Complete Beer Brewing Setup for Under $350 (2025)

Dreaming of brewing your own beer but scared off by $1,000+ premium setups? You're not alone—homebrewing can seem expensive, but it doesn't have to be. For under $350, you can get a fully functional extract brewing system that produces great beer right from batch one.

This guide delivers a complete, tested setup with real products that work together seamlessly. You'll brew, ferment, and bottle 5 gallons (about 50 bottles) of drinkable beer in 4-6 weeks. Expect solid results like a crisp pale ale, but not pro-level perfection—this budget prioritizes getting started over fancy gadgets.

Realistic talk: This won't handle all-grain brewing or large volumes, and plastic fermenters mean manual cleaning. But it avoids common pitfalls like contamination or boil-overs, setting you up for success and future upgrades.

Start with sanitation: Mix 1 oz Star San per 5 gal water, submerge all equipment (kit buckets, pot, spoon, siphon) for 1 min—no rinse. Takes 30 min.

Brew day (2-3 hrs): Heat 2.5 gal water in pot to 155°F (use thermometer). Add grain bag if using, steep 20 min like tea, remove. Stir in malt extract off heat to avoid scorching, top to 3 gal, boil 60 min adding hops per recipe. Cool wort to 70°F (ice bath in sink, 30 min).

Transfer to sanitized fermenter via siphon (prime with water), top to 5 gal cold water, pitch yeast, seal with airlock. Ferment 2 weeks dark 65-70°F. Bottle: Siphon to bottling bucket with priming sugar (boil 5 oz in 2 cups water), fill/cap bottles. Condition 2 weeks.

No special tools needed beyond kit. Total first brew: 4 hrs spread over days. Tip: Practice siphon priming dry-run.

Budget Tips

• Reuse glass bottles from store beer (pry-offs only)—saves $30 on new bottles.
• Shop Amazon/MoreBeer sales or bundles; check Reddit r/Homebrewing for codes.
• Buy ingredients fresh quarterly, not one-offs—bulk malt cheaper long-term.
• Never skip Star San—$20 saves $50 ruined batches.
• Start extract only; all-grain doubles cost without doubling skill.
• Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace for used pots/kits (sanitize thoroughly).
• Leave 20% buffer for shipping; Prime helps.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping sanitation—causes 90% of bad batches, vinegar beer.
• Undersized pot—leads to boil-overs, sticky messes.
• Buying gadgets over basics (e.g., $100 chiller before kit).
• Ignoring temp control—hot ferments = fusel alcohols, harsh taste.
• Glass carboys—budget killers from breakage, stick to plastic.

Upgrade Roadmap

First upgrade: Add a kettle with ball valve/spigot ($80-100) for drain-no-splash transfers—huge time/sanity saver after 5 batches.

Next: Stainless fermenter or temp controller ($100-150) for precise ferments, better beer consistency. Then all-grain kit ($200) for pro flavors.

What waits: Chillers ($50) or corny kegs ($300)—focus process mastery first. Each step ~$100, total to pro setup $800 over 1-2 years.