I'm interested in homebrewing beer. What's the best starter equipment kit?

Diving into homebrewing is an awesome project. The "best" starter kit depends entirely on whether you want to test the waters with small countertop batches or jump right into standard 5-gallon batches.

The top-rated starter kits on the market are structured by category:

• Northern Brewer "Brew. Share. Enjoy." Starter Kit (Best Overall / 5-Gallon)
  • Price: ~$120
  • Why it’s great: This is the gold standard for beginners who want to make standard batches (about 48 bottles per batch). It includes a reliable fermenter, bottling gear, auto-siphon, cleanser, and your first full ingredient recipe kit . It gives you the authentic full-scale experience without overwhelming you.
• Northern Brewer 1-Gallon Small Batch Starter Kit (Best for Small Spaces)
  • Price: ~$85–$100
  • Why it’s great: If you aren't sure you want to commit garage space to a 5-gallon operation, the 1-gallon kit lets you brew right on your kitchen stovetop, yielding about 10–12 bottles per batch . It comes with a siphonless "Little Big Mouth Bubbler" fermenter which makes transferring and cleaning exceptionally easy for beginners.
• Craft A Brew 1-Gallon Starter Kit (Best Budget / Minimalist)
  • Price: ~$50
  • Why it’s great: A streamlined, highly affordable entry point that strips away extra clutter and provides just the essential glass jug fermenter, racking cane, tubing, airlock, and ingredients for a specific style (like an Oktoberfest or Pale Ale).

Watch the overview below to see what a 1-gallon setup looks like from unboxing to bottling:

Watch this detailed unboxing and walkthrough to see how a 1-gallon craft beer kit works from start to finish:

17:00 Craft Beer Making Kit | Unboxing and Full Demo 18K views  · 2 years ago YouTube · NorthernBrewerTV

To help narrow down the right choice, tell me:

• Do you have room for a 5-gallon setup , or would you prefer a 1-gallon kitchen stovetop kit?
• Are you looking for an all-in-one package with bottles included, or do you want to keep initial costs under a specific budget?

If you’re serious about trying homebrewing rather than just making a novelty batch, I’d start with a 5-gallon extract-brewing kit. It’s enough beer to make the hobby worthwhile, without buying advanced all-grain equipment.

🏆 Best overall: Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. Starter Kit

• Northern Brewer Essential Beer Making Kit - $49.99 (SCHEELS)

My pick would actually be the full Brew. Share. Enjoy. Starter Kit from northernbrewer.com, currently listed at about $150. It includes:

• 5-gallon stainless brew kettle
• 6.5-gallon fermenter and airlock
• Bottling bucket and bottle filler
• Hydrometer, test jar, and thermometer
• Spoon, tubing, bottle capper and caps
• Cleaner/sanitizer
• Your first beer recipe kit
• Step-by-step instructions and an introductory brewing course

That's a particularly good first setup because you won't immediately discover that you need another $50–$100 of miscellaneous equipment.

If you want to spend less

For a small, low-commitment experiment, a 1-gallon kit is a great choice. Northern Brewer's siphonless version is $79.99 and includes the fermenter, capper/caps, and first recipe; you'll need roughly a 2-gallon kettle and about 12 bottles.

• Craft a Brew Bone Dry Irish Stout Beer Making Kit - $49.99 (Craft a Brew)

A 1-gallon batch produces roughly 10 beers, whereas a 5-gallon batch produces around 50, so I'd choose 1 gallon primarily if space is limited or you're unsure whether you'll stick with brewing.

What I'd avoid initially

I wouldn't spend $500–$900 on an elaborate stainless-steel system. Those are great after you know you enjoy brewing, but temperature-controlled fermentation, all-grain brewing, conical fermenters, etc. are upgrades rather than necessities for your first batch. Northern Brewer's current top-end system, for example, is designed around an 8-gallon kettle, burner, wort chiller, and stainless conical fermenter.

Bottom line: I'd buy the 5-gallon Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. kit, start with an amber ale or hefeweizen, and brew a couple of extract batches before deciding whether to move into all-grain brewing.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. $75, $150, or $300) and whether you have a stovetop, garage, or outdoor space, I can narrow it down to the best setup for you.

