Starting your homebrewing journey can feel overwhelming with all the equipment options available. After testing dozens of setups and brewing over 100 batches, we’ve narrowed down the essential equipment every beginner needs to brew great beer at home.
Complete Starter Kits (Best Value)
1. Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Starter Kit – Best Overall
Price: $100-130 | Batch Size: 5 gallons
The Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy kit is our top recommendation for beginners. It includes everything you need for your first batch: fermenters, airlock, thermometer, sanitizer, and a complete recipe kit for Hank’s Hefeweizen.
What’s Included:
- 6.5 gallon fermenting bucket with lid
- Siphonless fermenter (makes bottling easier)
- Airlock and stopper
- Thermometer
- Sanitizer
- Complete ingredient kit with instructions
Pros: Foolproof instructions, quality components, great value
Cons: Doesn’t include brew kettle (you’ll need an 8+ quart pot)
2. Northern Brewer Essential Starter Kit – Best Budget Option
Price: $80-100 | Batch Size: 5 gallons
A more affordable option that still includes all the essentials. The siphonless fermenter design makes this kit particularly beginner-friendly – no need to deal with complicated siphon tubes.
3. Northern Brewer Deluxe Kit – Best for Serious Beginners
Price: $150-180 | Batch Size: 5 gallons
Includes premium glass carboys for two-stage fermentation, resulting in clearer beer. Worth the upgrade if you’re committed to the hobby.
Individual Equipment (Build Your Own Setup)
Brew Kettles
Bayou Classic 10-Gallon Stainless Brew Kettle
Price: $90-120
Heavy-duty stainless steel construction, perfect for 5-gallon batches with room for boil-over. The 10-gallon size is the sweet spot for homebrewing.
Why we recommend it: Heats evenly, durable, fits on standard stovetops, leaves room for vigorous boils.
Fermenters
Fermonster 6 Gallon Carboy
Price: $35-45
Plastic carboy that’s lighter and safer than glass, with a wide mouth for easy cleaning. Perfect for both primary and secondary fermentation.
Measuring Tools
Brewing Hydrometer with Test Jar
Price: $12-18
Essential for measuring original and final gravity to calculate ABV. Comes with protective case and test jar.
Bottling Equipment
Red Baron Bench Capper
Price: $25-35
Solid bench-style capper that makes bottling day much easier. Works with standard bottle caps.
Fermtech Auto-Siphon
Price: $12-18
Self-priming siphon eliminates the need to suck on tubes. Sanitary and reliable for transferring beer.
Cooling Equipment
NY Brew Supply Wort Chiller
Price: $55-75
Immersion chiller that cools 5 gallons from boiling to pitching temperature in 15-20 minutes. Not essential for your first batch, but a huge time-saver.
What You DON’T Need as a Beginner
- Conical Fermenter: Wait until you’ve brewed 10+ batches
- Kegging System: Bottling works fine initially, adds $300+ to startup costs
- pH Meter: Not necessary for extract brewing
- Refractometer: Hydrometer is sufficient for beginners
Recommended Starter Setup (Budget: $150-200)
If you’re buying individual pieces instead of a kit:
- Brew Kettle: 8+ quart stainless pot ($40-60) or Bayou Classic ($90-120)
- Fermenter: 6-gallon bucket or carboy ($25-45)
- Airlock & Stopper: ($5-10)
- Hydrometer: ($12-18)
- Auto-Siphon: ($12-18)
- Bottle Capper: ($25-35)
- Sanitizer: Star San ($12-15)
- Thermometer: ($8-12)
Total: $139-$333 depending on kettle choice
Recommended Starter Setup (Budget: $100-130)
Best Value: Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Kit + an 8-quart pot you already own
This gives you everything except the brew kettle, which you can use from your kitchen temporarily. Once you’re hooked, upgrade to a dedicated 10-gallon kettle.
Tips for Buying Used Equipment
- Safe to buy used: Kettles, carboys (inspect for cracks), cappers
- Always buy new: Plastic tubing, airlocks, sanitizer, ingredient kits
- Check Facebook Marketplace: Brewers often sell complete setups for $50-100
Next Steps After Your First Batch
Once you’ve brewed 2-3 batches successfully, consider upgrading:
- Wort Chiller: Saves 30+ minutes per brew day
- Better Thermometer: Digital instant-read for accuracy
- Second Fermenter: Brew more frequently
- Grain Mill: If moving to all-grain brewing
FAQs
How much does it cost to start homebrewing?
Expect to spend $100-200 for a complete starter setup. Complete kits like the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy kit ($100-130) offer the best value for beginners.
Is plastic or glass better for fermenters?
For beginners, plastic is safer (won’t shatter), lighter, and easier to clean. Glass looks nicer and doesn’t scratch, but breakage risk isn’t worth it for most homebrewers.
Do I need a wort chiller for my first batch?
No – you can cool your wort in an ice bath for your first few batches. A chiller is a nice upgrade once you’re committed to the hobby.
Can I brew beer without buying any equipment?
Not really. At minimum you need: a large pot, fermenter, airlock, and bottles. The $100-130 starter kits are worth it for convenience and reliability.
Final Recommendation
For most beginners, we recommend the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Starter Kit. It includes quality equipment, foolproof instructions, and everything except a brew kettle (which you can use from your kitchen initially).
At $100-130, it’s the best value and will serve you well for your first 20+ batches. Once you’re hooked on the hobby, you can always upgrade individual pieces.
Ready to start brewing? Check out our beginner beer recipes to pair with your new equipment!