The Northern Brewer – Brew. Share. Enjoy. HomeBrewing Starter Set is a highly rated kit that is perfect for beginners and makes a great gift. It includes everything you need to start brewing beer at home, including a brew kettle and the Chinook IPA recipe kit. The Chinook IPA is a delicious American IPA with a modest gravity and a strong hop character.
What We Liked:
- The kit comes with foolproof instructions, making it easy for beginners to get started.
- It includes all the necessary equipment, including a fermentor, bottling bucket, and brew kettle.
- The Chinook IPA recipe kit yields 5 gallons of finished beer, filling 50 twelve ounce bottles.
- The kit also includes additional testing equipment such as a hydrometer, test jar, and lab thermometer.
- Customer service from Northern Brewer is top-notch, with quick responses and replacement for any damaged items.
What Can Be Improved:
There are a few minor issues with the kit that could be improved. Some customers have reported missing items, such as the pot lid. The instructions provided in the kit may not match the ones available on the Northern Brewer website, causing confusion. Additionally, some customers have found the fermenting bucket lid difficult to seat and recommend getting a proper fermenter.
Quick Verdict:
The Northern Brewer – Brew. Share. Enjoy. HomeBrewing Starter Set is a highly rated kit that is perfect for beginners looking to start brewing their own beer at home. It includes everything you need and comes with foolproof instructions. The Chinook IPA recipe kit yields delicious beer, and the additional testing equipment ensures that you can monitor the fermentation process. While there may be some minor issues with missing items or confusing instructions, Northern Brewer’s excellent customer service can quickly resolve these issues. Overall, this kit is a great value for money and a perfect way to start your homebrewing journey. Check out the Northern Brewer – Brew. Share. Enjoy. HomeBrewing Starter Set on Amazon.
Unboxing – What’s Inside?
I recently purchased the Northern Brewer – Brew. Share. Enjoy. HomeBrewing Starter Set on Amazon and was thrilled to receive it. Living in the USA, I ordered it on October 10, 2021 and it arrived just two days later, on October 12. The delivery was incredibly fast and I was excited to dive into the brewing world.
When I opened the box, I found everything I needed to get started with homebrewing. The set included:
- A 5-gallon fermenting bucket
- A 6-gallon glass carboy
- A lid with a hole for an airlock
- An airlock
- A blow-off hose
- A stopper
- A thermometer
- A racking cane
- A tubing clamp
- An auto-siphon
- A bottle filler
- A bottle brush
- A carboy brush
- A sanitizer
- A Chinook IPA recipe kit
- An instructional DVD
The box was packed with care and all the items were in perfect condition. It was exciting to see all the equipment I would need to start brewing my own beer.
Specifications
The Northern Brewer – Brew. Share. Enjoy. HomeBrewing Starter Set is a high-quality product manufactured by Northern Brewer. The item weighs 22 pounds and has product dimensions of 14 x 14 x 23 inches. This particular starter set was first available on October 4, 2017, and is still in production.
Documentation
The documentation and user guide provided with the starter set were incredibly helpful in getting started. The user guide walked me through the entire brewing process, from sanitizing the equipment to bottling the finished beer. It provided step-by-step instructions and even included troubleshooting tips. I found the user guide to be a valuable resource that made my brewing experience smooth and enjoyable.
Click here to access the user guide.
Features – What We Found
Complete Starter Kit
The Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit is a comprehensive package that includes everything you need to start brewing beer at home. It comes with a Brew Kettle and the Chinook IPA recipe kit, allowing you to brew your own delicious IPA right from the beginning.
The kit also includes essential equipment such as a hydrometer, test jar, lab thermometer, fermentor with spigot, bottling bucket with spigot assembly, bottle filler, stainless brew kettle, spoon, tubing, cleaner/sanitizer, bottle brush, bottle capper, and caps.
This all-in-one kit ensures that you have all the necessary tools and ingredients to begin your brewing journey. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced brewer, this starter set provides convenience and simplicity, making it an excellent choice for homebrewing enthusiasts.
Pro-tip: Before starting your first brew, make sure to thoroughly read the included foolproof instructions to ensure a successful brewing experience.
Chinook IPA Recipe Kit
The Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. HomeBrewing Starter Set includes the Chinook IPA recipe kit, which allows you to brew a delicious and hop-forward American IPA. The recipe kit is designed for a 5-gallon batch, allowing you to produce approximately 50 twelve-ounce bottles of finished beer.
The Chinook IPA recipe utilizes a single hop variety, Chinook, to create a bold and aromatic hop character. This recipe strikes a balance between a modest gravity and a strong hop presence, resulting in a flavorful and well-rounded IPA. It’s a great choice for IPA lovers who enjoy a hop-forward beer with a moderate alcohol content.
To get started with brewing the Chinook IPA, simply follow the provided instructions and use the included equipment to create your own batch of this delicious beer.
Precise Testing Equipment
The Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit comes with a hydrometer, test jar, and lab thermometer, ensuring that you have all the necessary testing equipment for accurate measurements during the brewing process. These tools allow you to monitor the specific gravity and temperature of your beer, providing crucial information to help you achieve the desired taste and quality.
The hydrometer and test jar help determine the specific gravity, which indicates the amount of sugar and alcohol content in the brewing solution. By taking specific gravity readings before and after fermentation, you can calculate the alcohol content and ensure fermentation is progressing as expected. The lab thermometer allows you to monitor and control the temperature throughout the brewing and fermentation process, which is crucial for yeast activity and flavor development.
