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MR. BEER KIT INSTRUCTIONS

How to Brew Beer with Your Mr. Beer Kit

Follow our step-by-step guide and brew your first batch with confidence.

  • Beginner-friendly step-by-step flow
  • Follow along with video
  • Designed for brew day on mobile

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Brew Your Beer in 6 Simple Steps

Follow each step in order. This guide matches the printed instructions included with your kit, with extra tips to help first-time brewers.

What’s Included

  • 2-gallon keg fermenter & lid
  • Spigot, washer & nut
  • Can of brewing extract
  • Yeast packet under the lid
  • No-rinse cleanser
  • Bottles, caps & labels (Complete Kits only)
  • Carbonation drops (Complete Kits only)

What You’ll Need

  • 2 gallons of cold water
  • 4-quart or larger pot
  • Measuring cup
  • Can opener
  • Plastic spoon or whisk
  • Large bowl
  • Bottles, caps, and carbonation plan (Starter Kits only)

STEP 1

Assemble the Spigot

5–10 min

Before brewing, assemble your spigot and check your keg for leaks.

  • Place the washer on the spigot with the beveled side facing the outside of the keg
  • Insert the spigot through the hole in the keg
  • Screw the nut onto the spigot from inside the keg
  • Hand tighten gently — do not over tighten
  • Fill the keg completely with water and let it sit for 15–30 minutes to check for leaks
Watch out: The beveled side of the washer should be on the outside of the keg. If your keg leaks, re-check the washer placement and hand-tighten the nut.

STEP 2

Clean & Sanitize

10–15 min

Sanitizing is the key to great-tasting beer — and it’s quick and easy.

  • Fill your keg with warm water to line 1
  • Add half the cleanser packet and stir until dissolved
  • Save the remaining half of the cleanser packet for bottling day
  • Close the lid and swirl to coat all interior surfaces, including the underside of the lid
  • Let sit for at least 2 minutes, then swirl again
  • Run solution through the spigot briefly
  • Pour the remaining solution into a bowl and place your spoon, can opener, and measuring cup inside
  • Do not rinse or dry your keg or utensils
Why this matters: Sanitizing prevents contamination and protects your beer’s flavor.
Watch out: If it touches your beer, sanitize it first.

STEP 3

Brew Your Beer

30 min + 10–14 days

This is where your beer comes to life. You’ll make the wort, add yeast, and let fermentation begin.

  • Remove the yeast packet from under the lid of the extract can
  • Place the unopened extract can in hot tap water for about 10 minutes
  • Add 4 cups of water to a 4-quart or larger pot
  • If Booster is included, stir it into the water until dissolved
  • Bring the water to a boil, then remove from heat
  • Open the extract can from the bottom and stir the extract into the pot until fully dissolved
  • Fill the keg with cold water to line 1
  • Pour the wort into the keg, then top off to line 2 with more cold water
  • Mix vigorously with your sanitized spoon or whisk
  • Sprinkle the yeast packet into the keg and close the lid — do not stir
  • Store the keg in a cool, dark place between 68–78°F, ideally 70–72°F
  • Let it ferment for 10–14 days
Why this matters: Fermentation is when yeast turns the wort into beer.
Watch out: Do not open the keg during fermentation. Activity may slow after a few days, but the yeast is still working.
Not seeing bubbles?

That’s normal. Fermentation does not always show visible signs. Give it time and trust the process.

STEP 4

Bottle Your Beer

20–30 min

After fermentation, your beer is ready to bottle when it tastes like flat beer — not sweet.

  • After 10 days, pour a small sample from the spigot into a clean glass
  • If it tastes like flat beer, it is ready to bottle
  • If it tastes sweet, let it ferment a few more days and test again
  • Do not leave beer in the fermenter longer than 21 days total
  • Clean and sanitize your bottles and bottling equipment using the remaining cleanser
  • Do not rinse after sanitizing
  • Add carbonation drops or sugar to each bottle
  • Fill bottles at an angle with the spigot nozzle inside the bottle to reduce foaming
  • Fill to about 1 inch from the top
  • Cap tightly and check the seal on each bottle
Why this matters: Proper bottling helps your beer carbonate evenly and condition the right way.
Watch out: If carbonation drops are not included with your kit, use table sugar or Mr. Beer Carbonation Drops according to the recommended priming amounts.

