By Graham FisherUpdated November 2026
Shopping for a double IPA homebrew kit means balancing three things: how much fermentable sugar the recipe delivers, whether the kit includes the equipment you need, and how much hop character you actually get for the money in terms of aroma and bitterness. A double IPA runs higher in gravity and hop load than a standard IPA, so a kit that works for a pale ale may leave you short on alcohol, body or hop aroma. The five kits below were compared on listing contents, stated specifications, brand reputation and the patterns owners tend to describe in their reviews. None of them were brewed or tested by the author.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallNorthern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit w/Equipment, Chinook IPA, 5 GalView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for all-grain brewersMy Brew Supply Double IPA Brewing KitView on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for extract brewersDouble IPA Beer Ingredient KitView on Amazon - 4Best budget pickBrewer's Best Double IPA Premium IPA Beer Making Ingredient kitView on Amazon
- 5
Best for small batchesCraft A Brew – Oak Aged IPA – Beer Making Kit – Make Your Own Craft BeView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit w/Equipment, Chinook IPA, 5 Gal | Beginners who need equipment | Starter equipment plus Chinook-driven IPA ingredients for a 5-gallon batch |
| My Brew Supply Double IPA Brewing Kit | All-grain brewers | 12 lb American pale 2-row malt with centennial hops and American ale yeast |
| Double IPA Beer Ingredient Kit | Extract brewers | Ingredient-only kit for brewers with existing equipment |
| Brewer’s Best Double IPA Premium IPA Beer Making Ingredient kit | Brewers on a tight budget | Single-kit ingredient package aimed at a double IPA profile |
| Craft A Brew Oak Aged IPA Beer Making Kit | Small-batch trials | 1-gallon format with complete equipment and supplies |
Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit w/Equipment, Chinook IPA, 5 Gal
Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit w/Equipment, Chinook IPA, 5 Gal
Best for: Beginners who need equipment
This is the most complete option on the list for someone starting from zero. The listing bundles brewing equipment with Chinook-hopped IPA ingredients for a standard 5-gallon batch, so you do not have to source a fermenter, airlock and sanitizer separately before your first brew day.
Key specs
- Batch size: 5 gallons
- Style: IPA (Chinook hop character)
- Includes starter brewing equipment per the listing
Pros
- Equipment and ingredients come together, which removes guesswork for first-timers
- Standard 5-gallon batch size fits common fermenter and bottling setups
- Brand has a long track record with beginner homebrew kits
Cons
- Chinook-focused profile may read as more resinous than a citrus-forward double IPA
- Equipment quality is typically starter grade, so upgrades are common later
Bottom line: Pick this if you are new to brewing and want one box with everything for a 5-gallon double-style IPA.
My Brew Supply Double IPA Brewing Kit
My Brew Supply Double IPA Brewing Kit | 12lbs American Pale 2-Row Malt | 1lb Caramel Grain | 3oz Centennial Pellet Hops | American Ale Yeast | 5 Gallon Advanced All Grain Home Brewing
Best for: All-grain brewers
This kit is built around a substantial grain bill and is aimed at brewers who already own, or plan to buy, all-grain gear such as a mash tun and boil kettle. The 12 lb base malt load reflects the gravity a double IPA needs.
Key specs
- Base malt: 12 lb American pale 2-row
- Specialty malt: 1 lb caramel grain
- Hops: 3 oz Centennial pellets
- Yeast: American ale yeast
- Batch size: 5 gallons
Pros
- Grain bill matches the higher gravity a double IPA requires
- Centennial hops are a well-known source of citrus and floral aroma
- Clear ingredient list makes recipe tracking straightforward
Cons
- Requires all-grain equipment, which is a larger setup investment
- The 12 lb malt load means a heavier mash and more cleanup time
Bottom line: Best for brewers ready to step up to all-grain who want a double IPA recipe with the grain bill to match.
Double IPA Beer Ingredient Kit
Double IPA Beer Ingredient Kit
Best for: Extract brewers
This is an ingredient-only kit, so it suits someone who already owns a fermenter, bottling gear and a boil pot. It lets you brew a double IPA without buying a full all-grain system.
Key specs
- Format: ingredient kit (no equipment included per the listing name)
- Style: Double IPA
Pros
- Lower equipment requirement than all-grain kits
- Good fit for brewers who already have a working setup
- Simple one-box shopping for a double IPA recipe
Cons
- Requires you to source your own equipment
- Specific malt and hop quantities are not listed in the title, so check the product page before buying
Bottom line: A practical choice for brewers who already own equipment and want a straightforward double IPA ingredient pack.
Brewer’s Best Double IPA Premium IPA Beer Making Ingredient kit
Brewer's Best Double IPA Premium IPA Beer Making Ingredient kit
Best for: Brewers on a tight budget
Brewer’s Best is a long-established name in homebrew ingredient kits. This product is a budget-friendly way to try a double IPA profile without committing to a full equipment purchase.
Key specs
- Style: Double IPA (premium ingredient kit)
- Format: ingredient kit
Pros
- Recognized brand in the homebrew ingredient category
- Lower entry point for a double IPA recipe
- Works with a range of existing extract or partial-mash setups
Cons
- Ingredient-only, so equipment must be sourced separately
- Owners often recommend fresh hop purchases for the best aroma
Bottom line: A sensible starting point for brewers who want to test a double IPA recipe without a large spend on gear.
