What Comes in a Home Brew Starter Kit, and What Else Do You Need?
Quick answer: A beer starter kit usually includes a 25-litre fermenter with a tap, an airlock, a hydrometer, a thermometer, a mixing spoon, a cleaner/sanitiser and often a beer kit and brewing sugar. Most don't include bottles, crown caps, a capper or a pressure barrel, so check the contents list. Wine starter kits follow the same idea, with demijohns for 6-bottle batches or a fermenter for 30.
A starter kit is the easiest way to begin, because everything in it is sized to work together. Contents vary from kit to kit, though, and the most common surprise is finding there's nothing to bottle into. Here's what to expect.
What's in a typical beer starter kit?
Taking our Geordie Beer Making Starter Kit as an example, you get:
- A Geordie 40 pint beer kit of your choice (yeast included)
- 25-litre fermenting bucket with lid and tap
- Bubbler airlock
- Hydrometer and trial jar, to check when fermentation has finished
- Long stirring spoon
- Bottling wand that fits the tap
- 500g no-rinse cleaner and sanitiser
- 1kg Brewco brewing sugar
Bottles, kegs or pressure barrels aren't included, because brewers like to choose their own. If you'd like everything in one box, the Simply Starter Kit with 48 PET bottles includes screw-cap bottles, so you won't need a capper.
Comparing starter kits
| Kit | What it's for | Ingredients included? |
|---|---|---|
| Geordie Beer Making Starter Kit | Beer, 40 pints (23 litres) | Yes, a Geordie kit of your choice plus brewing sugar |
| Coopers Beer Making Starter Kit | Beer, 40 pints (23 litres) | Yes, a Coopers 1.7kg kit of your choice plus brewing sugar |
| Simply Starter Kit with 48 PET Bottles | Beer, 23 litres, bottles included | Yes, a Simply beer kit of your choice |
| Mangrove Jack's Craft Series Cider Starter Kit | Cider, about 40 pints (23 litres) | Yes, a Mangrove Jack's cider kit of your choice |
| Beaverdale 30 Bottle Wine Making Starter Kit | Wine, 30 bottles (23 litres) | Yes, a Beaverdale wine kit of your choice |
| Beaverdale 6 Bottle Wine Making Starter Kit | Wine, 6 bottles (4.5 litres), with two 5-litre fermenters | Yes, a Beaverdale 6 bottle kit of your choice |
| WineBuddy 6 Bottle Starter Kit | Wine, 4.5 litres in about 7 days | Yes |
| 6 Bottle Wine Starter Kit | Wine: 2 demijohns, bungs, airlock, syphon, hydrometer, trial jar, cleaner/steriliser | No, equipment only |
See all our home brew starter kits for the other beer, cider and wine brands.
What else will I need?
For beer
- Bottles or a pressure barrel. A 23-litre batch fills up to 46 bottles of 500ml, so have about 48 ready. Glass needs crown caps and a capper. PET bottles use screw caps.
- Priming sugar or carbonation drops. These give the beer its fizz. With drops, it's one per 500ml bottle.
- A no-rinse sanitiser such as ChemSan. It's handy on bottling day, even if your kit includes a cleaner.
- A syphon, if your fermenter doesn't have a bottling attachment.
For wine
- A wine kit, if your starter kit is equipment only.
- Wine bottles and corks: 6 for a 6-bottle kit, about 30 for a 30-bottle kit.
- Sugar, if the kit asks for it. Some 30-bottle kits need 3 to 4kg added, so check the kit page.
Things that make a difference
- Somewhere with a steady temperature. A heat belt or pad helps in a cold house.
- Using the hydrometer. It's the only reliable way to know when it's safe to bottle.
- Time. Beer improves with conditioning in the bottle, so don't rush the first one.
For a full walkthrough of your first brew, read How to Use a Home Brew Beer Kit.
Frequently asked questions
Do home brew starter kits come with bottles?
Usually not. Most beer starter kits leave bottles, kegs or pressure barrels to you. Some bundles, like the Simply Starter Kit with 48 PET bottles, include them.
What's the best starter kit for a complete beginner?
Choose a kit that includes the ingredients as well as the equipment, such as the Simply Starter Kit or a BrewBuddy Starter Kit for beer, or a WineBuddy 6 Bottle Starter Kit for wine. Then you can brew as soon as it arrives.
Do I need a hydrometer?
Yes. Kit timings are only a guide. Two matching hydrometer readings are the reliable way to know fermentation has finished and it's safe to bottle. See our hydrometer guide.
Can I use a beer starter kit to make wine?
Equipment-only kits such as the Handcraft Fermentation Equipment Kit are designed for beer, wine or cider. Wine kits can need a different fermenter size, so check the kit's volume.
How many bottles do I need for my first beer?
A 23-litre kit fills up to 46 bottles of 500ml. Have about 48 ready. See our guide to how many bottles a kit makes.