops have been used as a bittering addition in the US for a long time.

Unlike the cheaper brewing kit above, you’ll receive an instructional DVD which helps not only set-up your deluxe starter kit but also brewing techniques and tips.

Another difference is, that there’s a pair of large carboys, which are glass vessels used for a two-stage fermentation process. Atmospheric oxygen can harm your brew and the carboys purpose is to not allow oxygen in. The first carboy is 6-gallon which is a Primary fermenter, it comes with a bung & airlock. The second is a Secondary fermenter and is 5-gallons, also with bung & airlock. Carboy brush and dryer also come with the kit.

This 2-vessel system also gives other options. Such as moving your beer from one fermenter to another to be aged or have additional ingredients added.

You will also get a Blowoff hose, funnel & Fermagraf° which is a thermometer to keep your brew fermentation on track. This uses liquid crystals to indicate the temperature within ±2°F. The Fermagraf° also has marked ranges of fermentation temperature for each type of brew, Lagers, Ales, Belgian Ales and even Red & White wines.

A clearer and cleaner-tasting beer is what you can expect from the extra equipment and steps taken with the deluxe version of this cool beer brewing kit.

Great features include:

• 2 x Glass Carboys (secondary fermenting)
• Fermagraf° thermometer
• Carboy cleaning equipment
• Instructional DVD
• Chinook IPA Beer Recipe Kit

Note the deluxe version does not come with a brew kettle to brew in, instead supplying the 2 carboys for primary and secondary fermentation. You will be required to purchase a 4 to 5-gallon brew kettle.

With a 4.6-star rating from over 40 customers, another top choice. Read them for yourself.

Are you stuck in a pokey little apartment but still want to get in on the brewing phenomenon? You may really benefit from this small starter brewing kit that is tidy and all stores neatly away.

The brew box kit is made in the USA and is handcrafted from rustic pine, it’s a lovely complement to a bright apartment.

You may not get the capacity of the other reviewed kits but that’s the whole point. This is a 1-gallon starter kit which will fill approximately 10 bottles. The design is very cleverly put together and is extremely compact. Perfect for small living accommodation and would look lovely alongside your liquor cabinet.

You will love the 4, five ounces sampler glasses that accompany this brew kit that also come with coasters to match.

So, what exactly do you get in this extraordinary kit? Here’s the rundown. It includes a 1-gallon glass fermenter with a crystal thermometer. The sampler glasses and coasters we’ve just mentioned plus a plastic racking cane for siphoning your beer. You’ll also get all necessary implements to get you brewing you own beer, except for this main piece of equipment. A brewing pot. It’s recommended you purchase 2 medium-sized pots separately to boil the beer.

Other items that are not included: ingredients and bottles to pour your beer into. You are made well-aware of this before purchasing.

Great features include:

• 1-gallon glass fermenter
• Handcrafted wooden Box Kit
• 4 x 5oz sampler glasses
• Recipe booklet
• Instructions & log book

A booklet with great instructions are included which also comprises 25 recipes in nearly every beer style. This booklet is a really nice touch and fits nicely in one of the wooden box compartments. The booklet also has reference charts and an Appendix with helpful FAQs.

There’s not been as many sales as it’s a newer product, but the customer ratings are extremely encouraging with a rating of 5 stars. Click the ‘Check it Out’ button to see more specifications.

If you want to get straight into brewing as soon as your brew kit arrives, maybe this kit would be your preferred preference. You’ll receive everything needed to begin including a brew kettle and all ingredients to craft the Goose Island Porter brew.

The kit comprises a Goose Island 6.5-gallon fermenter with lid & bubbler airlock, a good size to start with if you have a garage or man cave for storing your beer. A bottling bucket with spigot assembly, bottle filler, 2inch stainless-steel spoon and all the siphoning equipment are all part of this out of the box kit.

All other cleaning and sanitizing facilities are included along with bottling equipment such as capper and bottling bucket. Bottle caps also come enclosed in the box, but you will not receive any bottles.

You won’t have to go out and purchase a brewing kettle as a 5-gallon pot is included as part of the set. So, everything needed to brew out a batch of Goose Island Porter is included, so as a gift it’s perfect. The recipient will not need anything else apart from various new ingredient kits for different flavoured ales to brew in the future.

There is no thermometer included but you can brew without this. It may be advisable to purchase a thermometer if taking this up as a hobby and experimenting more.