Welcome to the rabbit hole of homebrewing! For most beginners, the "best" starter kit depends on whether you want to test the waters with a small kitchen-friendly batch (1 gallon) or jump right into standard-sized batches (5 gallons, roughly 50 bottles).

Top-rated starter equipment kits cater to different styles and spaces:

• Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy (5-Gallon)Go to product viewer dialog for this item. : Widely considered the gold standard for traditional beginners. It includes a 6-gallon fermenter with a spigot, a bottling bucket, auto-siphon, bottle filler, capper, caps, and cleanser. (Note: Make sure to get a kit or bundle that includes a large 5-gallon stainless steel kettle if you don't already have a stockpot big enough). You can look at options on the Northern Brewer Starter Kits Collection.
• Deluxe/Upgraded 5-Gallon Kits (like the Fermonster Go to product viewer dialog for this item./Stainless Bundles Go to product viewer dialog for this item.) : If you want to bypass cheap plastic bucket fermenters, look for kits featuring a wide-mouth plastic carboy (like a Fermonster Go to product viewer dialog for this item.) and a real stainless steel brew spoon and kettle . Wide-mouth carboys make cleaning out sticky hop residue a million times easier than traditional narrow-neck carboys.
• 1-Gallon Craft Beer Making Kits (Northern Brewer or Brooklyn Brew Shop) : Perfect if you have limited apartment storage or want to spend under $80 to see if you even like the process. They use smaller equipment and let you brew right on your standard kitchen stove using standard pots.

Essential Pro-Tip for Beginners

Most basic starter kits come with a generic no-rinse cleanser, but veteran brewers heavily recommend picking up a small bottle of Star San sanitizer separately if your kit doesn't explicitly include it. Sanitation is the single most important rule of homebrewing; keeping your gear infection-free ensures your beer tastes like beer instead of vinegar.

To help narrow down the ideal setup, let me know:

• Do you want to brew 1-gallon batches (small footprint, stovetop) or 5-gallon batches (more beer, requires a large kettle)?
• Do you have a budget in mind?

If you're serious about getting into homebrewing, I'd start with a 5-gallon extract-brewing kit rather than a tiny 1-gallon kit or an expensive all-grain system. Five gallons makes roughly 48–50 bottles per batch, and extract brewing lets you learn fermentation, sanitation, and bottling without adding the complexity of mashing grain.

🏆 Best overall: Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy

This is the one I'd recommend for most beginners. It includes:

• 5-gallon stainless-steel brew kettle
• 6.5-gallon fermenter with airlock
• Bottling bucket and bottle filler
• Hydrometer and thermometer
• Siphoning/transfer equipment
• Cleaner/sanitizer
• Bottle capper and caps
• Brewing spoon
• Your first 5-gallon recipe kit

So you aren't immediately discovering that you forgot some obscure piece of equipment.

🥈 Best alternative: MoreBeer Deluxe

At around $160, it's an excellent traditional starter kit. It has a 5-gallon stainless kettle, 6-gallon Fermonster fermenter with spigot, hydrometer, thermometer, bottling equipment, sanitizer, and a recipe kit.

The Fermonster's built-in spigot is particularly convenient because it makes transferring and bottling easier.

💰 If you want the easiest possible introduction

MoreBeer's Flash Brewing kit is currently $79.99 for 2 gallons or $114.99 for 5 gallons. It eliminates the traditional boil entirely: you mix the ingredients, ferment, and bottle. MoreBeer says the brew-day process takes about 10 minutes.

I'd choose this if your priority is "I want to make beer with as little hassle as possible." I'd choose Northern Brewer if your goal is "I want to actually learn homebrewing."

What I'd buy

For a first-timer, my sweet spot would be:

Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy + an extract recipe you actually like + ~48 pry-off beer bottles.

Don't spend $500+ on fancy stainless equipment yet. Once you've made 3–5 batches, you'll know whether you want to invest in all-grain brewing, kegging, temperature-controlled fermentation, etc.

One particularly useful upgrade later is an immersion wort chiller; the premium MoreBeer kit includes one, along with a larger 8.5-gallon kettle for full-boil brewing.

