Brewing beer is by far the best and most satisfying hobby that I’ve run across. How great is it to spend a few hours brewing beer while drinking a few beers, then a week or two later bottle your brew while drinking a few beers, and then a few weeks later get to taste the beer you created?
When I tell people I brew beer, they always have questions. How much does it cost to start? Wouldn’t it just be cheaper to buy beer already made? Honestly, it can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to be.
If you’re serious and can afford to spend a few hundred to get good equipment, I suggest you go down to your local brew shop and let them help you.
If you are interested in home brewing, but don’t have a lot to spend, or are not sure if you will enjoy it enough to spend a few hundred dollars getting setup, I’d suggest getting a home beer brewing kit.
I’ve had beer made from two kits, and each had completely different results. The first I’ve tried was from Mr. Beer, and honestly it tasted like crap. It could have been the way that batch was made, but I would probably stear clear of it.
Last August I was in New York and tried two beers from a Coopers brewing kit. I was pretty impressed with the quality for how cheap the kit and the ingredients where to get started. I had the IPA and the wheat beer. While not the best beers I’ve ever had, it sure beat the taste of most micro beers out there.
Once you get the kit for $99, you can make 6 gallons of beer for about $20 (includes malts, hops, and yeast), which is a pretty good deal if you are toying around with the idea to get started home brewing. Plus if you realize that you enjoy the brewing process, you will already have some of the key pieces of equipment so it won’t cost to much to upgrade.
Here is a video on their website that shows what is included.
The Coopers kit includes:
- 1 Plastic 30 liter fermenter with lid (and o ring), makes 23 liters (6 Gallons)
- 1 Hydrometer
- 1 Sediment Reducer
- 1 Plastic Spoon
- 1 “Little Bottler” tube and bottling valve
- 1 Tap
- 1 Airlock
- 1 Airlock grommet
- 1 Thermometer
- 30 740ml PET bottles and caps
- 1 Instruction booklet
- 1 Instructional DVD
- 1 Cooper’s Lager Beer Kit Package – which includes:
- 1 1.7kg Coopers Lager Beer Kit Concentrate with yeast
- 1 1 kg Coopers Brewing Sugar
- 1 Bag of Carbonation drops
Comments
“While not the best beers I’ve ever had, it sure beat the taste of most micro beers out there.” Wow that is some pretty high praise for the system, beating out most micro beers.
I have read lackluster reviews of Mr. Beer myself (though I have never tried it or any beers produced by it).
Haha, yeah, not the highest of praise, but $20 for 6 gallons of beer isn’t to be for someone new to home brewing on a budget.
I started brewing beer about 5 years ago, I love it! I would say however, these kind of kits or so limiting that if you do want to continue you will find yourself upgrading or replace pretty much everything from these kind of kits. My suggestion based on my experience is to go to a home brew store either online or in person. They all sell starter kits that are in the same price range. You will learn more if you try it my way. Also no one seems to ever mention or include a brew pot. How are you going to boil 5 or 6 gallons? One of the first lessons I learned. I have found that since I started brewing my tastes have become more refined. Also have a lot more fun with brewing. It really feels great when my friends and family enjoy a batch of my home brew. Just saying.