Beer is one of the world’s most popular beverages and has been around for over 10,000 years. Millions of people consume it regularly, and some countries did not even consider it an alcoholic drink until a few decades ago.
The popularity of this fermented drink comes from the deliciously smooth taste, the refreshing cool energy, and the slight buzz that people get from it. With an alcohol percentage that is a lot lower than hard liquor like whiskey, beer is the drink of moderation. It is a versatile option for social events, and there is evidence to suggest that a moderate amount of regular beer drinking can actually be healthy for your body in the long run.
With the leaps that technology has taken, brewing beer is no longer a feat that can only be accomplished in large breweries outside of town. You can buy a home brewing system and start brewing your own beer from your own garage! Nearly 1.1 million Americans brew their own beer now.
There are several options when it comes to making your own beer. In this review, we talk about some of this equipment and which one would be the best home brewing system for you.
1. GasOne 32QT - 8 Gallon
This 8-gallon beer brewing home kit is made of high-quality stainless steel, which makes it long-lasting, immune to dust, and easy to clean. The heat conduction of the kit is also good, which is an important factor in beer brewing systems. With a triple-ply setup, it is durable and long-lasting as well, and the lid included in the system ensures that the heat does not escape.
The system comes with a brewing thermometer, which indicates the temperature of the beer brewing inside. Any good brewing book will tell you that it is an important factor in deciding how the beer turns out. On top of this, the dual-purpose Bazooka screen included in this system can be used for filtering your hops from the wort.
Specifications
- Product capacity – 8 gallons
- Product weight – 14.39 pounds
- Product material – Stainless steel
- Capacity markings – Yes
- Temperature marking – Yes
What’s Good
- With a dedicated making system for temperature and capacity, you can keep track of exactly how much beer you’re brewing and how well it is being made, to give you the perfect tasting beverage according to your recipe.
- The system has a stainless steel body and lid with a triple-ply bottom, which makes sure that all of your brewing is efficient and long-term.
- If you’re not using it for brewing beer, it can also be used for cooking crabs and crawfish.
What’s Bad
- The system can leak over long-term use if the amount of liquid and the temperature used is too high.
- Make sure that you know exactly how to use the machine, as some of the parts like the bazooka screen might be confusing for beginners.
2. Grainfather Connect Complete All in One Home Beer Brewing System
The Grainfather Connect is different in the sense that it is purely electronic, which means that you can just plug it in and start using it. There is no need to get a propane burner or a stove to use this brewing system. It can also be used indoors, so you can easily set up a brewing system in your kitchen.
With an 8 gallon capacity, the Grainfather is made from high-quality stainless steel. It can make up to 6 gallons of beer in one brew. The electronic setup ensures that you can program exactly how you want to make your beer. It also comes with a waterproof digital display that gives you a temperature reading. The machine also includes Bluetooth connectivity, which can send signals to your phone telling you when to take the next steps.
Specifications
- Product capacity – 8 gallons
- Product weight – 43.7 pounds
- Product material – Stainless steel
- Capacity markings – Yes
- Temperature marking – Yes
What’s Good
- The machine is fully electronic, which means that you do not have to deal with burners or worry about a fire hazard while setting it up indoors.
- Bluetooth connectivity and programmable heating give this machine a futuristic feel, which can greatly improve your brewing experience.
- Delayed heating and wort chilling options are excellent for experimenting with homebrewed beer.
What’s Bad
- The machine is very expensive and can cost almost 8-10 times as much as a conventional brewing system.
- For people who prefer conventional brewing systems, the excessive electronic aspects of this machine might not be very appealing.
3. BrewDemon Conical Fermenter by Demon Brewing Company
This small-batch fermenter from Demon Brewing Company is the first of its kind. Available in inspired conic design, it reduces the amount of trub contacting your finished beer, leaving you with a cleaner, clearer, and smoother finished beverage. The conical design also ensures that you don’t need to siphon while brewing.
The brewing system is made from food-grade PVC to make sure that no unwanted taste enters your recipe. A spout at the end also makes it very easy to fill bottles with it. As the system is small in size, it can brew up to 2 gallons of beer.
Specifications
- Product capacity – 2 gallons
- Product weight – 3.04 pounds
- Product material – PVC
- Capacity markings – Yes
- Temperature marking – Yes
What’s Good
- The machine has an excellent and revolutionary design that comes with pros like not having to siphon, having a cleaner tasting recipe, and convenience when it comes to filling bottles.
- The system is very portable, weighs just over 3 pounds, so cumbersome equipment is not an issue.
What’s Bad
- If you’re looking to make large batches of beer or the drink of your choice, the small capacity in this machine might not make it the best fit for you.
- If you overfill the container, the fermentation process might cause the beer to leak.
