Explore top-rated craft brew cider kits that make it easy to craft hard cider, mead, root beer, and more at home. This guide highlights five popular options, detailing what each kit includes, how it fits different skill levels, and how they support a fun, educational brewing experience.
| Product | Brand | What It Makes | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft A Brew Hard Cider Kit | Craft A Brew | Hard cider (1 gallon) | Complete equipment, starter guide |
| Brooklyn Brew Shop Hard Cider Kit | Brooklyn Brew Shop | Hard cider (3 batches) | Reusable fermenter, yeast, tubing, tools |
| Craft A Brew Mead Making Kit | Craft A Brew | Mead (1 gallon) | Reusable gear, guide |
| Craft A Brew Apple Cider Vinegar Kit | Craft A Brew | Apple cider vinegar (1 gallon) | Mother starter, instructions |
| Mr. Beer Craft Beer Kit | Mr. Beer | Beer (4 gallons) | All-in-one kit, bottles, refills |
Whether you’re just starting out or expanding a small home brewery, these kits offer clear instructions, reliable ingredients, and practical equipment to help you produce flavorful results. Each option emphasizes accessibility, catering to beginners while still delivering room for experimentation and education. Read on to compare what each kit provides and how they align with your cider, mead, or soda brewing goals.
Craft A Brew Hard Cider Kit — 1 Gallon
The Craft A Brew Hard Cider Kit is designed to convert cider enthusiasts into home brewers with a comprehensive starter set. It targets first-time cider makers and hobbyists, providing an accessible path to producing a 1-gallon batch. The kit emphasizes independence and experience, pairing practical equipment with the Craft a Brew Guide to Making Your Own Hard Cider. This makes it a strong option for those who value a guided yet flexible cider brewing journey.
Brooklyn Brew Shop Hard Cider Kit — Starter Set
The Brooklyn Brew Shop Hard Cider Making Kit is ideal for beginners seeking a low-friction path to a few batches of craft hard cider. It includes a reusable glass fermenter and all the essential gear, plus three yeast packets and clear instructions. The kit is designed to be used in typical kitchen spaces and is backed by instructional videos, helping users learn the fermentation process while producing reliably good cider. It’s a solid launchpad for experimenting with different juice bases and fermentation temperatures.
Craft A Brew Mead Making Kit — 1 Gallon
The Craft A Brew Mead Making Kit is a dedicated path into mead brewing, which combines honey, water, and yeast to yield a traditional honey wine. This kit emphasizes the ancient roots of mead, positioning the process as both a practical home project and a link to historic beverage making. It includes a reusable setup and a guide, enabling hobbyists to explore mead flavor profiles, fermentation timelines, and serving options while maintaining a simple, process-driven approach for 1-gallon batches.
Craft A Brew Apple Cider Vinegar Kit
The Apple Cider Vinegar Kit from Craft A Brew focuses on home fermentation skills, guiding you from juice to cider to vinegar. With a Mother starter included, this kit supports a 1-gallon production cycle and emphasizes the probiotic and culinary uses of homemade ACV. It offers a clear, step-by-step approach to transforming everyday fruit juice into a versatile kitchen staple, suitable for shrubs, pickling, and health-focused recipes.
Mr. Beer Craft Beer Kit — 4 Gallon
The Mr. Beer Craft Beer Kit provides a larger-scale option with a 4-gallon capacity, designed to deliver an easy, all-in-one brewing experience. It includes fermentation equipment and supplies to produce a batch without the need for extra pots or gear, making it a practical choice for households ready to move beyond 1-gallon experiments. The kit promises a straightforward timeline from brewing to ready-to-drink beer, typically within a few weeks, using hopped malt extract for speed and convenience.
Brewer’s Best Cider House Select Apple Cider Kit
The Brewer’s Best Cider House Select Apple Cider Kit is a more robust option, designed to produce six gallons of cider. It is suited for households seeking a larger batch with a consistent, dependable fermenting process. The kit’s scale can support party-ready ciders or multiple smaller batches, offering a practical balance of control and yield for those who enjoy sharing their craft with friends and family.
Craft A Brew DIY Root Beer Kit
The Craft A Brew Root Beer Kit lets you craft four liters of classic, frothy root beer. It emphasizes a full-flavor profile with spices and roots, plus malty sweetness to create a creamy mouthfeel before carbonation. This kit is a hands-on project suitable for family activity or solo experimentation, and it includes a beginner-friendly guide to help you manage the process from syrup to finished beverage.
Buying Guide
- Batch size: Decide whether you want 1 gallon, 3 gallons, or larger batches. Smaller kits are ideal for learning, while larger kits fit households or entertaining needs.
- Fermentation gear: Look for reusable fermenters, airlocks, and tubing. Kits with durable, dishwasher-safe equipment save time and effort over the long term.
- Ingredients and instructions: Clear, step-by-step guides and included yeast or starter cultures reduce trial-and-error and improve consistency.
- Flavor flexibility: Some kits focus on specific beverages (cider, mead, root beer), while others offer multi-beverage options. Consider whether you want to try multiple styles from one base kit.
- Support and learning resources: Access to instructional videos, community forums, or recipe variations can enhance your learning curve and enjoyment.
- Realistic timelines: Expect typical fermentation timelines and bottling or aging steps. Kits with shorter turnaround times appeal to impatient cooks and new brewers.
- Quality of materials: Stainless components, glass fermenters, and food-grade plastics tend to last longer and resist odors or staining.
- Maintenance needs: Some kits require more cleaning and sanitizing than others. Choose kits with easily replaceable parts and proven cleaning routines.