Skip to main content

New Year, New Hobby: Box Brew Kits

Are you sitting at home in your post holiday splendor looking for something to do besides binge watch a series on Netflix or gorge yourself with more leftovers? Or are you simply looking for a new hobby to try in the new year? We have the solution for you: Box Brew Kits. Handmade near Boston in Waltham, Mass. from reclaimed wood — they look for materials in old barns, pallets, fences and local renovations — or rustic pine, and they come with everything you need to brew your own beer, mead and cider. The only thing that’s missing is a stockpot that can hold six to eight quarts of water.

So what makes a Box Brew Kit different from the seemingly endless amount of home brew kits on the market? According to their website, “Unlike most bulky kits currently available, a Box Brew Kit fits in your apartment and gives you everything you need to tackle the brewing process in classic style, even if you’ve never brewed before.” Sounds easy enough. On top of that, no two are alike, so you’re getting something that only you will have. You’ll also get instructions and diagrams, a brewers’ log, and more than 25 recipes that you can try out.

Recommended Videos

And what does it take to home brew your own beer, mead, or cider? First, you steep the grains for 60 minutes, and then you boil it and add hops. Next, cool the mixture and add yeast. Then, you let it ferment for one week. After that you bottle it and carbonate it for three to five days. Finally, there you have it! Bottles of beer, cider or mead that you brewed yourself! Your friends and family will be impressed. If you’re in the Boston area, you can even stop by the Box Brew Kits store in Waltham to pick up your kit. They’ll show you how it’s right, and they’ll even let you know what the outcome is supposed to taste like. How’s that for a new hobby?

For more information, visit boxbrewkits.com.

Ann Binlot
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…
BrewDog greets the Oktoberfest season with a proper Marzen lager
Oktoberfest beers

As one season transitions to another, we find ourselves shifting flavors and styles. It's an annual ritual, a shuffle from summer beer releases to fall cocktail recipes, long-sleeve shirts, and heavier wines. Because it's currently Oktoberfest season, we thought we'd share a fitting seasonal beer release.

The folks at BrewDog have released their annual Marzen lager, a German-style beer that's great with brats, lederhosen, and ice-cold steins. The beer comes in at 5.5% ABV and blends classic Munich and Vienna Malts. Caramel in color, it shows notes of bread and toast with a crisp finish.

Read more
Starbucks’ new plan: faster drinks, better spaces, and a bigger experience
Starbucks Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte

It's no secret that Starbucks' CEO, Brian Niccol, has been working hard to make significant changes to Starbucks operations. Earlier this year, Niccol announced the company would operate under new guidelines to bring faster service to customers and simplify its menu to streamline the coffee shop experience.

After about a year on the job, Niccol says the coffee chain is ahead of schedule in its efforts to turn operations around, but that the work is far from over. In a recent interview with FOX Business, Niccol stated that the company has made major strides on the fundamentals, continuing to work on innovations both on the menu and the rewards program. Looking ahead, Niccol says customers can expect to see another layer of growth in the coming months to years. After just one year with the company, Niccol has noted his confidence in where the company is heading.

Read more
How Brad Pitt crafts his ‘Perfetto’ coffee: Inside his new campaign with De’Longhi
Brad Pitt

Ever wonder what Brad Pitt’s mornings look like? They start with the best coffee—made right from the comfort of home. In the latest global campaign, “The Perfetto Instructions for Use”, Brad Pitt and a global leader in premium coffee machines, De'Longhi, demonstrate how easy it is to enjoy a 'perfetto' coffee experience using the brand's innovative, one-touch technology coffee and espresso machines.

The new ad campaign, directed by Academy Award-winner Taika Waititi, highlights the collaboration between Pitt and De'Longhi, using actor Riccardo Scamarcio’s voiceover to guide him through Italian and bring humor to the campaign. Here's a look inside this new 'Perfetto' coffee campaign with De'Longhi.

Read more