4. NutriChef Portable Mini Keg
The interesting thing about this system is that it is double-walled, which gives it an extra layer of insulation. This can keep beverages warm or cold for up to 8 hours. The vacuum pressured container also keeps the beer carbonated and doesn’t let it go flat.
The size of the container is also large. The system comes with a pressure regulator, which can help you decide exactly how you want your beer to be brewed. The container comes with a cap spear, a brass tap, an aluminum regulator, an O-ring kit, and beer tubing.
Specifications
- Product capacity – 64 ounces
- Product weight – 5.62 pounds
- Product material – Stainless steel
- Capacity markings – Yes
- Temperature marking – Yes
What’s Good
- The insulation and double walls of the container make it excellent not only for brewing beer, but also for storing it.
- The cap on the system is hexagonal instead of circular, which makes screwing and unscrewing it a lot easier.
- The materials of the attachments are decided in a way that makes them great for their specific purposes.
What’s Bad
- The system is not very large, so if you’re looking to brew large batches of beer, this might not be the best fit for you.
- This is a good system for beginners, but if you’re an experienced brewer looking to experiment with different tastes, you might want to go for a more customizable system.
5. NutriChef Pressurized Growler Tap System
Imagine brewing your beer, and your container doubling up as a storage space for it as well that would keep it fresh for up to 2 months. That’s exactly what you get with NutriChef’s Pressurized Growler Tap System. Available with a regulator that lets you adjust the amount of pressure being pumped into the system, you can easily decide the taste and strength of your beer.
The system and all accessories are made of heavy-duty stainless steel, which will ensure that the system is durable and not prone to rust. With a 128 ounce tank, the tank can easily fit in your fridge after the brewing process is over.
Specifications
- Product capacity – 128 ounces
- Product weight – 5.8 pounds
- Product material – Stainless steel
- Capacity markings – Yes
- Temperature marking – Yes
What’s Good
- The system is pressurized, which helps beer stay fresh and doesn’t let it get flat for up to 2 months.
- The convenient size of the container helps it fit in the fridge easily, while also being large enough to form a decent sized batch of beer.
What’s Bad
- Beer might come out foamy if you are new to using this and do not know how exactly to brew it.
- Neoprene sleeves have to be bought separately and are not included with the product.
6. NutriChef Pressurized Mini Keg System, 64 Ounces
NutriChef’s Pressurized Mini Keg System is another great option for brewing, carbonating, and storing craft beer, draft beer, and homebrew. With a stainless steel body that is pressurized for trapping carbon dioxide inside, this keg comes with a pressure regulator that helps you choose exactly how carbonated you want your beer to be.
Even if you’re not a homebrew lover, this keg can make a great gift for someone who loves beer and is interested in brewing it in the comfort of their own home.
Specifications
- Product capacity – 64 ounces
- Product weight – 4.08 pounds
- Product material – Stainless steel
- Capacity markings – Yes
- Temperature marking – Yes
What’s Good
- The system is a pressurized container, which helps keep beer fresh for up to 2 months. This means that it doubles as both a brewing system and a storing system for beer.
- Disposable CO2 cartridges (not included) can be paired with the pressure regulator to decide exactly how carbonated you want your beer to be.
What’s Bad
- The regulator and other attachments can be a bit fragile and can break if the container tips over and falls on them.
- This system is not the biggest on the list, and if you want a bigger batch, you should go for a 128-ounce system.
Buyer’s Guide
These reviews hopefully help give you a great idea of what to expect from these options, but it might still be difficult to pick the best home brewing system based on your specific needs. This is why we’ve curated a condensed buyer’s guide for you based on the strengths of each of these systems.
- The Ultra-portable system – If you’re not too picky about how much beer you’re making, and it is more a way of having a cool mug every now and then instead of bottling up several cold ones, you should go for the lightweight BrewDemon Conical Fermenter.
- The Ultra-modern system – Does technology excite you? If you want a completely electronic system and even comes with a Bluetooth connection to let you know what to do next via your phone, check out the Grainfather Connect.
- The conventional system – If you’re on a budget and you believe that good beer can only be made by the old conventional methods of brewing, the right fit for you would be the GasOne 32QT.
- Large Keg – If you’re looking for a system that makes a lot of beer and also stores it in a pressurized way, go for the NutriChef Pressurized Growler Tap System.
- Small Keg – If you want a brewing system that stores beer and is also extremely portable, both NutriChef Portable Mini Keg and NutriChef Pressurized Mini Keg System are great options for you.
Final Thoughts
Beer lovers, unite! We hope that this review has helped you pick out the best home brewing system for you according to your needs and that you get started on making your own beer very soon! If you’re interested, feel free to check out our other reviews on similar topics as well. Happy brewing!
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