Using a beer-making kit can make the brewing process a lot easier and more enjoyable. But with so many options, how do you know which is best for you? In this blog, we’ll help you find the answer by exploring different types of beer-making kits and their benefits. From beer enthusiasts to individuals looking to craft a brew for the first time, there is a kit for you.  

Can You Make Good Beer from a Kit?

You sure can make good beer from a kit! With the right setup, materials, and processes, you can brew beer that’s tasty and safe to drink. Homebrewing is an exciting way to express your creativity while making something tangible with your hands. When you’re all finished with the process, you’ll even have tasty brews to share with your friends and family!

What Home Beer Brewing Equipment Do I Need? 

To get started, you’ll need the right gear first. Use this checklist to make sure you have the beer brewing equipment essentials:

• Fermenter
• Airlock
• Brew Pot
• Heat Source
• Siphon
• Cleaning Supplies
• Sanitizing Supplies
• Hydrometer
• Capper
• Caps and Bottles
• Bottling Container with Spigot
• Stirring Spoon
• Measuring Cup
• Thermometer

Where Can I Find Homebrewing Equipment?

When brew day comes, you’ll want to make sure you have all the equipment needed. Some of these items you’ll find in your kitchen. For others, you’ll have to check out your local or online beer supply shop. With a homebrew starter kit, you can quickly check off most of the boxes on the above list. For example, our Basic Brewing Starter Kit includes:

• 6.5-gallon fermenter complete with lid and airlock
• 6.5-gallon bottling bucket complete with spigot, tubing, and bottle filler
• Lab-quality thermometer
• Stick-on bucket thermometer
• Hydrometer
• Test jar
• Auto-siphon
• Tubing
• Bottle brush
• Bottles
• Capper
• Bottle caps
• Priming sugar
• One-step cleanser
• Instruction manual
• Phone support, available 7 days a week

Or, if you’re looking for a homebrew starter kit with more bells and whistles, check out our Ultimate Brewing Starter Kit for Bottling:

• 8-gallon stainless steel brew kettle
• Copper immersion wort chiller
• 6.5-gallon glass primary fermenter
• 5-gallon glass secondary fermenter complete with bung and airlock
• 6.5-gallon bottling bucket complete with spigot, tubing, and bottle filler
• Lab thermometer
• Stick-on LCD thermometer
• Stainless steel stirring spoon
• Hydrometer
• Test jar
• Auto-siphon
• Tubing
• Two cases of 12oz bottles
• Bottlebrush
• Red Baron bottle capper
• Bottle caps
• Priming sugar
• Jet carboy and bottle washer
• Carboy brush and dryer
• PBW cleaner
• Star-san sanitizer
• Instruction manual
• Phone support, available 7 days a week

Now that you have your gear, you’ll also need ingredients! Fortunately, you can also find malted grains and hops in convenient beer ingredient kits (recipes included).

Do Home Brewing Kits Work Well?

Home brewing kits work well because they help you set up quickly and efficiently while sticking around for long-term use and value. In other words, homebrewing kits: 

• Contain high-quality homebrewing equipment and/or supplies.
• Reduce tedious shopping time.
• Increase time doing the fun part—brewing beer!

As you invest in your homebrewing hobby, you’ll come across two main types of kits:

• Homebrew Starter Kits: These kits come with the essential equipment you need to get brewin’. You can find fermenting containers, bottling buckets, thermometers, and even bottles and caps inside different starter kits.
• Beer Ingredient Kits: These kits come with the malted grains and hops you need to make a batch of beer. The advantage of these kits is that the ingredients are pre-portioned, so you don’t have to worry about shopping for specific amounts or figuring out how to store leftovers. 

How well a homebrewing kit will work also depends on what you need out of it. If you’re new to the hobby and you need the basic equipment, the Basic Brewing Starter Kit has got you covered. On the other hand, if you’re looking to branch out from your standard recipes, then beer ingredient kits can help you try something new.

How Much Does a Beer Brewing Kit Cost?

Beer brewing kit costs vary depending on what that kit contains and the quality of its contents. For example, beginner brewing equipment kits are more expensive than ingredient kits because these starter kits come with long-lasting gear. Ingredient kits are cheaper because they don’t include equipment, and they’re designed to be used up in a single batch.

