Are basic "Home Brewing Kits" more trouble than they're worth?

[TheOsprey]

A few years ago, my parents 'won' a free photoshoot in a raffle. WORTH over £100! They were delighted, and we all went down to get some photos taken. It was an awkward and stuffy shoot, and then they showed the photo packages. "You can have one photo for free, and then these are the packages."

My parents ended up spending about £800 on photos.

I feel like 'Home Brewing Kits' sold as a package are a similar deal. "Contains everything you need to brew at home!"

Well, except it's only one can, so you'll need brewing sugar, we didn't include that.

Oh, also, you probably need some form of thermometer, unless you brew somewhere that's guaranteed to be in a 5 degree range at all times.

Oh, sorry, yeah, you'll probably need bottles or a pressure barrel. I mean, you could drink it from the... no? Ok.

Oh yeah, also you're probably going to need to add something to help you to bottle it, as the siphon is a bit useless on its own.

Oh, and by the way, the cleaner we gave you is a bit toxic, and you'll need to properly clean it all out afterwards. With sanitiser. Uh, you can buy that online.

But apart from those things, this is EVERYTHING you need to brew at home!

I'm starting to wonder whether you need to be an experienced home brewer to be able to choose a beginner's home brew kit.

 

[An Ankoù]

I see your point, but in fairness, once you've bought/nicked/borrowed all the ancillary stuff, you don't need to do it again. Except for more bottles (research beers), some caps, more sugar, a new laptop to design your labels, Inkbird temperature controller, knackered fridge from next door's skip, fully insulated out-building with mains services, forklift truck for stacking the pallets of crated of beer, etc, etc. But you get my drift.

 

[Slid]

I thought the Coopers starter pack was OK for the cost. The fermenter tap design was too easy to knock out and I had to ditch it, though. Like Ankou says, you start to "save money". LOL

 

[terrym]

You can buy start up packages, of which I am sure you are aware.
Otherwise I think only an ***** would buy a kit can of malt extract and from it expect to produce beer without requiring something to put it in to make it up to 23litres/40pints of liquid and then something in which to put the beer once its fermented. The other stuff like a siphon tube might be a bit challenging though. And assuming the ***** could read instructions are usually reasonably clear on what to do and how to do it, and if any extras are needed.

 

[TheOsprey]

I'm going to assume you're not directly referring to me as the *****.

Brew Buddy Lager 40 Pints Home Brew Starter Kit:Amazon.co.uk:Kitchen & Home - This is the kit I got. It came with a FV, a siphon, a can and yeast, a hydrometer, and unspecified "steriliser and cleaner", which to a novice (or *****) like me, felt like everything I'd need apart from bottles, which were asterisked into the 'contains equipment' headline.

 

[An Ankoù]

I'm going to assume you're not directly referring to me as the *****.

Brew Buddy Lager 40 Pints Home Brew Starter Kit:Amazon.co.uk:Kitchen & Home - This is the kit I got. It came with a FV, a siphon, a can and yeast, a hydrometer, and unspecified "steriliser and cleaner", which to a novice (or *****) like me, felt like everything I'd need apart from bottles, which were asterisked into the 'contains equipment' headline.

Impressed by your avatar, by the way, Schlenkerla Marzen is the only beer I buy regularly (apart from the occasional treat form La Choulette and Duvel Triple- Citra for Thw Wise One) 4 party kegs for a single delivery charge from the brewery. A massive advantage is that hardly anyone else I know likes it, so I get to enjoy the whole keg myself. Another advantage is that the kegs are reusable.

 

[terrym]

I'm going to assume you're not directly referring to me as the *****.

Correct assumption.

 

[Gerryjo]

I'm going to assume you're not directly referring to me as the *****.

Brew Buddy Lager 40 Pints Home Brew Starter Kit:Amazon.co.uk:Kitchen & Home - This is the kit I got. It came with a FV, a siphon, a can and yeast, a hydrometer, and unspecified "steriliser and cleaner", which to a novice (or *****) like me, felt like everything I'd need apart from bottles, which were asterisked into the 'contains equipment' headline.

In the description it does state what else you will need for the kit, and in those coy words of "A complete set of instructions and equipment" which catches most people out as can be read below.

• Home Brewing Kit Makes 40 pints of delicious pub style lager
• Simple to use; kit contains complete set of instructions and equipment
• Brews in approximtely 21 days. Just add water and sugar
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
• Alcohol content: 4.5% a.b.v.

Description
Here is the PERFECT gift, for the beer lover and a fantastic addition to your home bar! Instead of paying loadsamoney for a pint at the boozer, you can now brew your own with this fantastic Brew Buddy Beer Starter Kit. And not a penny will go to the Exchequer either! Gone are the home brew days when the only option was to make a batch of musty wine in the airing cupboard, now beer fans can get in on the action too. Best of all, there's no need to wait months for your first batch but just 21 days for it to be ready. The brewer’s kit makes up to 40 pints and contains all the equipment and ingredients that you need. And it’s simple and easy to make with easy to follow instructions. All you will need to provide is 1kg of sugar, water and either a 5 gallon pressure barrel or 40 one pint beer bottles to siphon the beer into. In three weeks you will have delicious pub style beer to serve family friends at any occasion. Plus it’s suitable for Vegetraians and Vegans. Has an alcohol content of 4.5% A.B.V

 

[TheOsprey]

Impressed by your avatar, by the way, Schlenkerla Marzen is the only beer I buy regularly (apart from the occasional treat form La Choulette and Duvel Triple- Citra for Thw Wise One) 4 party kegs for a single delivery charge from the brewery. A massive advantage is that hardly anyone else I know likes it, so I get to enjoy the whole keg myself. Another advantage is that the kegs are reusable.

Thanks - It's the only beer I regularly buy too. And it's available at my local, which is where I found it. My dream is to be able to brew an imitation!

 

[Gerryjo]

If your looking for decent kits your best to check out a reputable HB store as they will give a no nonsense definition but unless your not aware sellers get away with misleading customers on shopping websites.
Beer/ Cider Starter Equipment - The Homebrew Company

 

[gingerneil]

You forgot the actual FV from the list! Good luck brewing in the sink!
Those photo deals are a con. We 'won' one too - went along, had some fun at the shoot, looked at the photos and then laughed whilst walking away!