The Best Home Beer Brewing Kits
Though it may come as a surprise, human beings have been brewing beer right in their homes for thousands of years. In fact, home-brewing is undergoing a bit of a comeback lately. People enjoy the experience, and there's truly nothing better than drinking the fruits of your labor. There are tons of various at-home brewing kits to pick from, and we've gathered a few of the ones we like best in hopes that they will make the beer-lover in your home...ahem...hoppy.
Mr. Beer Beer Making Kit
The Whole Kit And Kaboodle
The reason this kit gets our “best overall” stamp of approval? You can brew an entire batch in the time it takes to watch one episode of The Office. Because Mr. Beer uses a pre-hopped malt mixture, this helps to not only reduce prep time but also decreases the chance of any sort of contamination that may occur during more intensive processes. The 2-gallon keg has an attached faucet to make for easy bottling once the fermentation process is done. And the final bonus? Unlike many other comparable kits, this one even includes reusable bottles and caps.
Pros:
- Extremely cost-effective for such an all-inclusive kit
- Suitable for small spaces
- This brand has many helpful online resources to answer questions and offer suggestions for recipes
Con:
- Fermentation time is 3-4 weeks which may be a bit longer than some other kits
Craft A Brew American Pale Ale Beer Kit
When you’re just learning any new skill, it’s often best to move slowly and not waste supplies or ingredients. And since this box makes just one gallon at a time (as opposed to two or five like other kits), it’s ideal for newbies. You’re given everything you need to begin your home brewing journey, and all of the equipment is meant for multiple uses. That means that once you are a pro, you can try your hand at making other ales. Another great benefit of this specific brand is that you’re able to buy refill ingredients without unnecessarily repurchasing hardware.
Pros:
- Not only are instructions are included, but there is also a helpful YouTube tutorial channel
- Available in 12 various blends including a gluten-free ale and Hefeweizen, the latter of which can be difficult to find in a homebrew kit
Con:
- Bottling equipment is not included
Northern Brewer Homebrewing Set
A Beer, A Beer, My Kingdom For A Beer
To quote William Shakespeare, “A quart of Ale is a dish for a king.” So if 5-gallons is equal to twenty quarts, you may as well be royalty with this unbelievably comprehensive kit. Though this is on the pricier side, you’re getting loads of bang for your buck. In addition to the typical items included in most kits, you’re also provided with tons of extras including the brew pot, two fermenters, a bottle capper, and even sanitizer and a bottle brush to ensure all of your equipment stays clean. Your entire kingdom will surely be beyond satisfied with your homemade libations.
Pros:
- There are “brewmaster” videos available online where you can watch step-by-step tutorials from the company
- Reusable hardware
Con:
- The bottling process may tend to get messy
Craft A Brew Hard Cider Brew Kit
The Apple Of My Eye
Hard cider has been a Godsend for the beer drinker who just can’t imagine trading their frosty pint for a cocktail. We think the best thing about this particular kit is that you choose the juice. That means you can ensure the result tastes exactly how you want. If you like your cider crisp and smooth, you can opt for a basic natural apple juice. But if you enjoy your drink a bit murkier and thicker, you can use a less filtered base, like a pre-made apple cider. This kit also comes with an amazing recipe book that has tons of suggestions for other ways to use your mixture, so there’s absolutely no shortage of drinks to create.
Pros:
- Provides more variety in beverages than a regular beer-making kit
- Easy and helpful instructions
Con:
- Bottles and caps are not included
Frequently Asked Questions
Since most kits on the market don’t include bottles, do I need to get a specific kind?
Yes – the bottles you choose will need to be able to keep pressure in. An easy way to ensure you’re working with suitable bottles is by simply reusing empty beer or soda bottles that held those beverages previously. If you’d rather just purchase brand new bottles, they’re readily available through various online retailers. Also, while we’re on the subject of bottling, you should ensure that you don’t add too much sugar during the brewing process. Your beer may end up more like champagne and you’ll get a surprising celebratory spray when you uncap your drink.
How should I be sanitizing my equipment?
You should always wash all of your hardware before using it for the first time, preferably with warm water and a sanitizing solution. Subsequently, all items that come in your kit should be cleaned after use as well. If the kit didn’t come with any sanitizing solution, you can, use bleach and warm water and allow everything to soak overnight. A big thing to remember is to only use a soft cloth or rag if you need to do any scrubbing, so as not to scratch or otherwise damage anything.
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