Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit Review (Updated | Apr 25th)
Selecting a homebrew starter kit requires evaluating equipment durability, ingredient quality, and the clarity of instructions. The Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit is designed to simplify the transition into fermentation for beginners. This review examines the functionality of the included components, such as the brew kettle and glass bottles, against industry standards. This guide benefits individuals seeking a comprehensive entry point into the hobby without purchasing separate tools.
Key Takeaways
- The Classic Bavarian Choice is ideal for beginners wanting a complete setup with a durable stainless steel kettle.
- Choose the Bold Hop Character kit if you prefer a flavor profile defined by intense, aromatic hop bitterness.
- Integrated spigots on these fermentors eliminate the need for difficult siphoning and simplify the bottling process.
- Ensure your kit includes a hydrometer to accurately track fermentation progress and determine final alcohol content.
- The included Hefeweizen recipe is the best starting point for novices due to its forgiving brewing nature.
Northern Brewer 5 Gallon Homebrewing Starter Set (Hank’s Hefeweizen)
Classic Bavarian Choice
- Includes a durable stainless steel brew kettle for immediate use.
- The Hefeweizen recipe is very forgiving for first-time brewers.
- Built-in spigots make transferring and bottling much easier.
- BEST FOR CLASSIC BAVARIAN CHOICE: Northern Brewer 5 Gallon Homebrewing Starter Set (Hank’s Hefeweizen) Read More ↓
- BEST FOR BOLD HOP CHARACTER: Northern Brewer 5 Gallon Homebrewing Starter Set (Chinook IPA) Read More ↓
- BEST FOR SIPHONLESS ENTRY KIT: Northern Brewer 5 Gallon Essential Homebrewing Starter Set (Block Party) Read More ↓
Product Comparison: Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit
Northern Brewer 5 Gallon Homebrewing Starter Set (Hank’s Hefeweizen)
If you have been curious about making your own beer but felt intimidated by the gear, this kit is basically a brewery in a box. What I love about this setup is that it includes the 5 Gallon Stainless Brew Kettle, which many other starter sets make you buy separately.
You start off with the Hank’s Hefeweizen recipe, a crowd-pleaser that turns out a hazy, golden wheat beer with those classic banana and clove notes. It is designed for beginners, so the instructions are foolproof and the 6.5 gallon fermentor with a built-in spigot makes transferring your brew way less messy.
This is perfect for the person who wants to jump straight into 5-gallon batches without scouring the internet for individual parts. However, keep in mind that while it gives you the bottle capper and caps, you will need to save up or buy 50 empty glass bottles yourself, as they aren’t included in the box.
✓ Reasons to Buy
- Includes a durable stainless steel brew kettle for immediate use.
- The Hefeweizen recipe is very forgiving for first-time brewers.
- Built-in spigots make transferring and bottling much easier.
- Comes with a complete testing kit including a hydrometer.
✗ Reasons Not to Buy
- You must provide fifty of your own clean glass bottles.
- The included thermometer is a basic glass lab style.
Northern Brewer 5 Gallon Homebrewing Starter Set (Chinook IPA)
This version of the Brew Share Enjoy kit is the ultimate starting point for the hop-head in your life. Instead of a mellow wheat beer, this one features the Chinook IPA recipe, which is a bold, single-hop American IPA that really showcases that piney, resinous character.
The hardware is top-notch for the price point, especially the Royal Crown Bottle Capper and the 21-inch stainless spoon which feels much sturdier than cheap plastic alternatives. Everything is sized for 5-gallon batches, yielding about 50 beers per run.
It is the ideal gift for someone who wants a hobby that results in a professional-tasting product right out of the gate. One thing to watch out for is the 5-gallon kettle size; it is exactly the size of your batch, so you have to be extremely careful about boil-overs on your stove when those hops start foaming up.
✓ Reasons to Buy
- Chinook IPA kit offers a bold and professional hop profile.
- The stainless steel spoon is much better than plastic versions.
