The making of one’s own booze is a practice that extends into prehistory and has outlasted countless empires (as well as Prohibition). These seven tools will help you create your own crunk and continue the home-brew tradition.
Cooper’s DIY Beer Kit
Beer is the oldest and most widely consumed adult beverage on the planet and has been around almost as long a agriculture. So, even though you’re a bit late to the whole brewing party, The Cooper’s DIY Beer kit will have you sipping suds in four simple steps. $US117.
Sparkling Sensations 4 Bottle Champagne Kit
Crack open a bottle of your own bubbly the next time you’re celebrating with this 4-bottle kit from Sparkling Sensations. Just don’t call it Champagne. $US70.
Your Fruit! Country Wine Kit
Falling somewhere between Jungle Juice and Sangria, Country Wine can be made from virtually any kind of available fruit. This kit has all of the supplies you need to make 19 litres of fruit wine, so go wild with that Raspberry-Mango Syrah idea of yours. $US120.
Archer’s Orchard Hard Cider Kit
If you enjoy a drink with less alcohol than beer and more sugar than Kool-Aid, you’re going to love brewing your own hard cider. The Archer’s Orchard Kit can turn a 2 gallons apple juice into cider in just two weeks. $US55.
Artful Winemaker
No, you don’t need to stomp your own grapes. The Artful Winemaker provides you with everything necessary, from the grape juice to wine stabilisers and clarifiers, to create 12 bottles of your own vintage in 28 days. $US150.
Home Brew Sake Full Ingredient Sake Kit
Sake’s 16 per cent ABV has roughly the same kick as the grape-based variety. This all-in-one kit includes all the ingredients to make nine litres of Japanese rice wine. You will have to provide your own rice cooker though. $US40.
Woodinville Age Your Own Whiskey Kit
While you still can’t distill your own spirits (See 26 U.S.C. 5601 and 5602 for some of the criminal penalties. Thanks Feds!), there’s no law against aging your own. The Woodinville Whiskey Kit comes with two 750mL bottles of 110-proof White Dog un-aged whiskey and a two-litre ageing barrel. Pour the Whiskey into the barrel, wait 3-6 months, consume. Or you can cut out the middle steps and just drink 110-proof un-aged whiskey like a badass. $US150.