What I Wish I Knew When I First Started Brewing
Matt Peck
It feels like yesterday, but it was actually over 15 years ago when I first dove headfirst into brewing. At the time, craft beer was on the rise, breweries were opening on every block, and brewers were pushing new waves of IPAs into the market.
Like so many others in the space, I wanted to give it a try. So I dove right in. Here's what I did and what I wish I knew:
Start with Extract Brewing via 1-Gallon Batches
Home brewing can be a costly investment, so if you want to try it out, start small. There are plenty of 1-gallon batch kits out there to get your feet wet without having to break the bank. This lets you easily dive in, learn the process, make some mistakes, and then share your beers with friends and family.
Take a Class
There are plenty of home brew clubs and shops that offer brew day classes. Most of these will be focused on all-grain brewing. It's an easy way to learn without the fear of failure. The home brewing community is a welcoming place — brewers love to educate, show off their craft, and get feedback from people. Because ultimately, that's why we do it. The love of creation and the passion to push boundaries. That feedback is critical.
Use Equipment You Already Have at Home
Before making the big investment, use what you've got. As I mentioned, the home brew kits tend to come with everything you need — a carboy, the ingredients — and then all you need is a kettle big enough to brew. Other things you'll likely need are a siphon to transfer beer and a bucket or carboy, though many 1-gallon kits will come with one. And lastly, a beer in hand. You can brew without one, sure. But I mean, this is what it's all about.
Get Out There and Brew
So sit back, relax, and dive right into the world of craft beer. Brew with friends or by yourself, but share your experience and enjoy every moment. There are plenty of times you'll get frustrated — that's okay, don't let it get to you. Brewing is meant to be an experience, and an enjoyable one. Cheers!
What You'll Need: Extract vs. All-Grain Equipment
Below is a breakdown of the minimum equipment you'll need to get started with each brewing method, along with estimated costs. Extract is where most of us begin — it's simpler, cheaper, and still makes great beer. All-grain gives you full control but comes with a bigger upfront investment.
Brewing
| Equipment | What It Does | Extract | All-Grain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brew kettle | Boils your wort with hops. 5 gal for extract, 8–10 gal for all-grain. | $30–60 | $50–100 |
| Mash tun | Holds grain at temp to convert starches to sugar. Cooler-style is the cheapest entry point. | — | $40–170 |
| Hot liquor tank | Holds heated sparge water. A second cooler or large pot works fine. | — | $20–50 |
| Large spoon / paddle | Stirs the mash and wort. | $5–10 | $5–15 |
| Thermometer | Monitors mash and boil temps. Critical for all-grain mash consistency. | $5–15 | $10–25 |
| Propane burner | High BTU heat source for larger boils. Stovetop can work for extract. | Optional | $50–100 |
| Wort chiller | Rapidly cools wort after the boil. Ice bath works for extract; chiller is faster. | Optional | $40–60 |
Fermentation
| Equipment | What It Does | Extract | All-Grain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fermenter | Where yeast turns wort into beer. Bucket or carboy; most kits include one. | $10–30 | $10–30 |
| Airlock + stopper | Lets CO₂ escape without letting air in. | $3–5 | $3–5 |
| Hydrometer | Measures gravity to track fermentation. Tells you ABV and when fermentation is done. | $5–10 | $5–10 |
Packaging
| Equipment | What It Does | Extract | All-Grain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-siphon + tubing | Transfers beer without disturbing sediment. | $10–15 | $10–15 |
| Bottles + caps | Package and carbonate your beer. Reuse non-twist-off bottles to save money. | $20–35 | $20–35 |
| Bottle capper | Crimps caps onto bottles. | $15–20 | $15–20 |
Sanitation & Ingredients
| Equipment | What It Does | Extract | All-Grain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitizer (Star San) | Sanitizes everything that touches your beer. The single most important supply you'll buy. | $10–15 | $10–15 |
| Ingredient kit (first batch) | Malt extract/grains, hops, yeast. Extract kits are simpler; all-grain needs grain + mill access. | $25–45 | $30–50 |
Estimated Totals
| Extract | All-Grain | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to brew your first 5-gallon batch | $100–200 | $270–500 |