• Northern Brewer Nut Brown Ale Extract Kit - $34.99 (Northern Brewer)
• Northern Brewer Dry Irish Stout Extract Kit - $39.99 (Northern Brewer)
• MoreBeer Nut Brown Ale Extract Kit - $47.99 (MoreBeer!)

If you tell me your budget (e.g. $100, $150, $250) and whether you have a large kitchen pot/stove, I can narrow it down to the exact kit I'd buy.

If you want a visual breakdown of a popular small-batch setup before deciding, watch this unboxing and demonstration:

13m Craft Beer Making Kit | Unboxing and Full Demo 18K views  · 2 years ago YouTube · NorthernBrewerTV

When diving into homebrewing, the "best" starter kit depends entirely on whether you want to test the waters with a small kitchen-friendly batch (1 gallon) or jump right into standard-sized batches (5 gallons). Most top-tier beginner equipment kits use extract brewing (with specialty steeping grains), which simplifies the process so you can focus on sanitation and fermentation.

The top-rated starter equipment kits break down by category as follows:

• 1. Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. Homebrew Starter Kit (Best Overall 5-Gallon Kit) — Widely considered the gold standard for beginners. It comes with everything needed to produce a full 5-gallon batch (about 50 bottles), including a large fermenter with a spigot, a bottling bucket, a stainless steel brew kettle, a bottle capper, and a reliable recipe kit (usually Hank's Hefeweizen).
• 1. MoreBeer! Home Brewing Starter Kit (Best Value & Upgradability) — Built around two food-grade plastic buckets with sediment-block spigots, this kit makes transfers clean and straightforward without needing a messy auto-siphon. MoreBeer! is legendary for clear instructions and quality components that easily transition with you as you advance in the hobby.
• 1. Craft A Brew American Pale Ale Kit (Best 1-Gallon Small-Batch Kit) — If you don't want to dedicate massive stovetop space or store large buckets, 1-gallon kits let you brew right on your kitchen counter using a standard medium pot. Craft A Brew offers excellent, streamlined instructions and siphonless fermenters tailored for absolute novices.
• 1. BrewDemon 2-Gallon Conical Fermenter Kit (Best Alternative Design) — Utilizes a small conical fermenter modeled after professional commercial breweries, making yeast cleanup and trub separation neat and visually satisfying for apartment brewers.

To help narrow down the ideal pick for you, tell me:

• Do you have space for a 5-gallon setup (requires a large stockpot and storing ~50 bottles), or would you prefer a 1-gallon counter-top batch?
• What is your budget?

If you want to get into real homebrewing rather than just a countertop “beer-making” appliance, I’d start with a 5-gallon extract brewing kit.

🏆 My pick: Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. Starter Kit

• Northern Brewer Essential Beer Making Kit - $49.99 (SCHEELS)

The Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. Starter Kit is the setup I’d recommend for most beginners. Its current kit includes a 5-gallon kettle, 6.5-gallon fermenter, airlock, bottling bucket, hydrometer and thermometer, siphon/bottling equipment, sanitizer, capper and caps, plus a first recipe. The company's current listed price for the complete kit is $149.99.

Other good choices

• Cheapest/easiest:

— about $60, makes 2-gallon batches, and is deliberately simplified. Great if you're unsure whether you'll stick with the hobby.

• Small-batch option:

— 1-gallon batches are inexpensive and require little space, but you'll quickly outgrow the setup if you get serious.

• What I'd avoid initially: all-grain systems, stainless conical fermenters, electric brewing controllers, and other expensive upgrades. Start with extract brewing and learn sanitation, fermentation and bottling first.

What matters most

Make sure your starter setup has:

• 5-gallon kettle
• 6–7 gallon fermentation vessel
• Airlock
• Hydrometer
• Thermometer
• Siphon/tubing
• Bottling bucket and bottle filler
• Bottle capper + caps
• Cleaner/sanitizer
• Your first extract recipe

One tip that will save you a lot of frustration: don't skimp on sanitizer. Clean equipment is one of the most important factors in getting a good first batch.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. $75, $150, or $250) and whether you want 5-gallon or small batches, I can narrow it down to the best kit and the few extras worth buying.

