Most first-time brewers don’t need a garage full of gear. A beer kit gives you a fermenter, the ingredients and instructions, and your stove does the rest. What really separates kits is how much beer they make, how much cooking they ask for, and what you still have to buy, usually bottles.
This guide compares seven beginner beer brewing kits from 5 liters to 5 gallons, and it notes what each listing leaves out. Home brewing is an adult hobby with legal limits, which we cover below.
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Quick verdict: which home brewing kit to buy
If you are serious about learning, the best home brewing kit is the Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. starter set, because it includes a kettle and enough equipment for 5-gallon batches. If you want to see whether you like brewing at all, choose Mr. Beer, which uses hopped malt extract and comes with bottles. If you are short on space but want a real boil and a glass fermenter, try the Northern Brewer Siphonless 1 Gallon kit.
Five beer kits compared
Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of brewer, with what each maker or listing states. All seven are covered in full below.
| Kit | Best for | Batch size | Bottles included? | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning the full process | 5 gallons, about 50 12 oz bottles | Not listed; caps and capper are | View on Amazon | |
Mr. Beer Craft Beer Making Kit, 2 Gallon Golden AleEasiest start
|
Easiest first try | 2-gallon keg | Yes, 11 reusable 25 oz | View on Amazon |
Northern Brewer Siphonless 1 Gallon Starter Kit, American WheatBest small batch
|
Small kitchens, glass fermenter | 1 gallon | No; about 12 needed | View on Amazon |
BrewDemon Signature Pro 2 Gallon Conical KitBest fermenter design
|
No siphon, simple bottling | 2 gallons, 16 pints | Yes, eight 1-liter amber | View on Amazon |
| Gifts and small batches | 1 gallon | Check the listing | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Details are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best home brewing kit
The seven kits below come from six makers. None of the listings gives an allergen statement or a finished alcohol level, so read the pack if you avoid barley, wheat or gluten: all of these kits use malt, and some are wheat beers.
1. Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. 5 Gallon Starter Set – The Full Process, Kettle Included
Northern Brewer is a long-running homebrew supplier, and this is its full beginner set. It includes a 5-gallon stainless brew kettle, a 6.5-gallon fermenter with spigot, lid and airlock, a bottling bucket, a bottle filler, a 21-inch stainless spoon, tubing, cleaner and sanitizer, a bottle brush, a capper and 60 caps.
It also includes a hydrometer, test jar and thermometer, which most small kits leave out. Those let you measure what your beer is doing, and they matter if you want to move past following the steps.
The recipe here is Hank’s Hefeweizen, a wheat beer. Northern Brewer says the kit yields 5 gallons, filling 50 twelve-ounce bottles, and you will need to source those bottles. You will also need room for a 5-gallon boil and somewhere to keep a large fermenter.
Why we like it
- 5-gallon stainless kettle included
- Hydrometer, test jar and thermometer
- Bottling bucket with spigot and filler
- Capper and 60 caps
- Sold by Northern Brewer when we checked
Key specifications
| Batch size | 5 gallons |
|---|---|
| Beer style | Hefeweizen |
| Fermenter | 6.5-gallon with spigot |
| Bottles | Not listed |
| Main ingredients | Recipe kit; wheat beer style |
| Prep | Stovetop boil |
| Ready in | Not stated |
| What else you need | About 50 bottles, stove space |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants to learn proper brewing once and not have to replace their first set of gear soon after.
Skip it if you only want to try brewing once. It takes a lot of equipment and storage for a casual test.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most complete equipment here
- Measuring tools included
- Big batch
Cons
- Takes space
- Bottles not listed
- A longer brew day than extract kits
2. Mr. Beer Craft Beer Making Kit, 2 Gallon Golden Ale – The Simplest Way to Start
Mr. Beer is built around simplicity. The kit includes a 2-gallon brew keg, 11 reusable 25 oz plastic bottles, hopped malt extract and carbonation drops. The listing says no large pots, strainers or extra equipment are needed beyond water and common kitchen items.
