Starter Kits

Home Brew Starter Kits

A home brew kit is a complete package containing the equipment needed to make beer, wine or cider at home. Unlike ingredient-only beer kits, a home brew starter kit includes fermenting equipment, airlocks, hydrometers and other essential accessories, making it the easiest way for beginners to start brewing.

Home Brew Kit vs Beer Kit – What's the Difference?

These two terms are often confused, but they mean very different things:

If you're just starting out, a home brew starter kit is the right choice. Once you have your equipment, you can then pick up any beer kit, wine kit or cider kit to brew with.

What's Included in a Home Brew Starter Kit?

While contents vary by kit, most home brew starter kits include the following essential items:

Who Should Buy a Home Brew Starter Kit?

A home brew starter kit is ideal for:

• Complete beginners who want everything in one box without the guesswork
• Gift buyers looking for a unique, practical present for a beer, wine or cider lover
• Returning brewers who need to replace or upgrade their existing equipment
• Beer lovers who want to brew their own craft ales, lagers or stouts at home
• Wine enthusiasts interested in making their own red, white or rosé wine
• Cider makers who want to produce crisp, refreshing cider from scratch

How Home Brewing Works – 5 Simple Steps

1. Choose your kit – pick a home brew starter kit and a beer, wine or cider ingredient kit
2. Sanitise your equipment – clean everything thoroughly before you start
3. Mix your ingredients – follow the instructions to prepare your brew
4. Ferment – leave your brew in the fermenter for the recommended time
5. Bottle and enjoy – syphon into bottles, condition, and drink

Choose Your Starter Kit by Drink Type

Beer, Wine and Cider Ingredient Kits

Once you have your equipment, browse our full range of ingredient kits:

• Beer Kits – including IPA, Lager, Pale Ale and Stout & Porter
• Wine Kits – including Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio
• Cider Kits and Cider Making Ingredients

Home Brew Starter Kit FAQs

What is a home brew kit?

A home brew kit is a complete set of equipment needed to ferment and produce beer, wine or cider at home. It typically includes a fermenter, airlock, hydrometer, syphon and sanitiser.

What is included in a home brew starter kit?

Most starter kits include a fermenter, airlock, hydrometer, syphon and sanitiser. Some kits also include a thermometer, bottle capper or other accessories. Contents vary by kit.

Are home brew starter kits suitable for beginners?

Yes. Starter kits are specifically designed for beginners and provide everything needed to start brewing at home without purchasing items separately.

What's the difference between a home brew kit and a beer kit?

A home brew kit contains equipment. A beer kit contains ingredients (malt extract, hops and yeast). You need both to brew beer – the equipment to ferment and the ingredients to brew with.

Can I make lager with a home brew starter kit?

Yes. Once you have your starter kit equipment, simply pair it with a lager beer kit to brew your own lager at home.

How long does home brewing take?

Most beer kits take 1–2 weeks to ferment, followed by a conditioning period in the bottle. Wine kits typically take 4–6 weeks. Times vary depending on the recipe and conditions.

Is home brewing difficult?

No. With a starter kit and a quality ingredient kit, home brewing is straightforward. The key is keeping your equipment clean and following the instructions carefully.

How much beer does a home brew kit make?

Most beer kits produce around 40 pints (approximately 23 litres) per batch, though this varies by kit.

Do I need bottles?

Yes, you will need bottles or a pressure barrel to store your finished brew. Browse our bottling equipment and kegging and dispensing equipment.

Can I brew cider with a home brew starter kit?

Yes. Most home brew starter kits are suitable for making cider as well as beer and wine. Pair your kit with a cider kit to get started.

Can I reuse the equipment?

Yes. Home brew equipment is designed to be reused many times. After each brew, clean and sanitise your equipment thoroughly before the next batch.

What's the best home brew starter kit for beginners?

The best starter kit depends on what you want to brew. Browse our beer starter kits, wine starter kits and cider starter kits to find the right option for you.

Can I make wine with a home brew starter kit?

Yes. Our wine starter kits include the equipment needed to ferment, rack and bottle your own wine at home.

Related Collections

• Beer Starter Kits
• Wine Starter Kits
• Cider Starter Kits
• Beer Kits
• Wine Kits
• Cider Kits
• Brewing Equipment
• Fermentation Vessels
• Bottling Equipment

Helpful Brewing Guides and Calculators

• How to Brew Beer at Home
• How to Make Wine at Home
• How to Make Cider at Home
• Brewing Calculators
• Hydrometer Calculator
• Priming Sugar Calculator