Starter Kits

Each batch produces approximately 23 litres - around 60 standard stubbies (375mL) or 30 long necks (750mL). At a typical homebrew cost of $1-1.50 per stubby, you are looking at a full slab equivalent for the cost of a few craft six-packs.

Most batches are ready to drink in 2-3 weeks. Fermentation takes around 7-10 days depending on temperature, then allow another 1-2 weeks for bottle conditioning. In warm Australian summers fermentation can move faster - in a cold Victorian or Tasmanian winter it can take longer if you are not managing temperature.

Just bottles and crown seals. Glass longnecks or stubbies with crown-seal tops work best - avoid screw-top or lightweight bottles, they will not hold carbonation reliably. AHB stocks bottles separately if you need them.

It is the most important step in home brewing and the most common reason first batches go wrong. A good clean followed by a no-rinse sanitiser before every piece of equipment touches your beer is all it takes. The included sanitiser is no-rinse - you do not need to dilute or rinse it off, which keeps the process quick. Do not skip it.

Most extract kits ferment best between 18 degrees C and 22 degrees C. In Australia this is where conditions vary most: in Victoria, Tasmania and southern NSW through winter, indoor temps can drop below 16 degrees C even in a heated house - ale yeasts will slow significantly or stall below that point. In Queensland and WA in summer, the opposite problem applies - fermenting above 25 degrees C produces ester-heavy, fruity off-flavours. The sweet spot is 18-22 degrees C.

Use the hydrometer. Take a reading on two consecutive days - when it is stable and matches the target final gravity on your recipe, fermentation is done. Do not rely on airlock activity. In cooler conditions common in southern Australia through winter, airlocks often go quiet well before fermentation is actually complete. The hydrometer reading is the only reliable indicator.

Yes - the fermenter and accessories work for every style. Swap the recipe kit and you can brew lagers, pale ales, stouts, IPAs, wheat beers and more. The main variable is yeast and fermentation temperature - lager yeasts need cooler conditions than ale yeasts, which is worth knowing before you pick your first recipe in summer.

Metro: usually a few business days. Regional: often a bit longer. You get tracking when it leaves the warehouse.

If something isn't right, tell us. We'll sort returns or replacements under Australian Consumer Law and our written policy.