Because the extract is already hopped, Mr. Beer says brewing takes less than 30 minutes of your time. It gives 10 to 14 days of fermenting and another 7 to 14 days before drinking, so the whole batch takes about three to four weeks.
The ingredients are designed at Coopers Brewery, according to the listing. You trade control for ease: you won’t learn much about boiling or hops, and refills may vary from what is shown.
Why we like it
- Bottles included
- No large pot needed
- About 30 minutes of work, per the maker
- Ingredients designed by Coopers Brewery, per the listing
- Sold by Amazon when we checked
Key specifications
| Batch size | 2-gallon keg |
|---|---|
| Beer style | Golden Ale |
| Fermenter | 2-gallon brew keg |
| Bottles | 11 reusable 25 oz |
| Main ingredients | Hopped malt extract, carbonation drops |
| Prep | About 30 minutes, per maker |
| Ready in | 3 to 4 weeks |
| What else you need | Water, common kitchen items |
Why we recommend it
It suits a curious beginner or a gift, because everything needed for the first batch is in the box.
Skip it if you want to learn the whole process. There is no boil or real recipe control.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very simple
- Bottles in the box
- No big pot
Cons
- Limited control
- Plastic bottles
- Refills may vary
3. Northern Brewer Siphonless 1 Gallon Starter Kit, American Wheat – Small Batch in Glass
This small kit uses a glass Little Big Mouth Bubbler fermenter that needs no siphon, which removes one of the fiddliest steps for a new brewer. It also includes step-by-step instructions, a bottle capper and caps, personalized labels and the recipe kit.
One gallon is a practical size for an apartment kitchen. You will need a 2-gallon kettle and about 12 pry-off beer bottles, which the listing says you must supply.
The listing calls the recipe American Wheat in the title and American Wheat IPA in the contents. Northern Brewer sells the same kit in other styles, such as Irish Red Ale, if you would rather not start with a wheat beer.
Why we like it
- Glass fermenter with no siphon
- Capper, caps and labels included
- One-gallon size fits a small kitchen
- Listing is clear on what to supply
Key specifications
| Batch size | 1 gallon |
|---|---|
| Beer style | American Wheat |
| Fermenter | Glass Little Big Mouth Bubbler |
| Bottles | Not included; about 12 |
| Main ingredients | Recipe kit; wheat beer style |
| Prep | Stovetop boil |
| Ready in | Not stated |
| What else you need | 2-gallon kettle, about 12 bottles |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone with a small kitchen who still wants a real stovetop brew day.
Skip it if you don’t already own a 2-gallon pot and don’t want to buy one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small and tidy
- Glass fermenter
- No siphon
Cons
- Small yield
- Needs bottles and a kettle
- Glass can break
4. Craft A Brew American Pale Ale 1 Gallon Kit – A Tidy Starter From Orlando
Craft A Brew’s kits come in many beer styles, and this American Pale Ale is described as crisp, hoppy and bitter with light malt flavors. The listing describes a complete starter with equipment and supplies and a Guide to Craft Brewing.
Each kit is assembled by hand in Orlando, Florida, according to the maker. The range is wide enough that you can match the recipe to the person you are buying for, including a Hefeweizen and a light lager, without changing the equipment.
The features on the listing don’t itemize the contents, so check the product images for what is in the box, and in particular whether you need to supply bottles and a pot.
Why we like it
- Assembled by hand in Orlando, per the maker
- Includes a brewing guide
- Many styles in the same format
- Sold by Craft a Brew when we checked
Key specifications
| Batch size | 1 gallon |
|---|---|
| Beer style | American Pale Ale |
| Fermenter | Not itemized |
| Bottles | Check the listing |
| Main ingredients | Recipe kit |
| Prep | Not stated |
| Ready in | Not stated |
| What else you need | Check the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits a gift, or a beginner who cares more about choosing the beer style than about the gear.