Top features include:

• All-in-one-kit
• Recipe & ingredients
• Stainless-steel brewing kettle
• Sanitizing equipment
• Bottle filler

As a beginner into the brewing interest, there’s quite a few great brew kits to get you started but this is a set that incorporates everything to get you started. You may require a few additions later such as a thermostat but out of the box, this works well.

Remember also, that you’ll need bottles once your first brew is made. Then it’s up to you to buy other brewing recipes like you would with any other kit. Try an ale, a pilsner or a bitter that you’ll be proud to show your mates.

Customers surely recommend this giving it a 4.8 star rating. To check more specifications and FAQs, click on the accompanying image.

Strangely enough, this full home brew kit is in close comparison to the previous set we reviewed and has a great name associated with it. Made by ‘Strange Brew’, you’ll also get a cool bumper sticker to show off your new home brewing skills (oh, and it’s a plug for the Strange Brew ‘company!).

Still, its hard to go wrong with this kit as everything needed to get you brewing straight away is included. You’ll have all the equipment to craft 5 gallons of your Strange Brew ale. Not only that, a book titled ‘’Zymurgy for the Home-Brewer and Beer Lover Book’ is yours when you purchase this kit. Zymurgy being the study of fermentation in brewing in case you didn’t know.

Another addition that sets this kit apart from the others is that you’ll also get toll free brew support. So, if you ever need help or require advice, just give them a call and they’ll help you out. (I’d suggest you sign up to some home brew forums also, it’s great to interact with other likeminded home brewers).

So, all the equipment is included. Most items have been mentioned on the above review but for a detailed description and specifications, click the ‘Check it Out’ button.

Great features include:

• 5-gallon stainless-steel brew kettle with lid
• Hydrometer
• 3 Piece Airlock
• C-Brite Sanitizer 8-Pack
• Ingredients for 5 gallons of home-brewed Ale

The kit comes with a springless bottle filler which may or may not be beneficial. Some people tend to use them well, others have problems with leakage. Although minor leakage can happen with any bottle fillers.

A 5-star rating puts this up with the best beer brewing kit sets around. In fact, one review states that he uses it to lecture students in a university level course. It can’t be all that bad!

From the same company that bought you the ‘Handcrafted Small Batch Beer Brewing Kit’, this one is not dissimilar and is full of class. Slightly smaller in size than its predecessor, it measures 10 inches wide and 20 inches long. Perfect for a small apartment or villa.

It comes with a secret drawer for storing additional accessories. Your equipment provided are a 1-gallon glass fermenter and a triple-scale hydrometer with test jar and stand. This is for measuring your alcohol content. For quick and easy transferring your beer between vessels, an Auto-siphon is included.

You’ll also get the very useful laboratory thermometer, three-piece plastic airlock, drilled rubber stopper, 2-inch Stainless-Steel Funnel and an extra jar for priming sugar, sanitizer etc.

Add to this the 4-foot length of 3/8 inch tubing, for siphoning your beer and you’re all set! And as a bonus, the brewers log and recipe book are also thrown in.

Like most other kits, there are no bottles included in this kit, nor are there any ingredients or recipe packs. Although they are available for purchase separately.

Great features include:

• Laboratory Thermometer
• Recipe book (over 25 recipes)
• 1-gallon glass fermenter
• Apartment size kit

There’s only been a small amount of sales, but the reviews have been great, especially regarding the customer service.

Reviews are rated at 5-stars but as we mention, only a limited amount sold.

Conclusion

Crafting your own beer is a fun hobby and extremely satisfying when you create a brew that tastes close to what you expected, or even better. All these brew kits are going to do the job, it’s basically a matter of size and convenience as to which is your preference.

I’d advise against the smaller kits unless you have a smaller living space. They are a lovely convenient kit but if you want to expend in the future, the larger sets have more going for them.

I’d also look at how easy these kits are to assemble. I really like the idea of an instructional DVD like the ‘Deluxe Home Brewing Equipment Starter Kit’. Written instructions are fine, some are not so fine. But a DVD adds a whole different perspective to what your trying to achieve. It is so much more explanatory.

Once you’re on you way and are crafting out some brews, it’s a good idea to get some help via beer brewing software. This can help with recipe storage and ingrediant calculations. You’ll also be able to shar your recipes with friends and check out how other brewers are achieving great results.

Also check out the reviews and see what they have to say about assembling the brewing kits.

Good luck with your choice of brew kit and happy brewing.

If you’d like to share your favorite with us, please feel free to add to the discussion below.

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