- Step-by-step instructions take the guesswork out of brew day.
- Includes sixty bottle caps to cover your first full batch.
✗ Reasons Not to Buy
- The 5-gallon kettle leaves very little headspace during heavy boils.
- Cleaning the long tubing without a dedicated rack is tricky.
Northern Brewer 5 Gallon Essential Homebrewing Starter Set (Block Party)
If you’ve been thinking about making your own beer but feel overwhelmed by the gear, this is the perfect place to start. I love that it comes with the Block Party Amber Ale recipe, which is a real crowd-pleaser with those toasty bread and caramel notes that aren’t too bitter for beginners.
The standout feature here is the siphonless fermenter; it has a built-in spigot that makes transferring your beer so much cleaner than messing around with traditional auto-siphons. You get a massive 6.5-gallon fermenting bucket, a dedicated bottling bucket, and a solid 21-inch stainless steel spoon that won’t snap like the cheap plastic ones.
It’s designed for anyone who wants a foolproof entry into the hobby without buying extra parts later. However, you should know that it doesn’t include a brew kettle or empty bottles.
You’ll need to source a 5-gallon pot and about 50 pop-top bottles separately before you can actually get started on your first brew day.
✓ Reasons to Buy
- The siphonless fermenter makes transferring beer incredibly easy and mess-free.
- Includes a high-quality stainless steel spoon instead of flimsy plastic.
- The Block Party Amber Ale is a reliable, tasty first recipe.
- Comes with enough caps for sixty bottles of homebrewed beer.
- Clear, foolproof instructions guide you through every single step.
✗ Reasons Not to Buy
- You must provide your own five-gallon stainless steel brew kettle.
- Empty glass bottles are not included in this starter package.
- The oxygen wash cleaner is only enough for one brew session.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
Which recipe kit is best for a first-time brewer?
The Northern Brewer – Block Party Amber Ale is the most forgiving for beginners because its malt-forward profile hides minor temperature fluctuations well. If you prefer something lighter, the Northern Brewer – Hank’s Hefeweizen is excellent, though the yeast can be more active and messy during fermentation.
Does this kit include everything I need to bottle the beer?
The Northern Brewer – Chinook IPA and other ‘Brew. Share. Enjoy.’ kits include the hardware for bottling, but you will need to provide your own 12oz pry-off bottles. You will also need a heat source and water, but the sanitizer, caps, and even the brew kettle are included in these specific bundles.
What is the benefit of the siphonless fermenter found in the Essential kit?
The Northern Brewer – Essential kit features a fermenter with a built-in spigot, which significantly reduces the risk of oxidation and contamination compared to traditional racking canes. It makes the transfer process much cleaner for a novice, though you must ensure the spigot is disassembled and sanitized thoroughly between batches.
How much space do I need to use this kit effectively?
You need enough stovetop space to boil 5 gallons of liquid and a cool, dark spot roughly the size of a square foot for the fermenting bucket to sit for two weeks. Avoid cramped closets with no airflow, as consistent ambient temperature is the most critical factor for beer quality.
Is the included brew kettle large enough for advanced brewing?
The kettle in these kits is designed for ‘extract’ brewing, where you boil a concentrated amount of wort and top it off with water in the fermenter. If you eventually move to ‘all-grain’ brewing, you will likely need to upgrade to a larger 10-gallon pot to handle the full volume of the grain mash.
How long does the process take from start to finish?
Brew day usually takes about 3 to 4 hours, followed by two weeks of fermentation in the bucket. Once bottled, the beer needs another two weeks at room temperature to carbonate, meaning you should plan for a total of one month before your first taste.
What is the most common mistake beginners make with these kits?
The most frequent error is improper sanitation of the equipment that touches the beer after the boil. While the instructions are foolproof, you must be diligent about using the included Star San on everything—spoons, thermometers, and the fermenter—to avoid ‘off’ flavors caused by wild yeast.