If you’re starting from zero, my best overall pick is the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit. It’s currently about $150 and is unusually complete: a 5-gallon stainless kettle, 6.5-gallon fermenter, airlock, bottling equipment, hydrometer/thermometer, sanitizer, capper, caps, and your first beer recipe.

Why I'd choose it

• 5-gallon batches — roughly 2 cases of beer, rather than making only ~10 beers with a 1-gallon kit.
• Nearly everything is included, so you don't have to figure out which pieces of equipment you need individually.
• Extract brewing makes the first batch considerably easier than jumping straight into all-grain brewing.
• It includes testing equipment, which is important for learning how fermentation is progressing.
• Northern Brewer provides detailed instructions and brewing education alongside the equipment.

If you want to spend less

The Essential Brew Share Enjoy kit is about $100 and includes the fermenting, bottling, cleaning, and basic equipment, plus an Amber Ale recipe. The catch is that you provide the brewing kettle (a large kitchen pot can work for the first batch).

If you're not sure you'll stick with the hobby

A 1-gallon kit is a nice low-commitment option. For example, Craft a Brew's 1-gallon kits run around $50 and let you experiment without ending up with 50 bottles of beer.

One upgrade I'd prioritize

Whatever kit you buy, temperature control is more important than buying fancy stainless-steel equipment. Once you've brewed a batch or two, an inexpensive temperature controller + fermentation chamber can make a noticeable difference in consistency.

My recommendation: spend ~$150 on the Northern Brewer 5-gallon kit, start with the included Amber Ale, and don't buy additional gadgets until you've made your first batch. That's the sweet spot between "cheap toy" and "I accidentally spent $900 building a brewery." 😄

Homebrewing is a fantastic and rewarding hobby! For beginners, the best approach is to start with a 1-gallon or 5-gallon extract kit , which includes everything you need (except the kettle and bottles/keg) to brew your very first batch without needing an overly complex setup.

Here are the top-rated starter equipment kits broken down by type and experience level:

Best Overall for Beginners

• Northern Brewer Deluxe Beer Starter Kit : This is a gold standard in the homebrewing community. It uses a 5-gallon setup (standard batch size, about 48 bottles) and includes heavy-duty equipment like a glass carboy or a "Big Mouth Bubbler," an auto-siphon for easy transferring, and reliable ingredients for your first batch.
• MoreBeer! Deluxe Starter Kit : A phenomenal alternative that comes with top-tier components, including a plastic fermentation bucket with a spigot (which makes bottling much easier because you don't need a separate bottling bucket) and a durable stainless steel kettle option.
• Brooklyn Brew Shop Beer Making Kit : If you are tight on space or want a low-commitment test drive, this is the best 1-gallon (about 9-10 bottles) all-grain kit. It fits easily on a standard kitchen stove and teaches you the real brewing process without needing massive pots.

Best Budget-Friendly Options

• Northern Brewer Standard Starter Kit : Strips away some of the luxury extras of the deluxe version (like secondary fermenters or upgraded bottling gear) while keeping the core, high-quality hardware needed to brew a 5-gallon batch successfully.
• Craft A Brew Starter Kit : Another excellent 1-gallon compact kit focused on simplicity and affordability. It comes in a neat box, making it a popular gift choice that doesn't skimp on the actual quality of the finished beer.

What's Typically Included vs. What You Still Need

• Included in most kits : Fermenter (bucket or carboy), airlock, racking cane/auto-siphon, tubing, bottle filler, capper, sanitizing cleanser, and a thermometer.
• Usually NOT included : A large brew kettle (at least 3 to 5 gallons depending on your batch size), empty beer bottles (standard pry-off glass bottles), and standard household items like a large stirring spoon and plenty of water.

If you'd like, let me know:

• Do you want to brew 1-gallon (small batch/apartment friendly) or 5-gallon (standard batch)?
• Are you looking for extract brewing (easier, uses malt extract syrup/powder) or all-grain brewing (more traditional, uses raw grains)?

I can narrow down the exact kit and ingredients for you!

