If you’re new to homebrewing, one of the first big decisions you’ll face is whether to start with a beer kit or jump straight into all-grain brewing.
Ask around online and you’ll often hear the same advice: “All-grain is the only real way to brew beer.”
But that advice can be misleading, especially for beginners.
In this post, we’ll break down beer kits vs all-grain brewing from a practical, beginner-friendly perspective so you can choose the method that actually makes sense for where you’re at right now.
Note: If you prefer watching, you can check out the full video breakdown here!
What Is a Beer Kit?
A beer kit uses malt extract instead of raw grain. The hard work of converting grain starches into fermentable sugars has already been done for you.
Most kits include malt extract (liquid or dry), hops (or pre-hopped extract), yeast, and basic instructions.
Beer kits are designed to simplify the brewing process and reduce equipment needs.
What Is All-Grain Brewing?
All-grain brewing is the traditional method of making beer from scratch. You start with crushed grain and control the mash process yourself.
All-grain brewing requires more equipment, temperature control during the mash, more time, and more process knowledge.
It offers maximum control, but also adds complexity.
Beer Kits vs All-Grain Brewing: Key Differences for Beginners
Learning Curve
Beer kits are easier to learn. They let new brewers focus on sanitation, fermentation, yeast health, and packaging.
All-grain brewing introduces more variables early, which can overwhelm beginners.
Time Commitment
A typical beer kit brew day takes about 2–3 hours.
All-grain brewing often takes 4–6 hours or more.
If time is limited, kits make it easier to brew consistently.
Equipment Costs
Beer kits require minimal gear.
All-grain brewing requires additional equipment, increasing startup costs.
For many new brewers, kits are the more budget-friendly option.
Beer Quality
This surprises a lot of people: beer kits can make excellent beer.
Modern kits, especially extract-plus-grains or partial mash kits, are capable of producing beer that rivals all-grain batches when brewed properly.
Should New Homebrewers Start With Beer Kits?
For most beginners, the answer is yes.
Starting with beer kits allows you to build confidence, learn the fundamentals, brew more often, and avoid early frustration.
Once you’re comfortable, moving to all-grain brewing is a natural next step, not a requirement from day one.
When Does All-Grain Brewing Make Sense?
All-grain brewing makes sense when you enjoy the process itself, want full recipe control, are ready to invest more time and equipment, and already understand fermentation basics.
There’s no rush. Plenty of excellent homebrewers started with kits and moved to all-grain later.
Final Thoughts
The beer kits vs all-grain brewing debate doesn’t have a winner.
The best method is the one that fits your lifestyle, keeps brewing fun, and helps you learn without burnout.
If you’re new to homebrewing, beer kits are a smart, practical starting point, not a shortcut or a compromise.
Cheers to better beer!
Big Robb.
P.S.
Want great results right away?
Grab my Top 5 Brew-Pub-Style Beer Recipes as a gift! (grab them on the side of the blog)!
And if you want to see this topic broken down visually, check out the full YouTube video on the Make Beer Easy channel.