Have you ever wondered what the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage tastes like? Mead, or honey wine, has been enjoyed by civilizations for thousands of years. Today, you can create this golden, nectar-like drink right in your own kitchen. There is something truly magical about turning simple honey, water, and yeast into a delicious masterpiece that you crafted yourself.
However, starting your brewing journey can feel overwhelming. A quick search online reveals hundreds of different mead making kits, and it is easy to feel lost. Some kits come with too many complicated tools, while others lack the basic ingredients you actually need to succeed. You might worry about buying low-quality equipment or wasting money on a set that is impossible for a beginner to use. Choosing the wrong kit can turn a fun hobby into a stressful chore.
That is where this guide comes in. We have done the hard work for you by testing the best options on the market. By reading further, you will learn exactly what features to look for in a starter kit and which brands offer the best value for your budget. We will help you cut through the confusion so you can focus on the fun part: brewing your first batch.
Ready to turn your kitchen into a home meadery? Let’s dive into our top picks and get your brewing adventure started.
Top Mead Making Kit Recommendations
- BREW YOUR OWN - Be more than a mead drinker; be a mead maker! This Craft a Brew kit will turn mead lovers into mead brewers and give you all the independence, experience, and fun that comes with brewing your own mead.
- HONEY WINE – Mead is the original fermented beverage, predating wine or beer. Making mead is as simple as combining honey, water & yeast. Drink it out of a goblet or a horn to channel the Vikings and ancient Romans who considered it to be the “nectar of the gods.”
- HOME BREWING STARTER SETS – Designed to help first-timers and hobbyists alike get the most of their craft brew experience, this mead starter kit teaches you about the art of brewing with our Craft a Brew Guide to Making Your Own Mead.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED – You bring the honey, and we bring the rest! Our kits come with everything you need to craft your own honey wine in just 4 weeks. Our Mead brew kit comes with all of the supplies you need to homebrew mead at home: 1 gallon Glass Carboy, Airlock, Rubber Stopper, Racking Cane & Tip, Transfer Tubing & Tip, Funnel, Yeast, Yeast Nutrients, Sanitizer, and Mead Making Guide.
- MADE IN THE USA – Each mead kit is assembled by hand in Orlando, FL instilled with the core values of providing high-quality ingredients, elegant and effective design, and an environmentally sustainable mindset. Enjoy mead the right way with your own kit.
- New to mead (honey wine) making? No worries; Our mead making kit includes a step-by-step guide that walks you through the entire process
- Comes with Exclusive Extras: You get all the practical tools you expect in a premium wine making kit – plus an auto siphon for easily transferring mead and a hydrometer and test jar for gauging alcohol content
- Durable Decorative Fermenting Jar: Plus, you get a sparkling 1 gallon glass jug adorned with a charming honey bee; The extra-thick glass resists breakage and helps keep oxygen out of your wine
- Superior Tools for Superior Wine: From its sturdy glass carboy and 3-piece airlock to its stopper, funnel, bottle wand, and no-rinse cleanser, this complete kit is carefully crafted to yield a delectable brew
- Inspired by Our Love for Brewing: For 20 years, we've been making, serving, and savoring our own delicious mead; Now we're offering these honey wine making supplies so you can enjoy the same satisfying experience
- ✅ TRULY DELUXE! Here's what our Deluxe mead kit includes which others don't: 1. Hydrometer Kit (Hydrometer, beaker, brush, baster) for testing gravity and ABV levels (ensuring a finished fermentation). 2. 4 1L Fliptop Bottles for proper mead Storage. 3. 3 STAGES of PREMIUM quality YEAST Nutrients, critical for optimal fermentation.
- ✅ DID YOU GET A BROKEN BOTTLE? - Please contact our team at Blue Ox directly and we'll take care of it for you.
- ✅ ULTRA PREMIUM MEAD MAKING! - You'll be brewing in no time with our Deluxe honey wine brewing kit FULL of mead making supplies (including Mead Yeast for Mead Making, 1 Gallon Mead Jar, Hydrometer kit, extra yeast nutrients and Airlock & Racking Equipment).
- ✅ FOR BEGINNERS - Our Mead Making Kit was crafted for anyone, of any skill level. Just follow our step-by-step user guide to combine honey, water, yeast and the various other nutrients our kit includes. A perfect set for Nature Nate's Honey, GloryBee Honey, and your favorite local honey.
