Home Brew Starter Kits

Home Brew Starter Kits for Beer, Wine & Cider

Start brewing at home with a beginner-friendly home brew starter kit. Choose from beer, wine and cider making kits with equipment for your first batch, or reusable equipment-only packages if you would rather choose the ingredients yourself. We stock small 6-bottle winemaking sets and popular 40-pint beer and cider starter kits. Always check the individual product contents and batch size before ordering.

Which Home Brew Starter Kit Should I Choose?

• Complete beer brewing kits: A straightforward first step if you want ingredients and fermenting equipment together. Our Simply Beer 40 Pint Starter Kit includes a beer kit in your chosen style, brewing sugar and fermentation equipment; bottles or a pressure barrel are required separately.
• Equipment-only homebrew kits: Choose your preferred ingredients separately and reuse the equipment for future batches. Our Beginner Homebrew Equipment Kit is designed for batches of up to 40 pints and does not include beer, wine or cider ingredients, or bottles.
• Wine making starter kits: Explore equipment and ingredient-inclusive options for making a small batch of wine, including six-bottle kits. Browse wine starter kits to compare contents.
• Cider making starter kits: Get started with cider from a concentrate kit, including options with fermentation equipment and ingredients. Compare our cider starter kits or see the 40 Pint Beginner Cider Starter Kit.

If you specifically want to make beer, see our beer starter kits. For the broadest choice of ingredients to use with existing equipment, browse beer kits, wine kits and cider kits.

Home Brew Starter Kit vs Beer Kit: What's the Difference?

A home brew starter kit generally supplies equipment for making a drink at home. Some starter kits also include a beer, wine or cider ingredient kit. A standard beer kit normally provides the brewing ingredients rather than a fermenter and accessories. If you already own the equipment, an ingredient kit may be all you need. If you're new to brewing, check whether your chosen starter kit includes both equipment and ingredients.

What Equipment Do Beginners Need?

Depending on the drink and batch size, a typical starter setup may include a fermenting bucket or demijohn, airlock, hydrometer, syphon, thermometer and cleaner/sanitiser. Some sets add a stirring spoon, bottling attachment or other accessories. Not every kit contains every item, so use each product's 'What's Included' list as your checklist.

You'll also need a suitable way to package the finished drink. Bottles, closures, a capper or a pressure barrel may be sold separately. Browse our bottling equipment and kegging and dispensing supplies when planning your first batch.

How to Start Home Brewing

1. Pick your drink and batch size. Decide whether you want to make beer, wine or cider, and check how much the starter kit produces.
2. Check what's included. Confirm whether ingredients, cleaning products and packaging equipment are supplied.
3. Clean and sanitise. Prepare all equipment that will come into contact with your brew.
4. Prepare and ferment. Follow the ingredient kit instructions and use your hydrometer to check fermentation progress.
5. Package and condition. Transfer into suitable bottles or a barrel when fermentation is complete, then allow the drink to condition as instructed.

Home Brew Starter Kit FAQs

Do home brew starter kits include ingredients?

Some do and some don't. Complete brewing kits may include ingredients and fermentation equipment; equipment-only starter kits let you choose an ingredient kit separately. Check the product description before purchasing.

Do I need bottles or a pressure barrel?

Often, yes. Many kits include fermentation equipment but not the bottles or barrel required to package your finished brew. The exact extras depend on the kit.

How much beer can a starter kit make?

Many beer starter kits are designed for batches of around 40 UK pints (approximately 23 litres), but smaller options exist. Check the batch size on the particular product.

Can I use homebrew equipment for both beer and cider?

Many fermenters and accessories can be used for either drink, provided they're suitable for the batch size and are properly cleaned and sanitised between uses. The ingredients and fermentation instructions will differ.

Can I reuse a starter kit?

Yes. Most of the fermentation equipment is reusable. You'll need fresh brewing ingredients for each new batch, and some consumable accessories may need replacing.

How long does home brewing take?

It varies by drink and recipe. Fermentation may take one to several weeks, followed by conditioning or maturation before serving. Follow the instructions supplied with your chosen ingredient kit rather than relying on a fixed number of days.

Helpful Guides for Beginners

New to the hobby? Read our how to brew beer at home guide, beginner's winemaking guide or cider making guide before your first brew.