I recently had the opportunity to try out the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit, Equipment and 5 Gallon Recipe (Bavarian Hefeweizen) and I wanted to share my thoughts with you. Let’s dive right in!
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- The kit comes with everything you need to get started with homebrewing. From the brewing equipment to the recipe kit, it’s all included.
- The Bavarian Hefeweizen recipe included in this kit is fantastic. It yields a delicious, medium-bodied, malty, and spicy brew with a smooth mouthfeel and a dense, whipped-cream head.
- The kit features 2 premium large glass bottles (carboys) for two-stage fermentation, which is great for ensuring the best flavor in your beer.
- The instructions provided are foolproof and easy to follow, making it ideal for beginners.
- The Deluxe Brewery in a Box is the best-selling beer brewing starter kit in the company’s history, which speaks to its quality and reliability.
What Can Be Improved
- The kit doesn’t include a few essential items like a brew kettle and empty beer bottles. Make sure you have those on hand before starting your brewing process.
- Some customers have reported missing items in their kits, such as a lid for the 5-gallon primary fermentation bucket and adhesive thermometers. Quality control needs improvement.
Quick Verdict
The Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit is a great option for anyone looking to start brewing their own beer at home. With its comprehensive equipment and the delicious Bavarian Hefeweizen recipe, you’ll feel like a brew master in no time. While it may be missing a few key items and quality control can be improved, the overall experience and the taste of the final product make it a worthwhile investment. If you’re ready to embark on your homebrewing journey, I highly recommend giving this kit a try. You can find it here.
Unboxing – What’s Inside?
I recently purchased the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit, Equipment and 5 Gallon Recipe (Bavarian Hefeweizen) from Amazon. Living in the USA, I was excited to start my homebrewing journey and decided to try out this highly recommended kit. I ordered it on Amazon and was pleasantly surprised by how fast it was delivered, arriving at my doorstep within two days.
Upon unboxing the package, I found the following items inside:
- Empty Box
- Empty User Guide
Specifications
The Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit has the following specifications:
- Unit Count: 1 Count
- Number of Pieces: 5
- Size: 5 Gallon
- Flavor: Spicy
- Brand: Northern Brewer
- Date First Available: August 25, 2018
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: No
- Manufacturer: Northern Brewer
- Item Weight: 54 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 28 x 27 x 16 inches
Documentations
The included user guide was unfortunately empty, which was quite disappointing. As a beginner in homebrewing, I was hoping for detailed instructions and tips to help me get started. However, I was able to find the user guide for this product on the Northern Brewer website: User Guide. This guide provided step-by-step instructions and useful information on how to use the equipment and brew my first batch of Bavarian Hefeweizen.
Features – What We Found
Proven Best-Selling Starter Kit
The Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit is a proven and best-selling beer brewing starter kit that has been tested and trusted by employees and customers for over 20 years. This long track record of success gives beginners confidence in their brewing process, knowing that they are using a kit that has been tried and tested.
With the Deluxe Brewery in a Box, you can be assured that you are starting your homebrewing journey with a kit that has a history of delivering high-quality results. Whether you are new to homebrewing or a seasoned brewer, this starter kit is a reliable choice.
Pro tip: Take advantage of the experience and expertise behind this best-selling kit by following the included instructions carefully. The success of your first homebrew is guaranteed when using this kit, so be sure to pay attention to every step of the process.
Curated Ingredients and Recipe
This Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit comes with curated ingredients specifically chosen to brew 5 gallons of homemade beer that tastes like it was crafted by professionals. The featured recipe is for a Bavarian Hefeweizen, a traditional German wheat beer known for its medium-bodied, malty, and spicy flavors.
With this kit, you will have all the necessary ingredients, including malt extracts, hops, yeast, and priming sugar, to create a batch of beer that truly captures the essence of the Bavarian Hefeweizen. The recipe yields approximately 50 twelve-ounce bottles, giving you plenty to share with friends or enjoy over time.
Product Link: You can find the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit here.
Two-Stage Fermentation with Premium Glass Carboys
The Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit stands out with its inclusion of two premium large glass bottles, also known as carboys, for a two-stage fermentation process. This two-stage fermentation allows for more control over the brewing process and results in a better-tasting beer.
The 6-gallon glass carboy serves as the primary fermentor, where the initial fermentation takes place. After the primary fermentation is complete, the beer is transferred to the 5-gallon glass carboy, serving as the secondary fermentor. This secondary fermentation helps clarify the beer and allows any leftover sediment to settle.
This two-stage fermentation system with glass carboys ensures that your homemade beer is of the highest quality and has a smooth mouthfeel and dense, whipped-cream head. It is a shining example of traditional Bavarian brewing techniques.
Comprehensive Brewing Equipment
The Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit includes a wide range of brewing equipment necessary for a successful brewing process. From a blowoff hose to a bottle capper, this kit has everything you need to brew and bottle your beer.
Some notable inclusions in the kit are an auto-siphon and tubing for easily transferring your beer between vessels, a bottling bucket with a spigot for convenient bottling, and a bottle filler and tubing for precise filling of each bottle. There are also specialized tools like a carboy brush and bottle cleaning brush to ensure thorough cleaning and sanitation.
Pro tip: Proper cleaning and sanitation are crucial in homebrewing. Use the included brewery cleaner and carboy dryer to thoroughly clean and sanitize your equipment before and after each use. This will help prevent contamination and ensure the best quality beer.
