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Review · Mr. Beer

Mr. Beer 2 gallon kit review

The best-known no-boil homebrew kit, read from the listing, Mr. Beer's instructions and published brewing sources.

Our verdict

Mr. Beer is the lowest-effort way to make a first batch of beer, with bottles in the box and no big pot needed, but the hopped-extract method limits how much you learn and how far the recipes can go.

The Mr. Beer complete kit removes almost every barrier: a 2-gallon keg-shaped fermenter with a spigot, a can of hopped malt extract made with Coopers, yeast and reusable 25 oz PET bottles. The listing says brewing takes about 30 minutes, fermentation 10–14 days and conditioning another 7–14 days.

The same simplicity is the limit. Hopped extract means you don't choose hops or grain, and the result depends heavily on fermentation temperature. If you enjoy it and want more control, the next step is a partial-mash or full extract kit with a boil, such as a 1-gallon or 5-gallon recipe kit.

Batch size
2 gal
Type
Hopped malt extract
Fermenter
2 gal keg fermenter
Includes
Golden Ale extract, reusable 25 oz bottles
Check it on Amazon All specs

Updated November 2026 · Based on maker specs, the manual, the listing and published sources; we did not brew with it

The short version
  • Makes 2 gal (7.6 L) per batch in a keg-style fermenter with a spigot.
  • Uses hopped malt extract made with Coopers; the listing says brewing takes about 30 minutes, with no large pot needed.
  • Timing per the listing: 10–14 days fermenting, then 7–14 days carbonating in the bottle.
  • The complete kit includes reusable 25 oz PET bottles; Mr. Beer's instructions use carbonation drops or measured table sugar.
  • Mr. Beer's instructions keep fermentation around 68–76°F (20–24°C); warmer is a common cause of off-flavors.

This Mr. Beer review covers the 2-gallon complete beer making kit with Golden Ale extract. Mr. Beer kits skip the boil and the steeping: you dissolve a can of hopped malt extract in hot water, add cold water in the fermenter, pitch the yeast and wait. Bottling uses the fermenter's spigot and the plastic bottles in the box.

We read the listing, Mr. Beer's instructions and published brewing sources. We did not brew with this kit. For other first kits, see the beginner kits hub and the first brew day page.

Who it’s for, and who should skip it

Good fit if you…
  • Want the simplest possible first batch with almost no extra gear
  • Have a small kitchen and no space for a big pot or 5-gallon buckets
  • Prefer plastic bottles you don't have to cap
  • Are giving a starter kit to an adult 21 or over who's curious about brewing
Skip it if you…
  • Want to choose your own hops and grain from the first batch
  • Already know you want 5-gallon batches
  • Can't keep the fermenter in the 68–76°F range the instructions give
  • Want glass bottles for gifting or competitions

Pros and cons

What stands out
  • Very short brew day: about 30 minutes, per the listing
  • No large pot or boil needed
  • Reusable 25 oz PET bottles included in the complete kit
  • Fermenter spigot makes bottling simple
  • Extract made with Coopers; refills in many styles
  • Small footprint for a closet shelf or cabinet
Keep in mind
  • Hopped extract limits recipe control
  • Only about 2 gallons per batch
  • Results depend heavily on fermentation temperature
  • PET bottles scratch over time and need replacing
  • Instructions differ slightly between older and newer Mr. Beer sheets

Specs

Batch size2 gal
TypeHopped malt extract
Fermenter2 gal keg fermenter
IncludesGolden Ale extract, reusable 25 oz bottles

As stated by the maker or seller; confirm on the listing before you buy.

Is Mr. Beer any good?

For what it sets out to do, yes: it gets an adult from curious to drinking their own beer with the least gear and time. The hopped malt extract already contains the hop bitterness, so there is no boil schedule to follow, and the 2-gallon fermenter fits where a 6.5-gallon bucket wouldn't. The complete kit includes bottles, which most 5-gallon starter kits don't.

What decides whether the beer tastes good is the same as with any kit: cleaning and sanitizing, and fermentation temperature. Mr. Beer's instructions ask for about 68–76°F (20–24°C). A warm closet or a sunny spot can push fermenting beer above that, and warm fermentation gives solvent-like or fruity off-flavors. A cool interior room or a basement helps; see the temperature control page if your home runs hot.

How long does Mr. Beer take?

Mr. Beer 2 gallon timeline

StageTimeSource
BrewAbout 30 minutesListing
Ferment10–14 days (older sheet: 14–21 days)Listing; Mr. Beer instructions
Carbonate in bottles7–14 days; Mr. Beer says at least 14 days at room temperatureListing; Mr. Beer instructions
ChillAbout 48 hours in the fridge before drinkingMr. Beer instructions
TotalAbout 3–4 weeksListing

Source: Mr. Beer: kit instructions

The listing's timing is a guide, not a rule. Bottle only when fermentation is finished. Mr. Beer kits don't usually include a hydrometer, so the safest approach is to wait the full time, then wait a few more days if you're unsure. Bottling too early is the usual cause of over-carbonated bottles.

