I just received an email from Northern Brewer saying they are having a 40% off sale on their Deluxe Home Brewer Starter Kit from now until August 22nd. The kit is the same one I bought to get started and I’m very happy with it – it has everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s normally $159.99 and the 40% discount knocks about $64.00 off the top. That’s a pretty good deal. If you’ve been thinking about jumping into homebrewing, now might be the time.
According to the website, the discount is added in at checkout. To get it, add the starter kit to your shopping cart and enter coupon code BrewNow in the shopping cart screen.
For the record, we’re getting nothing from Northern Brewer for pimping this deal, I just happen to like them as a source for homebrewing equipment and supplies and figured I’d share.
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Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Thanks! I’m still leery about getting into the homebrewing thing; I’m afraid that its either going to be a passing phase or I’m going to get totally into it and spend tons of money brewing my own stuff. How have you been doing with your home brewing and can you offer any advise as to why I should or shouldn’t make the plunge?
If you’re like me, don’t do it! that’s all I’ll say. 🙂
They say timing is everything….
I just bottled my first home brewed batch last night (with the help of @boozedancing, a.k.a. G-LO). I was reasonably happy with my kit but that $64 savings would have paid for my bottles and drying tree. Of course, I might not be so happy with the kit once we finally taste the final product in a few weeks. Any problems with the brew will absolutely be the direct fault of the equipment and not the home brewer. I’m certain of this. 😉
Cheers!
@TheAlemonger
Yes, a good craftsman ALWAYS blames his tool. Wait…I might have that wrong…
I love to hear that people outside of the midwest use Northern Brewer as a source!
Rob, if you’re not sure about homebrewing, take a minute to think of all the stuff you’re doing on the weekends and in the evenings now. If you want to keep doing all of that stuff, you may not want to get into homebrewing. It does take time to do it well (all the reading and research, plus the actual brewing). But if you end up liking it and take the time to brew good beer, you’ll be incredibly satisfied. We love that we picked homebrewing as a hobby over, say, boating or golfing. 🙂
Thanks “waltz”.
I don’t have a lot of time on the weekends or at night right now to delve into a new hobby so your advice is well heeded. Also, I can be very obsessive with things and that’s what scares me; what would happen if I decide to homebrew and it actually tastes good (which I’m sure will never happen)? There are so many reasons that I SHOULD be homebrewing; I have plenty of space to store the kit, money is somewhat of a factor but with 40% off there’s no better time to jump in; the kids are out of the house and its me, the wife and the dog and cats. I’m sure that I can sneak in a few hours to brew a batch on a weekend plus I’ve been saving bottles in the hopes that I do decide to jump into the fray. I have a friend who has brewed before and is willing to “hold my hand” if I do decide to brew my own. So why am I so hesitant?
Because you do enough stuff already?
My issue is that I have very little time for anything, so I tend to put off the homebrewing. I wish it was boating, golfing or homebrewing. It’s more like lawn work, kiddie time or homebrewing. I usually choose “noe of the above” and take a nap. 😉
I hear ya. I think I might just leave making beer to the Averys, the Ommegangs and Dogfish Heads of the world.
I’d have to figure out where and on what shelf all this stuff would sit in my garage. I know, maybe I can move that exercise bike that I use for drying clothes…;)
This is why I don’t buy exercise equipment. 12 or 16 ounce curls are good enough these days. 😉
It does take away on the free time, and with a house like ours, space. The wife is always shifting my equipment around because she needs the space. But once you taste your first batch (if you’ve done it right), you’re hooked; you might as well throw your checkbook and calendar out the window.
That is a good deal on a starter kit. If anyone goes for it, I’d take the savings and reinvest it in a good bottle capper, reducing frustration and time with a good one is very worth the cost.
That’s a hell of a price for a starting kit. Of course, you’re first few batches are going to take time, but with experience, the time gets shorter and you can multi-task. Usually, I can both brew beer and do housework at the same time on brewdays. Switching from primary to secondary fermenters generally only take 20-30 minutes as well. With a 5 gallon batch, I can sanitize bottles and then bottle the beer in less than an hour. It’s just takes time to learn how to manage your time brewing. Soon ounces and cups lead to pinches and “just about enough”.