Beer-Making Kits: Under 21 And Ready To Brew?

In the US, it is illegal to drink alcohol if you are under 21. However, the law does not explicitly prohibit minors from purchasing the ingredients and equipment needed to brew beer. While some shops will require customers to be 21 or older, many do not. Online shops rarely ask for ID, and some of the biggest retailers of homebrewing kits will sell to anyone.

In addition, 45 states have exemptions in their drinking laws that allow people under 21 to drink at home with parental permission or in the presence of a parent or guardian.

Legality of buying beer-making kits under 21

The legality of buying beer-making kits if you're under 21 varies depending on where you live.

In the US, it is illegal to drink alcohol if you are under 21. However, there is no federal law that prohibits the sale of brewing supplies to minors. Some states, such as Alabama, do have laws that make it illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase or possess equipment used to produce alcohol.

Even in states where it is legal to buy brewing supplies as a minor, some shops will still require customers to be 21 or over. Online shops may also ask for ID.

In terms of actually brewing and consuming the beer, the laws vary from state to state. In some states, it is illegal to brew beer as a minor. In others, it is legal to brew but not to consume. In a few states, it is legal for minors to consume alcohol in private residences, as long as they have permission and/or are in the presence of a parent or guardian.

Therefore, the legality of buying beer-making kits for those under 21 depends on a range of factors, including state and local laws, retailer policies, and whether the purchaser intends to brew and/or consume the beer.

Online vs local shops for buying kits

When it comes to buying beer-making kits, there are two main options: online retailers or local shops. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Online retailers offer a wide variety of beer-making kits that can be conveniently purchased from the comfort of your home. They often provide detailed descriptions, specifications, and customer reviews, making it easier to compare different options and make an informed decision. Additionally, online retailers may offer competitive prices and sometimes include free shipping. However, one downside is that you may have to wait for the delivery, which can take a few days. Returns and exchanges can also be more complicated with online retailers.

On the other hand, local shops provide the advantage of being able to see and touch the products in person before purchasing. This can be especially helpful if you are new to beer making and want to get a better idea of the equipment and ingredients involved. Local shops also allow you to build relationships with the staff, who can provide valuable advice and guidance. You can also expect faster access to your purchase, and some shops may even offer loyalty programs or discounts for local residents. However, the selection at local shops may be more limited, and prices may vary depending on your location.

Both options have their benefits, and it is worth considering your priorities when making a decision. If you value convenience and a wide selection, online retailers may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer to see the products in person and want more personalised advice, local shops could be a better choice. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences and what works best for you.

The best beer-making kits for beginners

Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit

Northern Brewer's Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit is a great option for beginners. It includes all the essentials you need to get started, such as a 5-gallon kettle, a 21-inch stirring spoon, and a hydrometer. The kit also features a siphonless design, making it easier to transfer beer after fermentation. Additionally, Northern Brewer provides excellent customer support seven days a week.

MoreBeer Premium Home Brewing Kit

The MoreBeer Premium Home Brewing Kit is a more expensive but comprehensive option. It includes a larger, heavy-duty 8.5-gallon kettle with a ball valve, a copper immersion chiller, and a better fermenter. The kit also comes with a Star San sanitizer and detailed instructions. MoreBeer offers various support options, including phone, live chat, and email.

Northern Brewer Craft Beer Making Kit with Siphonless Fermenter

If you're looking for a smaller-batch or budget-friendly option, the Northern Brewer Craft Beer Making Kit is a great choice. This 1-gallon kit includes essential tools like an airlock, bottling wand, tubing, a bottle capper, and bottle caps. While it doesn't include a hydrometer or kettle, it does offer Northern Brewer's excellent customer support.

Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit

Another option to consider is the Northern Brewer Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit, which includes a 5-gallon stainless steel kettle, a hydrometer, a ported 6-gallon wide-mouth plastic fermenter, and more. It even comes with Star San sanitizer, which is a nice addition. However, this kit is slightly more expensive than the Brew Share Enjoy kit.

MoreBeer Deluxe Home Brewing Kit

The MoreBeer Deluxe Home Brewing Kit is very similar to the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy kit, including a 5-gallon stainless steel kettle, hydrometer, ported 6-gallon wide-mouth plastic fermenter, and more. It also offers Star San sanitizer, which is a plus. However, Northern Brewer's superior customer service may give it an edge.