Avoid bottle bombsBottle only after the gravity reads the same 2–3 days in a row, measure priming sugar with a calculator, use standard bottles only to about 3 volumes, store them in a closed box at room temperature and refrigerate once carbonated.Source: BYO carbonation priming chart

What's in the box

  • 2-gallon keg-style fermenter with lid and spigot
  • Golden Ale hopped malt extract and yeast (designed with Coopers Brewery, per the listing)
  • Reusable 25 oz PET bottles with caps (older instructions list 11)
  • Carbonation drops in some kits; otherwise measured table sugar
  • No-rinse cleanser and step-by-step instructions

Mr. Beer says contents vary by kit, so check the listing. The starter version uses the same fermenter with an American Light extract; check whether bottles are included before you buy it.

Use the cleanser exactly as its label directs, and keep it away from food prep areas.

Chemicals: label directions onlyUse sanitizers, cleaners, acids and salts only at the dilution and contact time on the label. Wear eye protection with acids and powders, add acid to water, keep them away from children and food prep. Star San is EPA-registered (Reg. No. 65001-1) as a no-rinse sanitizer at label dilution.Source: EPA Star San label

Bottling and carbonation

Older Mr. Beer instructions call for two carbonation drops per 740 mL bottle; newer instructions allow measured table sugar when drops aren't included. PET bottles let you squeeze-test carbonation: when a bottle feels firm, it's close. Keep bottles at room temperature for at least two weeks, then refrigerate.

Empty brown beer bottles seen from above on a white surface
Mr. Beer batches are bottle conditioned.Photo: Thomas Picauly ma5ly, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you switch from drops to loose sugar, the priming sugar calculator works for a 2-gallon batch. Later, a hydrometer and the ABV calculator tell you how strong each batch is.

Priming sugar calculatorSet the batch to 2 gallons to work out loose priming sugar instead of drops.

Mr. Beer vs other small kits

BrewDemon's 2-gallon conical kit uses a vent plug instead of an airlock and also includes bottles. Coopers' own DIY kit uses the same brewery's extract in a larger one-step fermenter. Craft A Brew's 1-gallon kit uses a glass jug and a short boil with grain and extract, so you learn more brewing steps, but bottles aren't included. Read our Craft A Brew review, the best beer making kits for beginners list and how to brew beer at home for the next step.

Homebrewing is for adults 21 and over, and the Mr. Beer listing itself is marked 21+. A 25 oz bottle holds more than two standard 12 oz servings.

Know what’s in the glassHomebrew is often stronger than commercial beer. One US standard drink is 14 g of alcohol: 12 oz of 5% beer or 5 oz of 12% wine. Brewing and drinking are for adults 21 and over; never drink and drive.Source: NIAAA: What is a standard drink?
A glass of pale golden beer on a napkin on a wooden table
A glass of pale golden beer on a napkin on a wooden tablePhoto: Missvain, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alternatives worth a look

Same size, conical: BrewDemon's 2-gallon conical with a vent plug, an adjustable spigot and eight 1 L bottles; sediment collects at the bottom, per the maker.

Bigger Coopers kit: Coopers' 19-piece DIY kit with its one-step fermenter and Coopers extract, from the brewery that makes Mr. Beer's extract.

Learn more steps: A 1-gallon glass-jug kit with grain, extract and hops, for brewers who want a real boil; bottles and caps not included.

How we reviewed it

We read the maker’s specs, the manual and the current listing, and checked them against published brewing sources (Palmer, BJCP, AHA, BYO) and safety guidance where it applies. We did not brew with, install or lab-test this product. We never show scores, star ratings or prices.

Questions

Is Mr. Beer any good?
It is the simplest way to make a first batch: no boil, bottles included and a 2-gallon fermenter that fits a small kitchen. The trade-off is limited recipe control with hopped extract.
How long does Mr. Beer take to ferment?
The listing says 10–14 days fermenting and 7–14 days in the bottle, about 3–4 weeks in total. Mr. Beer's instructions say to condition at least 14 days, then chill about 48 hours.
What temperature should Mr. Beer ferment at?
Mr. Beer's instructions give about 68–76°F (20–24°C). Too warm is a common cause of off-flavors.
Who makes Mr. Beer extract?
The listing says Mr. Beer's hopped malt extracts are designed and made at Coopers Brewery in Australia.
How many bottles does Mr. Beer make?
A 2-gallon batch fills about ten 25 oz bottles; older instructions list 11 bottles in the complete kit.
Is Mr. Beer worth it compared with a 5-gallon kit?
If you only want to see whether you enjoy brewing, yes: it costs less space and time, and bottles are included. If you already know you want more beer per batch and more control over hops and grain, a 5-gallon extract starter kit is the better first buy.

Sources

  1. Mr. Beer: How to brew beer at home, kit instructions
  2. Mr. Beer: Brewing instructions, What's included (PDF)
  3. Mr. Beer: Coopers DIY 2 gallon beer making kit
  4. BYO: Carbonation priming chart
  5. NIAAA: What is a standard drink?