10 Best Home Brew Kits 2026 in the United States

The Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy HomeBrewing Starter Set is a solid choice for beginners who want to brew their own beer at home. It focuses on making a 5-gallon batch of Chinook IPA, a popular style with a noticeable hop flavor but moderate alcohol content. This batch size is great for someone wanting to share their beer without requiring excessive storage space.

The kit comes with key equipment including a large stainless steel brew kettle, fermentor with spigot, and handy tools like a hydrometer and thermometer for monitoring the brew as it progresses, which is helpful for learning. Ingredients are included with the Chinook IPA recipe, providing a straightforward path to making quality beer without needing to source extra supplies. The instructions are clear and accessible, well suited for first-timers seeking guidance.

With positive customer feedback and strong support, this kit reduces much of the guesswork involved in brewing. While the equipment is adequate for beginners, it is fairly basic and might not satisfy those looking for more advanced or larger-scale setups. The kit is focused on a single beer style, so users seeking more variety will want to explore additional recipes. This starter set offers a good balance of quality equipment, clear instructions, and manageable batch size, making it well-suited for hobbyists just starting out in homebrewing.

The Craft A Brew Hard Cider Kit is a great choice for anyone interested in making their own cider at home, especially beginners. It focuses on hard cider, offering a 1-gallon batch size that's manageable for hobbyists without being overwhelming. The kit includes all the necessary equipment and supplies except the apple juice, which you provide yourself, giving you some flexibility in taste. The equipment quality is solid and thoughtfully designed, handmade in Orlando with attention to detail and sustainability.

The included guide is a helpful feature, offering clear instructions and recipe variations, making it easier for first-timers to get started and experiment. Fermentation time is typical for cider, allowing you to enjoy your homemade brew in a reasonable timeframe. On the downside, since you need to supply your own juice, the final flavor can vary depending on what you buy, which might be a little intimidating if you want consistent results. Also, the 1-gallon batch size is perfect for sampling but might be small if you want to make larger quantities at once.

Still, this kit offers a user-friendly approach and quality components, making it a solid starter kit for cider enthusiasts looking to dive into home brewing.

The Northern Brewer Essential Brew. Share. Enjoy. Starter Kit is designed for anyone new to homebrewing who wants to make five gallons of beer, which is enough to fill about 50 bottles. It includes all the necessary equipment, such as a fermentor with a spigot, bottling bucket, siphon tubing, bottle capper, and cleaning supplies, so you don’t have to buy anything extra to get started. The kit comes with a Block Party Amber Ale recipe that offers a nice balance of toasty bread, caramel flavors, and a touch of floral hops, making the beer approachable and enjoyable for a wide range of tastes. The instructions are straightforward and beginner-friendly, which helps those who aren’t familiar with brewing steps to feel confident. The fermentation process typically takes a few weeks, which is standard for homebrewing at this scale.

On the downside, while the equipment quality is good for beginners, it’s mostly plastic or basic stainless steel, so it might not last as long or perform as well as higher-end kits for more experienced brewers. Also, the batch size of 5 gallons is fixed, so it may not suit those looking for smaller or larger batches. This kit is ideal for beginners who want a simple, complete set to start brewing a flavorful amber ale at home without hassle.