MoreBeer Premium Electric All Grain Home Brewing Kit

For those interested in all-grain brewing, the MoreBeer Premium Electric All Grain Home Brewing Kit is a good choice. It includes a 9.25-gallon DigiBoil electric brewer and DigiMash upgrade kit, allowing for temperature control during the brewing process. This kit is ideal for beginners who want to explore all-grain brewing right from the start.

Craft-A-Brew Catalyst Premium Homebrew Starter Kit

The Craft-A-Brew Catalyst Premium Homebrew Starter Kit features a unique 6.5-gallon conical plastic fermenter with a yeast collection jar. However, it doesn't include some crucial items like a kettle, hydrometer, or airlock, and user reviews mention issues with leaking seals.

Great Fermentations Basic Brewing Starter Kit

The Great Fermentations Basic Brewing Starter Kit relies on an autosiphon instead of a siphonless design and doesn't include a kettle. It may be a good option, but it doesn't stand out compared to other kits in the same price range.

MoreBeer Home Brewing Kit

The MoreBeer Home Brewing Kit offers good value, including Star San sanitizer and a hydrometer. However, it lacks a kettle and recipe, and the fermentation bucket's lid isn't airtight.

MoreBeer Premium Home Brewing Kit with Kegging System

If you're willing to invest, the MoreBeer Premium Home Brewing Kit with Kegging System adds a 5-gallon keg, a dual-gauge CO2 regulator, and a 5-pound CO2 tank. This option skips the bottling process and allows you to serve your beer straight from the tap. However, the high price tag may be a deterrent for beginners.

Northern Brewer Electric Brew Share Enjoy

The Northern Brewer Electric Brew Share Enjoy kit includes useful items like a copper immersion chiller and ported wide-mouth plastic fermenters. However, its 4.4-gallon electric kettle may limit brewers to smaller batches or require topping up for larger volumes.

Northern Brewer Premium Craft Brewery in a Box

The Northern Brewer Premium Craft Brewery in a Box offers an impressive kettle and a ported Big Mouth Bubbler plastic fermenter with a carrying harness. However, the high price and some questionable inclusions, like a stainless steel wort chiller, may give you pause.

William's Bottling Home Brewery

The William's Bottling Home Brewery kit is similarly priced to the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy kit but falls short in several areas. Notably, it doesn't include a kettle, and the included spoon is plastic instead of stainless steel. On the plus side, it offers more recipe kit options than any other kit.

BrewDemon Craft Beer Brewing Kit

The BrewDemon Craft Beer Brewing Kit comes in 1-gallon and 2-gallon variants. The 2-gallon version uses a conical plastic fermenter design and includes bottles, but it lacks some essentials like an airlock, bottling wand, and spoon. The plastic fermenter has also been mentioned in user reviews for its lack of durability.

Brewer's Best 1 Gallon Brewing Starter Kit

The Brewer's Best 1 Gallon Brewing Starter Kit stands out for including a hydrometer and sanitizer, which are nice additions for a small-batch kit. However, it doesn't include a bottling bucket, and the lack of a recipe kit may be a downside.

Brooklyn Brew Shop 1-Gallon Kits

Brooklyn Brew Shop offers a range of affordable 1-gallon kits that are popular as gifts. These kits focus on all-grain brewing and provide valuable skills for beginners. However, they are quite limited in terms of equipment, making the brewing and bottling processes more challenging.

MoreBeer 1 Gallon Homebrew Starter Kit

The MoreBeer 1 Gallon Homebrew Starter Kit doesn't have a spigot on its fermenter and lacks a bottling bucket, making the bottling process less convenient. While it includes some nice extras, the omissions may be dealbreakers for some beginners.

The process of brewing beer at home

Brewing beer at home is a simple process that can be traced back to 12,000 years ago. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to brew beer at home:

Cleaning and Sanitizing

First, gather all the necessary equipment and clean and sanitise them thoroughly. This is a crucial step to ensure the success of your brewing process. Use an unscented mild detergent to clean the equipment, followed by a sanitising solution such as Five Star Star-San. No-rinse varieties are recommended for their simplicity and effectiveness.