High-Quality Equipment and Supplies
The Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit is made with high-quality equipment and supplies to ensure durability and reliability. The 6.5-gallon fermentor is equipped with a spigot, making it easy to transfer and bottle your finished beer. The bottling bucket with a spigot assembly and bottle filler facilitate the bottling process, ensuring an efficient and convenient experience.
The 5-gallon stainless brew kettle provides a sturdy and spacious vessel for boiling your ingredients, while the 21 stainless spoon allows for efficient mixing and stirring. The included clear tubing makes siphoning and transferring your beer a breeze. Additionally, the cleaner/sanitizer, bottle brush, and Royal Crown bottle capper with caps provide essential tools for cleaning and bottling your finished beer.
Pro-tip: Maintain the longevity of your equipment by cleaning and sanitizing properly after each use. This helps prevent contamination and ensures the longevity and quality of your brewing equipment.
Excellent Gift Choice
The Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. Homebrew Starter Kit makes an excellent gift choice for both beer enthusiasts and beginners. With its high ratings and foolproof instructions, it provides a great introduction to the world of homebrewing. The comprehensive nature of the kit eliminates the need for additional purchases, making it a convenient and all-inclusive gift option.
Whether it’s for a holiday, birthday, or any occasion, giving this starter kit as a gift allows the recipient to explore their passion for brewing right at home. It offers an enjoyable and rewarding hobby, allowing them to create their own delicious and personalized beer. The included Chinook IPA recipe kit provides a specific beer style to start with, offering a guided brewing experience while still allowing for creativity and customization.
With the Northern Brewer Brew. Share. Enjoy. Homebrew Starter Kit, you provide the opportunity for someone to embark on a brewing journey and discover the art and science behind brewing their own beer.
Final Thoughts
Our Score: 93.0/100
I recently purchased the Northern Brewer – Brew. Share. Enjoy. HomeBrewing Starter Set, Equipment and Recipe for 5 Gallon Batches (Chinook IPA with Testing Equipment), and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. As a beginner in home brewing, I found this kit to be the perfect choice. The foolproof instructions made the brewing process seamless, and the included Chinook IPA recipe kit was fantastic. The beer turned out to be delicious, filling 50 twelve ounce bottles, which was perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holidays.
What I appreciated most about this kit is that it includes everything you need to start brewing beer at home, such as a Brew Kettle, fermentor, bottling bucket, and even testing equipment like a hydrometer and test jar. The quality of the equipment is top-notch, and I have been able to reuse many of the components for subsequent batches. The 5-gallon stainless brew kettle and the 21 stainless spoon are particularly impressive.
Although the kit is comprehensive, I would recommend doing some additional research on brewing techniques and fermentation temperature control. While the instructions provided are good, there is a lot more to know about brewing for a successful outcome. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this starter kit from Northern Brewer and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in home brewing.
Best combination
If you’re considering purchasing the Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Set, I highly recommend also getting the FastRack Beer Bottles. These Amber Glass Longneck Bottles are the perfect companion for your home brewing adventures.
Why should you suggest this alternate product along with the main product? Well, let me tell you. These FastRack Beer Bottles are refillable and food-grade, ensuring that you can safely store and enjoy your homemade brews. With a 12 oz capacity and a pack of 24 bottles, you’ll have plenty of bottles to share your creations with friends and family.
Not only are these bottles practical, but they are also eco-friendly. Made in the USA, they are proudly crafted with sustainability in mind. So not only will you be enjoying delicious homebrewed beer, but you’ll also be supporting local and environmentally conscious manufacturing.
By purchasing the Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Set along with the FastRack Beer Bottles, you’ll have everything you need to kickstart your homebrewing journey. So why wait? Start brewing, sharing, and enjoying your very own batch of beer today.
Click here to buy the FastRack Beer Bottles now!
Similar Options
If you’re considering purchasing the Northern Brewer – Brew. Share. Enjoy. HomeBrewing Starter Set, Equipment and Recipe for 5 Gallon Batches (Chinook IPA with Testing Equipment), but still aren’t sure if it’s the right choice, let me suggest a few alternative products that might catch your interest:
- Northern Brewer – Siphonless 1 Gallon Craft Beer Making Starter Kit, Equipment, and Beer Recipe Kit (Irish Red Ale) – If you prefer making smaller batches of beer, this 1-gallon starter kit is a great alternative. It comes with all the necessary equipment and a recipe kit for brewing an Irish Red Ale. You can find more details and purchase it here.
- Craft A Brew – American Pale Ale – Beer Making Kit – Make Your Own Craft Beer – Complete Equipment and Supplies – Starter Home Brewing Kit – 1 Gallon – Another 1-gallon brewing kit option is the Craft A Brew American Pale Ale kit. It includes all the equipment and supplies needed to create your own craft beer. You can find more information and buy it here.
- Northern Brewer – Siphonless 1 Gallon Craft Beer Making Starter Kit, Equipment, and Beer Recipe Kit (Pale Ale) – For those who love pale ales, this 1-gallon starter kit is a fantastic choice. It comes with the necessary equipment and a recipe kit for brewing a delicious pale ale. You can check it out and make a purchase here.
- Brewer’s Best Home Brew Beer Ingredient Kit – 5 Gallon (Mexican Cerveza) – If you’re a fan of Mexican-style beer, this 5-gallon ingredient kit is worth considering. It contains all the ingredients needed to brew a refreshing Mexican Cerveza. You can find more details and order it here.
Each of these alternative products offers a unique brewing experience and allows you to explore different beer styles. Whether you prefer smaller batches or want to try your hand at brewing a specific type of beer, these options have you covered. Click on the provided links to learn more and make a purchase.