Craft A Brew – Oak Aged IPA – Beer Making Kit – Make Your Own Craft Beer – Complete Equipment and Supplies – Starter Home Brewing Kit – 1 Gallon
Craft A Brew – Oak Aged IPA – Beer Making Kit – Make Your Own Craft Beer – Complete Equipment and Supplies – Starter Home Brewing Kit – 1 Gallon
Best for: Small-batch trials
This 1-gallon kit is useful if you want to try a double-style IPA with oak character before committing to a full 5-gallon batch. It also suits apartment brewers with limited space.
Key specs
- Batch size: 1 gallon
- Style: Oak Aged IPA
- Includes complete equipment and supplies per the listing
Pros
- Small batch size keeps the cost of a learning mistake low
- Complete equipment included, so no separate purchases are needed
- Oak aging adds a distinct flavor dimension to hop-forward beer
Cons
- One-gallon yield means fewer bottles per brew day
- Oak-aged style is not a classic double IPA profile
Bottom line: Best for brewers who want to experiment in small volumes or have limited storage space.
Buying Guide
Batch size and gravity
A double IPA typically lands in the upper gravity range, so a kit should include enough fermentable sugar to reach that target. Check whether the listed batch size is 5 gallons or 1 gallon before you buy, since yield changes everything from grain quantity to bottling supplies.
Good picks for this: Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit, My Brew Supply Double IPA Brewing Kit
Kit type: all-grain, extract or ingredient-only
All-grain kits give you the most control over fermentable sugar and body, but they require a mash tun and larger boil capacity. Extract kits simplify the process. Ingredient-only kits assume you own the equipment already.
Good picks for this: My Brew Supply Double IPA Brewing Kit, Double IPA Beer Ingredient Kit
Hop variety and quantity
Hop character defines a double IPA. Look for the hop variety named in the listing and the quantity in ounces. Centennial and Chinook are common in American-style IPAs, while the total hop weight tells you how much bitterness and aroma to expect.
Good picks for this: My Brew Supply Double IPA Brewing Kit, Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit
Included equipment
If you are new, a kit with fermenter, airlock, sanitizer and bottling supplies saves time. Experienced brewers may prefer ingredient-only packs to avoid paying for duplicate gear.
Good picks for this: Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit, Craft A Brew Oak Aged IPA Beer Making Kit
Yeast and fermentation
American ale yeast is the usual choice for a clean, hop-forward double IPA. Confirm the yeast type is listed, and plan for controlled fermentation temperature, since high-gravity beers can run warm and produce off-flavors.
Good picks for this: My Brew Supply Double IPA Brewing Kit, Brewer’s Best Double IPA Premium IPA Beer Making Ingredient kit
Storage and shelf life
Hops lose aroma over time, so check the packaging date when possible and store unused hops cold and sealed. Ingredients bought in bulk may need to be used within a few months.
Good picks for this: Double IPA Beer Ingredient Kit, Brewer’s Best Double IPA Premium IPA Beer Making Ingredient kit
Skill level and time commitment
Extract brewing can be finished in a few hours. All-grain brewing often takes a full day, including mash, sparge and cleanup. Match the kit to the time you realistically have on a brew day.
Good picks for this: Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit, Craft A Brew Oak Aged IPA Beer Making Kit
FAQ
Can I make a double IPA with a regular beginner kit?
Many beginner kits are formulated for standard IPAs or pale ales, which have lower gravity. A double IPA usually needs more malt and hops, so check the grain bill and hop quantity. If they are noticeably lighter, you may need to add malt extract or extra hops.
What is the difference between an extract kit and an all-grain kit?
Extract kits use concentrated malt extract as the main sugar source, which is quicker and needs less equipment. All-grain kits require mashing grain to extract sugars yourself, which gives more control over body and fermentability but takes longer.
How much hop is typical in a double IPA kit?
Double IPA recipes commonly use several ounces of hops across the boil and dry-hop additions. Check each listing for the exact quantity, since amounts vary by recipe and brand.
Do I need to dry hop?
Dry hopping adds aroma without adding much bitterness, and it is a common technique in hop-forward beers. If your kit includes a dry hop addition, follow the timing in the instructions. Skipping it usually reduces aroma noticeably.
How long should a double IPA ferment?
Fermentation time depends on yeast, temperature and gravity. Many brewers allow two or more weeks in primary before packaging, and high-gravity beers often need longer. Use a hydrometer to confirm the final gravity is stable across two readings a few days apart.
Is a 1-gallon kit good for learning?
A 1-gallon kit is a low-commitment way to practice sanitation, fermentation and bottling. The tradeoff is fewer bottles per brew day, so it suits experimenting more than stocking a fridge.
Conclusion
For most beginners, the Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit is the most complete single box, since it includes equipment and a 5-gallon batch. Brewers ready for all-grain will find the My Brew Supply Double IPA Brewing Kit better matched to double IPA gravity. Extract and ingredient-only brewers with existing gear should look at the Double IPA Beer Ingredient Kit or the Brewer’s Best option. The Craft A Brew 1-gallon kit suits small-batch experiments. Check batch size, hop quantities and included equipment against your setup before you buy.
Sources
- Product safety guidance relevant to brewing equipment and bottle handling (cpsc.gov)
- Background information on malt, barley and grain standards (usda.gov)
- University-backed extension resources on fermentation and home brewing practices (extension.org)
Related reading
- Hazy IPA Homebrew Kit: 7 Steps to a Juicy Batch at Home
- 7 Best IPA Homebrew Starter Kits for Beginners in 2026
- Top 5 Christmas Ale Homebrew Kits with Seasonal Spice Flavor
- Sanke Tap to Homebrew Conversion Kit Review: Is It Worth It?
- Northern Brewer Homebrew Starter Kit: Step-by-Step Setup Guide
About Graham Fisher
Graham Fisher is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our home brewing guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