Skip it if you want a clear list of contents before you buy, since this listing is light on them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Choice of styles
- Small batch
- Maker based in the US
Cons
- Contents not itemized in the features
- Small yield
- Few technical details
5. BrewDemon Signature Pro 2 Gallon Conical Kit – No Siphon, Sediment Stays Put
BrewDemon’s conical fermenter is the main reason to choose this kit. The maker says the shape traps sediment at the bottom so you need neither an airlock nor a siphon, and a vent plug lets CO2 out. An adjustable spigot makes bottling simple.
The kit makes 16 pints in one batch, double the size of a typical 1-gallon glass kit. It includes eight 1-liter amber bottles, an 18-inch mixing spoon, a priming sugar scoop, a bottle filler and hose, and a bonus airlock. The recipe is its One Evil Pilsner.
The maker says the hot prep takes about 15 minutes on a kitchen stove. It also offers a 120-day replacement guarantee on kits and equipment and a 30-day return policy on unopened products. The listing’s language is colorful, so stick to the specifications.
Why we like it
- Conical fermenter with spigot
- Eight 1-liter bottles included
- 15-minute prep, per the maker
- 120-day replacement guarantee
- Sold by BrewDemon when we checked
Key specifications
| Batch size | 2 gallons, 16 pints |
|---|---|
| Beer style | Pilsner |
| Fermenter | Conical with spigot |
| Bottles | Eight 1-liter amber |
| Main ingredients | Vacuum-sealed recipe pack |
| Prep | About 15 minutes, per maker |
| Ready in | Not stated |
| What else you need | Stovetop pot not listed; check |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who dislikes the idea of siphoning and wants bottles included, with a little more batch than a 1-gallon kit.
Skip it if you want to watch fermentation through glass or plan to scale up to 5-gallon batches.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple bottling
- Bottles included
- Clear guarantee terms
Cons
- Proprietary fermenter shape
- Marketing-heavy listing
- Not a 5-gallon path
6. Coopers DIY Craft Brew Starter Kit – An Australian Brewer’s Starter
Coopers is an Australian brewery, and this starter kit comes from its home brewing arm. The listing describes a 2-gallon fermenter with pre-measured ingredients and step-by-step instructions, making 14 pints of beer.
The fermenter is compact enough for a countertop or pantry shelf, according to the listing, and the maker says you can change the recipe by adding fruit or spices once you know the process.
The listing has some loose ends. Its size field says 5 gallons, while the description says a 2-gallon fermenter and 14 pints, and we go with the description. It doesn’t state a model number or say whether bottles come in the box, so check the images.
Why we like it
- From a working brewery
- 2-gallon fermenter, 14 pints
- Pre-measured ingredients
- Fits a countertop, per the listing
- Sold by Coopers DIY when we checked
Key specifications
| Batch size | 14 pints |
|---|---|
| Beer style | Not stated |
| Fermenter | 2-gallon, per description |
| Bottles | Not stated |
| Main ingredients | Pre-measured ingredients |
| Prep | Not stated |
| Ready in | A few weeks, per listing |
| What else you need | Check the listing for bottles |
Why we recommend it
It suits a first-time brewer who likes the Mr. Beer format and wants to buy directly from the brewery behind its ingredients.
Skip it if a listing with conflicting sizes puts you off. Mr. Beer has clearer contents.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Small footprint
- Brewery-backed recipes
- Simple process
Cons
- Listing size conflict
- Contents not fully itemized
- Beer style not stated
7. George’s Beer Fermentation Kit, 5 Liter Pilsner – Capper Included, No Boil Listed
Sold by North Mountain Supply, this kit makes up to 5 liters (about 1.3 gallons) of Pilsner, or about fifteen 12 oz bottles, in less than a month, according to the listing.
The method is short: add the liquid malt and hops extract, water and yeast packet to the fermenter, then add sugar to each bottle before sealing. It comes with a 5-liter fermenter bucket with faucet, a two-piece airlock, a twin-lever hand capper, crown caps, an adhesive thermometer, a sugar dispenser and an instruction booklet in five languages.
A capper is a real plus at this size, since many small kits expect you to add one. Bottles are not listed in the contents, so plan on saving about fifteen pry-off bottles.