The Brew

This step requires the most attention and involves several sub-processes: mashing, lautering, and boiling.

Mashing

Mashing is the process of activating enzymes in the grains to convert starches into sugar. Immerse your grain bill in hot water, maintaining a temperature between 100°F and 170°F. This will gently break down the starches and activate enzymes, creating the necessary food for the yeast. Water quality, temperature control, and stirring are important factors during mashing.

Lautering

Lautering separates the wort (sugar water) from the grain. The purpose is to remove sugars trapped within the grain to maximise the yield. Various methods can be used, but most involve sparging, where heated water is poured over the grain to rinse out any remaining sugars.

Boiling

The boiling process, distinct from mashing, occurs at a much higher temperature (around 212°F) and over a longer period. It serves to destroy unwanted enzymes, remove oxygen, and stabilise the wort by lowering its pH, creating an optimal environment for the addition of hops. Hops are crucial as they balance the beer by adding bitterness to counteract the sweetness of the grain. They can be added at different stages for bittering, flavouring, or aroma.

Fermentation Preparation

After the boil, quickly reduce the wort's temperature, add water, and take a gravity reading. Then, add the yeast or "pitch" it into the mixture. Ensure the yeast is at room temperature before pitching to ensure better fermentation and beer quality.

Fermentation

Fermentation is the magic step where yeast converts sugars into ethyl alcohol and CO2. It is recommended to separate this process into primary and secondary fermentation.

Primary Fermentation

This stage allows yeast to convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, and for unwanted particles to settle at the bottom of the vessel. Maintain a temperature of 68°F to 72°F for healthy fermentation. Active fermentation is indicated by the release of CO2 gas or bubbling in an airlock chamber. As bubbling slows down, transfer the beer to a secondary fermentation vessel.

Secondary Fermentation

Although not necessary, secondary fermentation improves the quality of your beer by enhancing clarity, smoothing out flavours, and reducing the risk of infection. It is also when brewers typically choose to dry hop, infusing additional bitterness, flavour, and aroma from hops. Allow at least one week for this stage, but longer periods are beneficial.

Bottling and Kegging

The final steps involve storing the beer in airtight vessels (bottles or kegs) for carbonation and conditioning. Both methods have their advantages, but bottling is generally simpler and more inexpensive for home brewers, while kegging is quicker and easier.

Bottling

Sanitise all equipment that will come into contact with the beer. Add priming sugar to the empty bottling bucket, then rack the beer from the secondary fermenter into the bottling bucket. Attach tubing and a bottle filler, and begin bottling by filling sanitised bottles to about 3/4 of an inch from the top. Cap the bottles and store them in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks to condition and carbonate.

Kegging

Sanitise the equipment, rack the beer from the secondary fermenter to the keg, seal the keg, and connect it to a CO2 cylinder for carbonation. Carbonation levels depend on the beer's temperature and desired CO2 volume. Set the regulator to the appropriate PSI level and allow the keg to carbonate for a minimum of four days. Lower the PSI for serving.

Home brewing is a rewarding process that allows you to create unique beers with experimental flavours, aromas, and characteristics. Enjoy the fruits of your labour, and remember to consume your brew responsibly!

Legality of drinking non-alcoholic beer under 21

The laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beer vary across US states. While the National Minimum Drinking Age Act forbids the purchase of non-alcoholic beverages by individuals under 21, many states have framed their own laws since the passing of the Act.

In the following states, buyers under the age of 21 are allowed to both buy and consume non-alcoholic beer:

• District of Columbia
• Ohio (must be over 18)

In the following states, buyers under 21 cannot purchase non-alcoholic beer:

• Oregon (for 0.5% ABV and above)
• West Virginia (for 0.5% ABV and above)
• Wyoming (for 0.5% ABV and above)

In some states, the laws are less clear-cut. For example, in Alabama, non-alcoholic beer is not regulated in wet counties, but its sale is prohibited in dry counties.

While the purchase of non-alcoholic beer is illegal for individuals under 21 in most states, consumption is not. In many states, minors can consume non-alcoholic beverages under their parents' supervision.

In summary, the laws surrounding the purchase and consumption of non-alcoholic beverages for minors vary across state lines. As such, it is essential to check local regulations and retailer policies before attempting to purchase.

Frequently asked questions