Let’s start off by saying always drink responsibly, and by responsibly, I mean don’t pay over the top for a decent pint of amber nectar. It’s the same old story, with alcohol costing more than ever before, a good night out can begin to tally into the hundreds, but what do you get for such a high part of your salary beyond some fuzzy memories, an unexplainable traffic cone and a head like thunder?
The answer is not a lot, and as you get older, you will doubtless have discovered the wonder of craft beer and home drinking. What better way to celebrate your love of the good stuff than merge the two and become your very own back-garden brewmeister?
Home brew kits
1 of 5Pinter Bestselling Starter Pack
You can't call yourself a beer lover without trying one of Pinter's homebrew beer kits. The newly launched Pinter 2 is an excellent gift for anyone with the desire to brew what many would call the world's freshest beer (and craft beer might we add) all from the comfort of your own home. This updated, innovative device is changing the way we consume beer through its maximum flavour and freshness. Not to mention, it's an affordable solution and one that will save you a penny or few. A promising review: "Coming in a range of flavours (available through a regular subscription), the Pinter 2 is great not just for the beer lovers out there but for anyone looking for an introduction into home brewing. Extremely user-friendly and well designed, I absolutely loved the whole process. From purifying to brewing and conditioning, there's video tutorials streamlining all five steps. 10 impeccable pints and a whole lot of fun, if you're going to home brew, the Pinter 2 is the one for you."
2 of 5Bigger Jugs Cider Making Starter Kit
Yes, we kid you not, this is from a company that decided Bigger Jugs was a good name for a business… Title aside, this kit is set to provide up to 40 pints of West Country flavour. You'll get everything you need, including reusable fermentation bin and paraphernalia plus cider apple concentrate. This means you don't need to have an orchard in the garden, just throw the mix in and give it about three weeks until you can reap your rewards.
3 of 5Bulldog Brews Home Brew Kit: Hammer of Thor
A bit on the stronger side, this amber tipple is described as a strong viking with a masculine bite and soft liquid golden touch, good body and refreshing bitterness. You don't get the fermenting bin, so you'll have to buy that separately (or re-use one of the above), but after adding a touch of water and priming sugar to the included mix, you will get up to 40 pints from this mighty nordic brew.
4 of 5St Peters Brewery Golden Ale Starter Kit
If this golden ale is what awaits us at the pearly gates, I think I may be heading to church this weekend. It's described as a highly distinctive ale, and comes from St Peter's Hall, Suffolk - a brewery site that's been stood since the late 1200s. With so much experience, it's no wonder this is a popular pint. The kit includes everything you need to get started, and will brew up-to 36 pints of 4.7% ABV ale with ease. In fact, all you need do is sit back and pray for perfection.
5 of 5Festival Razorback IPA Homebrew
Another nod to the IPA fans, this ingredient-only kit delivers the goods with up to 40 pints of 5.7% strength ale. It's a great kit to use if you have your own fermentation setup, or you can buy one separately. This IPA is pale straw coloured, and boasts a distinct hoppy character, with flavours of pine needles and fruit punch, followed by a dry bitter finish. While you can get it brewed in four weeks, with a week to ferment and a further three weeks in-bottle, this one gets better the longer it stands.
With a wealth of home brew kits making it both cheap and easy to create your very own, it doesn’t matter what your poison is, you can draft a decent pint in the comfort of your own home with little more than the included ingredients, and a touch of patience.
Of course, you’ll need the appropriate vessel, and some kits include them, while others will require you to source your own (or reuse ones you already have). Since the fermentation bins are reusable, this is a must for serious enthusiasts, and even allows you to start using your own ingredients for custom recipes.