We’ve all been there — staring blankly at a screen or pacing store aisles, desperately searching for the perfect gift for someone who seems to have it all. Before you grab a gift card or a generic present, consider buying your loved one a home brewing kit this holiday season.
Home brewing is not just beer anymore. Kits allowing people to DIY their own craft beer, kombucha, seltzer and even wine are trending. It’s a personal, fun and unique gift that’s perfect for anyone on your list.
The rise of home brewing
The Library of Congress notes that home brewing has been practiced for thousands of years, but it was officially banned during Prohibition in 1919. Nearly 60 years later, in 1978, President Jimmy Carter reinstated its legality.
During the 1970s, the predominant beer on the shelves was light, American-made lager. Once home brewing was made legal again, a brewing explosion was born. People began concocting their own unique brews that were not available on the shelves at the local grocery store.
Today, home brewing has not only gone beyond beer. People are getting creative and experimenting with wacky flavors such as chocolate and even garlic. Home brewing kits simplify this process by including the same ingredients used by American craft breweries, just scaled down for small-batch brewing at home. These brewing kits also allow consumers to experiment with unique flavors.
The creative appeal of home brewing
Grandview Research reports that home brewing has grown in popularity since 2020 and predicts this growth will accelerate significantly by 2030. Several factors contribute to the appeal of home brewing. First, it allows consumers to be creative to concoct custom flavors and experiment with different ingredients.
“Homebrewers are expanding their hobby beyond beer and are crafting drinks that aren’t as commercially available as beer, like mead and fruit wines,” says Kyle Westfall, founder and president of Craft a Brew. “We’ve noticed a spike in interest in these beverages, which appears to be related to the ability to make these drinks from accessible ingredients like honey, fruit and juices that can be sourced from local farms or local grocery stores,” Westfall adds.
For example, fruit wines can be made in different flavors not readily available at grocery stores such as cranberry, banana and blueberry. Home brewers can mix and match flavors to create their custom creations.
Cost efficiency
Another reason why home brewing has become so popular is its cost efficiency. With home brewing kits, it’s possible to brew several gallons of a custom-made beverage for less than it would cost to buy in a grocery store or at a local bar or taproom.
The craft beer market is experiencing a small downturn, partially attributed to consumer resistance to the high cost of Indian pale ale or IPAs and other craft brews. Data from Untappd reveals that the average price of an IPA is now approaching $7.
With these prices, in addition to “high gas prices, higher food costs and higher costs to eat out, consumers feel the pinch and spend less on non-essential goods. Wine and spirits are also showing similar declines for the same reasons,” says Jon Reynolds, president of Brew Plan, Inc.
Most hobby-style home-brewing kits include ingredients to make a gallon or more of your beverage of choice. The cost of the kit can be a fraction of the cost of craft beverages bought in-store or in a taproom, making it an economical option.
Taking control of your beverages
Another appealing aspect of home brewing is the ability to control what goes into brewed drinks. This is desirable for kombucha and fermented sodas.
Tessa Hollman of Sprig & Spoon says, “Many find that home-brewed fermented beverages taste better than what is found in stores. You can also limit the sugar content in your drinks, which is often a concern with commercial kombuchas and fermented sodas.”
This approach to crafting drinks resonates with the growing interest in mindful consumption and a desire to understand the sources of food and beverages. With home brewing, the brewer completely controls what goes into their drinks.
Sustainability
Home brewing requires some basic equipment to get started. However, once you have a basic kit of brewing essentials such as bottles and brewing containers, these can be used repeatedly. Cutting down on bottles and packaging can significantly reduce waste. Additionally, home brewers can choose to use fresh, local and organic ingredients, which supports sustainable agriculture and reduces reliance on processed ingredients.
Laurie Neverman of Common Sense Home says, “If you have your own fruit, home brewing can be cost effective and sustainable. It’s a great way to use an overripe or slightly damaged fruit. You keep it out of the landfill and turn it into something delicious. It’s budget friendly and earth friendly.”
Fun and community
Above all, home brewing can just be downright fun. Hosting a brewing party where guests can learn to concoct their own brews is an enjoyable way to bring people together. You can also share what you’ve created at a tasting party. Pair your craft beverages with fun appetizers and let your guests sample your creations.
“It’s fun to experiment with different flavors and mixes that you would never find in the store. We sometimes have tasting parties when friends are over to try an assortment of brews, whether it’s kombucha flavors or different types of wines,” says Neverman.
Sharing your homemade creations is also a unique gift idea. Purchase some custom-made labels, wrap the bottle in cellophane with a bow, and present it to friends and family as a one-of-kind gift.
Many cities and towns also have home brewing clubs where amateur home brewers can meet and mingle. These clubs often host tastings, workshops, seminars and community-building activities.
The gift that keeps on giving
A home brewing kit is a unique and thoughtful gift, whether for someone familiar with the process or a home brewing newbie. More than just a beverage, home brewing kits offer a journey of creativity, cost efficiency, sustainability and, above all, fun. So ditch the generic gifts and give an experience that truly keeps on giving, one delicious sip at a time.
Casey Rooney is a recipe developer and the creator of Get On My Plate and Get On My Salad Plate, where she shares easy comfort food and salad recipes to help make everyday cooking stress free. With a focus on familiar flavors and using pantry staples, her recipes are down-to-earth and approachable — perfect for busy home cooks.