To get a better understanding of beer brewing kit costs, compare your options:

Homebrew Starter Kits

• Upper Price Point: Electric Brewing Homebrew Starter Kit with the ANVIL Foundry
• Middle Price Price: Deluxe Brewing Starter Kit with Glass Carboys
• Lower Price Point: Basic Brewing Starter Kit

Beer ingredient Kits

• Upper Price Point: Dark Inception Imperial Porter Beer Kit
• Middle Price Price: Magic Dragon West Coast IPA Beer Kit
• Lower Price Point: All Saints Irish Red Ale Beer Kit

As you go up in price, you’ll find more advanced equipment and complex recipes. However, lower price points will often have everything you need to get started.

Is It Cheaper To Make Homemade Beer?

In the long run, it can certainly be cheaper to make your own beer at home instead of purchasing it from a store, restaurant, or bar. If part of your enjoyment in this hobby is figuring out how much money you’re saving, you’re in luck—there’s a formula for that! Here it is:

• Savings = (How much you would’ve spent at a store, restaurant, or bar for beer) – (Cost of ingredients) – (Cost of single-use supplies) – (Allocated cost of reusable supplies) – (Allocated cost of equipment)

You’ll notice that some of your costs are for one-use supplies (like ingredients and bottle caps), while others are for reusable gear and supplies (like cleaning supplies and fermenting containers). For reusable supplies and gear, allocate only a percentage of that item’s total cost for each batch. This will spread out your costs across multiple batches and give you a more accurate idea of your expenses. 

Are Beer Brewing Kits Worth It?

If you value your time and get your money’s worth, then beer brewing kits are worth it! To see why, let’s take a closer look at their benefits:

• Time: Recipe kits help you hit the ground brewing. When you’re starting out, there are a lot of pieces of equipment to gather. With a kit, you get them all packaged together—no need to chase them down! And once your operation is up and running, beer ingredient kits help you restock on exactly what ingredients you need for a specific recipe without wandering up and down aisles.
• Finances: Budget-friendly kits do exist, and you also benefit from investing in high-quality equipment and supplies. Once you get set up, you can start making beer for a cheaper cost than buying it!

The best home brewing system for beer depends on your own preferences and goals. But rest assured—no matter how much you enjoy brewing— there are kits available that can make your process easier and even more enjoyable.

How Long Does a Beer-Making Kit Last?

The ingredients in beer-making kits tend to last 12 to 18 months on the shelf when stored properly. To help get the maximum shelf life out of your ingredients, be sure to:

• Lock out air and moisture
• Store in a cool, dry place
• Clearly mark packages

But what happens when you grab a kit off the shelf that’s past its expiration date? Can you still brew with it? Will anything bad happen?

In most cases, brewing beer with expired ingredients won’t have any catastrophic effects. You’ll likely wind up with a subpar brew, though, with a less desirable taste, aroma, and color than you’re aiming for. That being said, stale beer will rarely cause anything worse than a poor drinking experience and possibly a stomach ache.

What Is the Easiest Beer To Brew at Home?

The best beer-making kits for beginners help you master the basics of brewing in an enjoyable way. Homebrew starter kits set you up with the essentials all at once, so you don’t have to wait until you assemble your home brewery one piece of equipment at a time. Beer ingredient kits keep that momentum going with pre-portioned ingredients combined with exciting recipes. You also get step-by-step instructions, so you never miss a beat. Take a look at how easy it can be to brew a batch of Squash Gourdon Imperial Pumpkin Ale! 

What Is the Best Home Beer Kit for Brewing Beer?

There is no one-size-fits-all kit for homebrewers. Instead, the best home brewing kit for you—or the best beer-making kit gift for the homebrewer you know and love—depends on your current experience level and goals.

For example, the best home beer brewing kit for beginners will be easy to set up and use without years of experience in the hobby. These kits will provide the basics, leaving out the extra bells and whistles for higher price points. Beginners can get started with the following kits:

• Basic Brewing Starter Kit
• Mosaic Medley Pale Ale Beer Kit
• Scots Pale Ale Beer Kit

For more advanced brewers, check out these premium home brew kit options:

• Electric Brewing Homebrew Starter Kit with the ANVIL Foundry
• Honey Lager Beer Kit
• Limerick Dry Stout Beer Kit

Exploring your options is part of the fun! If you need help, our team of experts is just a phone call away.

Make Your Own Beer with a Great Fermentations Recipe Kit!

Ready to jump into home brewing? Good—because we’re ready to help you get started! At Great Fermentations, you can find a wide selection of homebrew starter kits and beer ingredients in both our brick-and-mortar location and online shop. Come on by, take a look, and let us know if we can help you find the perfect beer-making kit!