STEP 5

Carbonate & Condition

2–3 weeks

This is where your beer develops carbonation and flavor.

  • Store bottles upright at room temperature
  • Keep bottles out of direct sunlight
  • Keep bottles between 70–78°F for best carbonation
  • Let sit for at least 14 days
  • Refrigerate for 48 hours before drinking
Brewmaster Tip: Chill one bottle for 48 hours and try it. If you want smoother flavor, leave the rest at room temperature for another week before chilling.

STEP 6

Clean Your Equipment

10–15 min

Your beer is bottled — now clean your equipment so your next batch tastes just as good.

  • Remove and disassemble the spigot assembly from the keg
  • Wash all parts with warm water using Oxygen Brewery Wash or clear, unscented liquid soap
  • Use a clean, soft cloth
  • Rinse everything thoroughly with warm water
  • Do not use scouring pads, wire brushes, abrasive sponges, or abrasive cleaners
  • Clean and rinse bottles immediately after use
Watch out: Abrasive cleaners can scratch plastic surfaces and create places for bacteria to hide.

Congratulations — You Brewed Your Own Beer! 🍺

Enjoy it, share it, and start thinking about your next batch. Once you’re ready, explore new refills and recipes to keep brewing.

You’re Brewing 🍺

Nice work. Here’s what happens next as your beer comes to life.

Today Brew Day
Days 1–14 Fermentation
Days 14–21 Bottling
+2 Weeks Carbonation
Final Enjoy 🎉
Totally normal: Cloudy beer, bubbling, and sediment are all part of the process.
Be patient: Your beer will taste better if you give it enough time to condition.

Something Not Looking Right?

Don’t worry — most brewing issues are normal and easy to fix.

My beer looks cloudy

Cloudiness is completely normal, especially early on. It often clears during fermentation or after chilling.

I don’t see bubbles during fermentation

Not all fermentation produces visible bubbles. As long as you followed the steps and timing, your yeast is likely still working.

There’s stuff floating in my beer

This is usually yeast or protein — both are natural parts of the brewing process.

My beer smells weird

Some sulfur or yeast smells are normal during fermentation. These typically fade over time.

My beer isn’t carbonating

Make sure bottles are sealed and stored at room temperature. Give it more time — carbonation can take a couple of weeks.

There’s sediment in my bottle

This is normal. It’s leftover yeast. Pour slowly and leave the sediment behind if desired.

Still have questions?

Contact Support

FAQ

Frequently Asked Brewing Questions

New to brewing? These are the most common questions people ask before, during, and after their first batch.

How long does it take to brew beer with a Mr. Beer kit?

Brew day usually takes less than an hour. After that, fermentation and carbonation take time, so your full batch may be ready in a few weeks depending on the recipe and conditions.

Do I need to sanitize everything?

Yes. Anything that touches your beer after brewing should be properly sanitized. This helps prevent contamination and protects flavor.

Do I need to boil the beer?

Follow the instructions for your specific kit or refill. Some Mr. Beer processes are simplified for beginners, so always use the directions included with your product.

Why does my beer look cloudy?

Cloudiness can be normal during brewing, fermentation, or after bottling. Many beers clear with time, chilling, and careful pouring.

How do I know when fermentation is done?

Fermentation usually follows the timeline in your instructions, but visual signs can vary. Use the recommended wait time for your recipe, and do not rely only on bubbles.

Why is there sediment in the bottle?

Sediment is usually leftover yeast from bottle conditioning. It is normal. Pour slowly and leave the last bit in the bottle if you prefer a clearer glass.

How long should I wait before drinking my beer?

Your beer needs time to ferment, carbonate, and condition. Even when it is technically ready, a little extra time can improve flavor.

What if I make a mistake?

Most first-time brewing mistakes are minor. Homebrewing is forgiving, and many batches turn out great even when the process is not perfect.