- ✅ ASSEMBLED IN THE USA. Blue Ox Brewing is an American company with a US based team, here to answer questions whenever you need us. We hope our mead kit leads to a good time and we'd love to hear about your experience.
- [WHAT'S INCLUDED] This comprehensive mead making kit includes everything needed for brewing - 1 Gallon Clear Glass Jug, 3pc Airlock, Rubber Stopper, Yeast Nutrient & Mead Yeast. Perfect for both beginners & experienced brewers seeking quality results
- [EASY TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS] Just add Honey and we’ll provide everything else! Our kits include all the essentials to brew your own honey wine in just 7 days but will improve in taste with age
- [SUSTAINABLE & REUSABLE] This 128 oz glass jug is a sustainable alternative to plastic containers, this glass jug can be reused countless times, reducing waste and your carbon footprint.
- [TRANSPARENT FOR EASY MONITORING] The clear glass allows you to easily monitor the contents, whether you’re fermenting, brewing, or simply storing liquids. So you’ll always know when your 1 gallon glass jug needs a refill.
- [OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU] At FastRack, we stand behind the quality of our products and the trust our customers place in us. Your experience matters. If your order arrives damaged or incomplete, reach out—we’ll make it right.
- Mead Kit Components— Yields 1 gallon of mead. Includes glass carboy, airlock and rubber stopper, mead yeast, yeast nutrients, flavoring ingredients, funnel, 3 ft of tubing with clamp, temperature tape, One Step No Rinse Cleanser, and a step-by-step recipe guide. Simply follow the instructions and enjoy your first homemade honey wine
- Flavor- In this mead recipe we use a yeast strand that fully attenuates the fermentable sugars in 2.5lbs of honey creating a dryer mead as apposed to a sweet mead. In addition to your choice of honey, we have included a Spice Melody packet to give your mead a flavor profile of sweet orange peel, bitter orange peel, corinader and a hit of cinnamon. Let it age and your flavor profile will blossom in complexity over time
- Perfect for Beginners — New to brewing? No worries. Our straightforward recipe guide takes you step-by-step through the entire mead-making process, from mixing your must to bottling your final creation. Easy enough for first-timers, yet satisfying enough to have you coming back for more. Refill packets are available
- Foodies & Hobbyist- Whether it's for a birthday, holiday, Father's Day, or just because, this DIY mead kit is a unique and memorable gift for anyone who loves craft beverages, homebrewing, or trying something new
- What Makes Ours Different- Our method gently warms the honey (never boiled) to enhance flavor and support a smoother fermentation—something most basic kits skip. This helps improve flavor complexity and create a cleaner, more refined finished mead
- Everything You Need to Brew Mead at Home: This complete mead making kit is perfect for beginners, with quality tools and thoughtful details designed for a smooth start. From fermentation to bottling, our clear step-by-step manual walks you through the entire process, making home brewing simple, educational, and fun, even for first timers
- Includes All Making Supplies: 1-gallon glass fermentation jar, EC-1118 yeast, yeast nutrient, airlock, rubber stopper, siphon, silicone funnel, hydrometer/alcohol meter with graduated cylinder, temperature label, user manual and 4 pcs 34oz storage bottles. this mead brewing kit provides a complete, hassle-free mead making experience for beginners (Free of honey and water)
- Reusable Brewing Kit: Unlike other brewing equipment, our mead kit is fully reusable. The included mead yeast and nutrients are pre-portioned for two batches. Just use half now and save the rest for next time. Even if you make a mistake, you get a second chance. From tools to bottles, this home brewing kit is designed for those who want to enjoy brewing over and over again
- Easy Sanitizing Tip: Clean wine making equipment are essential for safe brewing. This home brewing supplies DOES NOT INCLUDE DISINFECTANT, but we strongly recommend spraying all equipment with 75% alcohol before use. It’s safe, effective, leaves no residue, and helps ensure your mead ferments smoothly without contamination
- Includes Bottling & Monitoring Tools: We go beyond basic kits by including tools to help you monitor and bottle your brew properly. Use the hydrometer set to measure alcohol content, and temperature labels to track fermentation conditions for better results every time. If you receive a damaged product, please contact us and we will send you a free replacement within 24 hours
- Everything you need to start brewing in no time: Brew like Pro with our Deluxe Mead | Beer | Wine | Kombucha kit. Although the kit is aimed at beginner mead makers it can be used to make small batches of any fermented drink. Includes step by step Instructions Manual to make your first batch of mead easily. Just follow our easy step by step instructions.