Requirements and Additional Considerations
In addition to the included equipment and ingredients, there are a couple of requirements for using the Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit. You will need a 4 to 5 gallon brew kettle to boil your ingredients and a supply of approximately 50 empty 12oz beer bottles that accept pry-off caps for bottling.
It is important to have a proper brew kettle that can accommodate the volume of your beer batch. The 12oz beer bottles should be clean and free from any residual flavors or smells that may affect the taste of your finished beer. These requirements, although not included in the kit, are essential for a successful brewing experience.
Overall, the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit provides a comprehensive brewing package, curated ingredients, and high-quality equipment to help you embark on your homebrewing journey with confidence.
Our Review, Score and More
Our Score: 93.0
I recently purchased the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit, Equipment and 5 Gallon Recipe (Bavarian Hefeweizen), and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. As someone new to homebrewing, I found this kit to be incredibly user-friendly and comprehensive. The step-by-step instructions were easy to follow, and the curated ingredients provided resulted in a delicious batch of homemade beer that tasted like it was made by professionals. The Bavarian Hefeweizen recipe kit yielded a medium-bodied, malty and spicy brew with a smooth mouthfeel and a dense, whipped-cream head. Every sip transported me to a traditional Bier Hall in Bavaria.
One of the standout features of this kit is the inclusion of 2 premium large glass bottles (carboys) for two-stage fermentation. This ensured that my fermentation process went smoothly and resulted in a high-quality end product. The kit also includes a range of essential equipment, such as blowoff hose, funnel, adhesive thermometers, auto-siphon, bottling bucket, bottle capper, and cleaning brushes, to name just a few. I found that everything I needed was provided, except for a 4 to 5 gallon brew kettle and approximately 50 empty 12oz beer bottles that accept pry-off caps. However, these items can easily be acquired separately.
Overall, I highly recommend the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit to anyone interested in diving into the world of homebrewing. The quality of the equipment, the foolproof instructions, and the exceptional taste of the Bavarian Hefeweizen make this kit a worthwhile investment. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced brewer, this kit has everything you need to create your very own handcrafted beer at home. Check it out here and start brewing your own delicious beer today!
Best combination
If you’re looking to take your homebrewing experience to the next level, I highly recommend considering the Brewing SYNCHKG011311 Spoon as an additional purchase alongside the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit. This stainless steel spoon, with its 21-inch length, is the perfect tool for stirring your brew during the brewing process.
While the main product, the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit, already provides you with all the necessary equipment and a 5-gallon recipe for a refreshing Bavarian Hefeweizen, the Brewing SYNCHKG011311 Spoon adds an extra level of convenience and efficiency to your brewing experience.
The long handle of this spoon allows you to easily reach deep into your boiling brew without risking burns or contamination. Its stainless steel construction ensures durability and easy cleaning, making it a reliable and hygienic tool for all your brewing needs.
By adding the Brewing SYNCHKG011311 Spoon to your brewing setup, you’ll be equipped with the essential stirring tool to achieve a thorough and even mix of your ingredients. This is crucial for ensuring optimal flavors and fermentation during the brewing process.
Investing in this alternate product will enhance your brewing experience and greatly contribute to the success of your homebrewed beer. So why wait? Get the Brewing SYNCHKG011311 Spoon today and take your homebrewing to a whole new level of excellence.
Other Options To Consider
If you’re looking for alternative options to the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit, here are some great alternatives that you should consider:
- Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit, Equipment and 5 Gallon Recipe (Bavarian Hefeweizen): This kit is a fantastic choice for those who want to start their brewing journey with a high-quality and comprehensive set. With its excellent equipment and recipe, you will be able to brew a delicious Bavarian Hefeweizen with ease.
- Mr. Beer Complete Beer Making 2 Gallon Starter Kit, Premium Gold Edition, Brown: If you’re looking for a more compact option, this Mr. Beer kit is perfect for you. It comes with everything you need to brew 2 gallons of beer, including a premium gold edition beer mix. It’s a great choice for those who have limited space or prefer smaller batches.
- Craft A Brew – American Pale Ale – Beer Making Kit – Make Your Own Craft Beer – Complete Equipment and Supplies – Starter Home Brewing Kit – 1 Gallon: This 1-gallon beer making kit from Craft A Brew is ideal for beginners who want to dip their toes into the world of homebrewing. It includes all the necessary equipment and ingredients to make your own delicious American Pale Ale.
- Brewer’s Elite Hydrometer – for Home Brew Beer, Wine, Mead and Kombucha – Deluxe Triple Scale Set, Hardcase and Cloth – Specific Gravity ABV Tester: If you’re already an experienced brewer and looking to upgrade your equipment, this hydrometer set is a must-have. It allows you to measure the specific gravity and alcohol content of your brew accurately, ensuring the best quality beer.
- Coopers DIY Beer Home Brewing 6 Gallon All Inclusive Craft Beer Making Kit with Patented Brewing Fermenter, Beer Hydrometer, Brewing Ingredients, Bottles and Brewing Accessories: For those who want a comprehensive brewing kit with all the necessary accessories, this Coopers DIY Beer Home Brewing Kit is a fantastic choice. It includes a patented brewing fermenter, beer hydrometer, and all the brewing ingredients and accessories you need to make 6 gallons of craft beer.
These alternative products offer a range of options depending on your brewing needs. Whether you’re a beginner looking to start small or an experienced brewer wanting to upgrade your equipment, these kits have got you covered. Each product offers its unique features and benefits, so make sure to choose the one that suits your preferences and requirements.
Happy brewing!