A mr beer is a fermenter, nothing more. And the recipes/kits are no better or worse than any other. They just really have a stigmata attached to them that is largely unfounded. An inexperienced brewer is bound to make crappy tasting beer regardless of whether it's with a Mr Beer kit, or a 150 dollar rig, it's not the method or the gear that makes good beer it's the brewer. And inexperienced brewers are going to tend to blame the Mr Beer rather than simply acknowledge that it was their inexperience that did it.
People have submitted mr beer beers in contest and won, and posted on here about it.
It's really about technique and uttilizing the tips and tricks covered on here in terms of yeast pitch rate, temp control, patience and good sanitization. We have an entire thread devoted to making the best beer possible with mr beer, here, but ANY tip mentioned on this forum to make great beer is applicable to Mr Beer as well as 5 gallon kits.
Mr beer is a gateway for many folks. It's a low cost way of dipping his feet in the hobby and seeing if he likes it. I would buy him a kit, and provide him with the link I posted as well as info on the stickeys and other beginner info on here as well.
THEN if he likes it, he will progress at his own pace. If he wants more gear he will then start getting it.
But don't be dissuaded by the negativity, just like the rest of the world, negativity whehter it's founded or not, is always louder than positive things, and if you look around with open eyes, you will see plenty of people are making great beer out of the little brown keg and enjoying it.
People have submitted mr beer beers in contest and won, and posted on here about it.
It's really about technique and uttilizing the tips and tricks covered on here in terms of yeast pitch rate, temp control, patience and good sanitization. We have an entire thread devoted to making the best beer possible with mr beer, here, but ANY tip mentioned on this forum to make great beer is applicable to Mr Beer as well as 5 gallon kits.
Mr beer is a gateway for many folks. It's a low cost way of dipping his feet in the hobby and seeing if he likes it. I would buy him a kit, and provide him with the link I posted as well as info on the stickeys and other beginner info on here as well.
THEN if he likes it, he will progress at his own pace. If he wants more gear he will then start getting it.
But don't be dissuaded by the negativity, just like the rest of the world, negativity whehter it's founded or not, is always louder than positive things, and if you look around with open eyes, you will see plenty of people are making great beer out of the little brown keg and enjoying it.
Try Midwest Supplies. They have a great starter kit that gives you all you need and more, plus an ingredient kit to start brewing right away. It's in your price range.