- This kit comes with exclusive Bag in Box bottling system: No need to buy extra bottles. Just use the included 1 gallon bag and the box to create your own MEAD in Box. (you can always easily bottle your mead with the included Auto Siphon and a pro bottle filler). You need your own bottles as they are not included.
- Exclusive 1-gallon wide mouth jar with 2 lids: We use wide mouth jar for easy cleaning. No need for brushes and leaving unreachable spots dirty. You can even put it in Dishwasher if you have the space. We include one pre-drilled lid for airlock and one undrilled lid for storage or other uses when you are done with the Mead. Use it to store Jams, Dry goods, Liquid goods or anything else.
- Equipment and Additives only: You will need your own Honey. Our kits come with everything you need to make your own mead in just 4 weeks. All the supplies included: Wide Mouth 1 Gallon Jar, 2 Lids for Jar, Airlock, 2-1 Carboy Stopper, Auto- Siphon and Tubing, Yeast, Yeast Nutrient, No Rinse sanitizer.
- Deluxe kit includes extras like: Brush for Sampler and Auto siphon, Triple Scale Hydrometer, Pro Filler for easily filling bottles if you decide to use bottles instead of the bag in box system.
The Ultimate Mead Making Kit Buying Guide
Mead is one of the oldest drinks in history. It is made by fermenting honey with water and yeast. Today, you can make your own delicious honey wine at home with a mead making kit. These kits simplify the process for beginners. Follow this guide to pick the best kit for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a kit, look for complete equipment sets. A good kit includes a fermenting vessel, an airlock, and a siphon. You should also look for a hydrometer. This tool measures the sugar levels in your honey mixture. It helps you know when your mead is ready to drink.
Important Materials
- Glass Carboy: Glass is better than plastic because it does not scratch easily. Scratches can hide bacteria that ruin your batch.
- Sanitizer: Clean equipment is vital. Your kit must include food-grade sanitizer to keep unwanted germs away.
- Yeast Nutrients: Honey lacks the nutrients yeast needs to thrive. High-quality kits provide packets of yeast nutrients to ensure a healthy fermentation.
Factors that Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your mead depends on your ingredients. Always use raw, local honey if possible. Processed honey from grocery stores often lacks the enzymes needed for great flavor. Temperature control also changes the quality. Keep your fermenting vessel in a cool, dark place. Sunlight and high heat can stress the yeast and create “off” flavors.
User Experience and Use Cases
Most kits are designed for one-gallon batches. This size is perfect for beginners because it is manageable and easy to store. If you are a hobbyist, you will enjoy the simple process of mixing, waiting, and bottling. Mead making is a slow craft. You must have patience. A typical batch takes three to six months to age properly. This makes mead making a great hobby for those who enjoy slow living and DIY projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is mead hard to make?
A: No, it is quite simple. The kit provides the tools, and you provide the honey, water, and time.
Q: Does the kit include the honey?
A: Most starter kits only include equipment and additives. You will need to buy your own honey separately.
Q: How long does a batch take?
A: Fermentation usually takes a few weeks. However, aging the mead for several months makes it taste much smoother.
Q: Can I reuse the equipment?
A: Yes! The glass carboy and tools are reusable. Just clean and sanitize them thoroughly between batches.
Q: What kind of yeast should I use?
A: Use wine or mead-specific yeast. Bread yeast works, but it often leaves a sour or “yeasty” aftertaste.
Q: Do I need a lot of space?
A: Not at all. A one-gallon kit fits easily inside a kitchen cabinet or a dark closet.
Q: Is it dangerous if I mess up?
A: Mead making is very safe. If something goes wrong, the mead will just taste bad. It will not become toxic.
Q: Why is the airlock important?
A: The airlock lets CO2 escape while stopping oxygen and bugs from entering your bottle.
Q: Can I add fruit to my mead?
A: Yes. Adding fruit is called a “melomel.” It is a fun way to customize your flavors once you master the basics.
Q: How much mead does a kit produce?
A: Most beginner kits make about one gallon. This yields roughly five standard wine bottles.