Why we like it
- Twin-lever capper and crown caps included
- Bucket with faucet
- Simple extract method
- Sold by Amazon when we checked
Key specifications
| Batch size | 5 liters |
|---|---|
| Beer style | Pilsner |
| Fermenter | 5-liter bucket with faucet |
| Bottles | Not listed; about 15 12 oz |
| Main ingredients | Liquid malt and hops extract, yeast |
| Prep | Mix, ferment, bottle |
| Ready in | Less than 1 month |
| What else you need | About 15 bottles |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who wants extract simplicity like Mr. Beer but prefers crown-capped bottles.
Skip it if you want bottles in the box, or you want more control over the recipe.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Capper included
- Simple method
- Compact
Cons
- Bottles not included
- Little recipe control
- Small yield
The legal side of brewing at home
Federal law lets adults make beer at home for personal or family use without paying tax. Under 26 U.S.C. 5053(e), a household can produce up to 100 gallons a calendar year with one adult, or 200 gallons with two or more. “Adult” means 18 or the minimum age set by local law, whichever is greater, and the beer can’t be sold.
The TTB also notes that its rules don’t authorize brewing that is contrary to state or local law, so check with your state’s alcohol board. None of the listings we read states an age limit, so follow the maker’s terms and your local rules. Finished beer is alcohol: keep it from minors and drink it responsibly.
How to choose a beginner beer brewing kit
Start with how much beer you actually want, and work back from there.
Batch size
One gallon is about ten 12 oz bottles, and it fits in a small kitchen. Five gallons is about fifty, and it needs a big pot, a big fermenter and a place for all those bottles.
Extract or a stovetop brew day
Hopped extract kits like Mr. Beer and George’s are quick and simple. Recipe kits with a boil, like Northern Brewer’s, take longer but teach you more about how beer is made.
Bottles and bottling
This is the part kits most often leave out. Mr. Beer and BrewDemon include bottles. Others expect you to save pry-off bottles, and those need a capper and caps, so check what is in the box.
Cleaning
Clean equipment and bottles are part of every batch, so check what cleaning supplies a kit includes. The Northern Brewer set includes a cleaner and sanitizer and a bottle brush, and a good bottle brush is worth adding to any kit that lacks one.
What comes next
If you enjoy it, refills keep the hobby going. Check that the maker sells recipe kits for the same fermenter, as Mr. Beer, Craft A Brew and Northern Brewer all do.
How we picked these seven kits
We read each kit’s Amazon listing for contents, batch size and what you need to supply, then searched for independent reviews. The results were mostly affiliate roundups, so we don’t lean on them and these picks rest on the listing and maker details. We searched saferproducts.gov by brand and found no recalls under any of these names. We did not brew these kits for this guide, and we make no claim about how the beer tastes.
Home brewing questions, answered
Is a home brewing kit legal?
Federal law allows adults to make beer for personal or family use within the household limits above. It can’t be sold, and state or local rules can be stricter.
How long until I can drink the beer?
Mr. Beer gives about 3 to 4 weeks, and George’s says less than a month. Other listings give less detail, so check the instructions in your kit.
What is the best beginner beer brewing kit for a small kitchen?
A one-gallon kit such as the Northern Brewer Siphonless, or a no-boil kit like Mr. Beer, which the maker says doesn’t need a large pot.
Do these kits contain gluten?
The listings we read don’t give allergen statements. All of them use malt, and some are wheat beers, so anyone avoiding barley, wheat or gluten should read the pack and ask the maker.
How strong will the beer be?
None of the listings here states a finished alcohol level. A hydrometer, included in the Northern Brewer 5-gallon set, is the usual tool for measuring it at home.
Our pick for a first batch
Start with Mr. Beer if you just want to find out whether you like it, and the Northern Brewer 5-gallon set if you already know you do. Once the beer is ready, see our guide to the best beer glasses, or our best beer growler guide if you want to take some to a friend’s. On days you would rather not cook, call to order from Julia’s and see the drinks menu.