Getting into homebrewing is an awesome, rewarding hobby! For most beginners, the absolute best way to start is with a 5-gallon extract kit (which yields about 50 bottles of beer per batch) or a 1-gallon kit if you are tight on space.

Here are the top-rated starter equipment kits on the market, categorized by value and scale:

Top Starter Equipment Kits

• Northern Brewer Signature Beer Starter Kit : Widely considered the gold standard for beginners. It comes with a 6.5-gallon primary fermenter, bottling bucket, auto-siphon, bottle filler, capping equipment, and a detailed instruction book. (Note: You'll still need a large brew kettle and bottles).
• MoreBeer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit : Exceptionally high quality, featuring a glass carboy (or plastic Better Bottle option) instead of a standard bucket, plus a reliable temperature strip, cleaner, and a stainless steel spoon. Known for upgrading components that other kits cheap out on.
• Brooklyn Brew Shop 1-Gallon Beer Making Kit : Perfect for apartment living or small kitchens. Uses real grain (all-grain brewing scaled down) instead of malt extract, meaning you learn the traditional brewing process on a compact stove-top scale.
• Northern Brewer Small Batch Starter Kit (1-Gallon) : Another fantastic micro-scale option if you want to test out brewing without committing to big equipment or taking up too much storage.

Key Equipment Included in Standard Kits

• Fermentation Vessel : A food-grade plastic bucket or carboy ($30-$50 value alone) with an airlock to let CO₂ escape while keeping out bacteria.
• Siphoning & Bottling Gear : An auto-siphon, tubing, and a bottle filler valve to transfer your finished beer cleanly into bottles without oxidation.
• Sanitizer : Usually a small pack of Star San, which is crucial because clean gear makes good beer (99.9% sanitation is the name of the game!).

You can browse options or order online directly from specialized retailers like Northern Brewer or MoreBeer.

To help narrow down the best choice for you, tell me:

• Do you have space for 5-gallon equipment , or would you prefer a 1-gallon compact kit?
• Do you already own a large stockpot (at least 3 to 5 gallons)?

If you’re brand-new to homebrewing, I’d start with a 5-gallon extract-brewing kit rather than jumping straight into all-grain equipment. It gives you enough beer to make the hobby worthwhile without making the first brew unnecessarily complicated.

🏆 Best overall: Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. Starter Kit

This is the one I'd recommend to most beginners. Current listings put the 5-gallon kit around $150, and it includes a 6.5-gallon fermenter, airlock, bottling bucket, hydrometer, tubing, bottle filler/capper, sanitizer/cleaner, and a beer recipe kit. You'll need to supply bottles.

Deluxe 5 Gallon Homebrewing Kit

$138.99

Brewer's Best Deluxe Beer Home Equipment Kit

$144.48

Mr. Beer Amber Ale Complete Kit

$59.95

Craft a Brew 1-Gallon Irish Stout Kit

$49.99

Other good choices

• Want to spend as little as possible? A 1-gallon kit is a great way to test the hobby. Northern Brewer's current Essential 1-Gallon kit is about $50 and requires only a roughly 2-gallon cooking pot.
• Want maximum simplicity? Mr. Beer makes smaller batches and uses a very beginner-friendly process. It's a good choice if you aren't sure you'll stick with brewing.
• Want to take the hobby seriously? Don't spend $800–$900 on fancy stainless equipment yet. Northern Brewer's high-end system is impressive, but that's better suited to someone who already knows they love brewing.

What I'd buy

For a first-time brewer, I'd budget about $150–$200 total:

1. 5-gallon starter kit
2. A recipe/ingredient kit (included with many starter kits)
3. ~50 beer bottles or reusable bottles
4. Bottle brush
5. A large stockpot if your kit doesn't include a kettle
6. A good brewing thermometer
7. Later, add temperature control—it's one of the best upgrades you can make for consistently good beer.

One particularly important point: don't skimp on cleaning and sanitation. Beginners often focus on the kettle and fermenter, but sanitation has a much bigger impact on whether your beer turns out well.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. $100, $200, $300+) and whether you prefer IPA, lager, stout, wheat beer, etc., I can narrow it down to the exact kit I'd buy.