Northern Brewer
Northern Brewer is a privately held, direct-to-consumer homebrewing and winemaking supply retailer founded in 1993 and headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, serving hobbyist brewers, winemakers, and specialty fermentation enthusiasts with starter kits, recipe kits, equipment, ingredients, and recurring subscriptions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersSaint Paul, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Northern Brewer does
Northern Brewer, Inc. is a privately held, direct-to-consumer homebrewing and winemaking supply retailer headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, operating since 1993. The company sells comprehensive starter kits (1-gallon to premium stainless steel 5-gallon systems ranging from $79.99 to $899.99), recipe kits across beer, wine, cider, mead, hard seltzer, and specialty categories, brewing and kegging equipment, and consumable ingredients (grains, hops, yeast, malt extracts, bottles, caps). It also runs recurring subscription services — the Beer Recipe Kit SUDscription and Wine Cellar Subscription ($149.99 per shipment) — and operates Northern Brewer University, an online video course platform alongside a maintained YouTube channel, blog, and community forum that collectively form a content-led funnel.
The business model is product-led e-commerce with a community-led growth overlay: Northern Brewer owns the full customer relationship through its own storefront at northernbrewer.com, with free standard shipping over $125 and no third-party retail or physical store presence disclosed. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware/kit sales (kegs, fermenters, starter kits) and recurring consumable demand (recipe kit subscriptions, replacement ingredients, bottling supplies), supported by an educational ecosystem that drives organic acquisition and repeat purchase. Customer segments span home beer brewers (primary), home winemakers, specialty fermentation enthusiasts, and gift buyers, served through curated collections across 276 best-selling products and a multi-channel content and email marketing approach. The company has a headcount in the 51–100 range and has operated continuously for over 30 years under founder Christopher Farley.
Northern Brewer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Northern Brewer
- Legal name
- Northern Brewer, Inc.
- Website
- https://northernbrewer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Northern Brewer is a privately held, direct-to-consumer homebrewing and winemaking supply retailer founded in 1993 and headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, serving hobbyist brewers, winemakers, and specialty fermentation enthusiasts with starter kits, recipe kits, equipment, ingredients, and recurring subscriptions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Northern Brewer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies
- NAICS
- Breweries (31212), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532), Wineries (312130)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Alcohol-Free & Low-Alcohol Beer/Wine/Spirits Production (AFAFAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Northern Brewer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Paul
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Northern Brewer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales - Starter Kits: One-time sale of comprehensive homebrewing starter kits ranging from entry-level 1-gallon kits to premium stainless steel brewing systems. Kits include equipment and recipe ingredients for making beer at home.
- Product Sales - Equipment & Ingredients: Ongoing sales of brewing equipment, ingredients (grains, hops, yeast, malt extract), kegging/bottling supplies, and accessories. Repeat purchase revenue from consumables and equipment upgrades.
- Beer Recipe Kit SUDscription: Recurring subscription delivering curated beer recipe kits monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. Prepaid and pay-as-you-go options available. Includes free shipping on every order.
- Wine Cellar Subscription: Recurring wine recipe kit subscription delivering 6-gallon wine kits at customer-selected frequency (monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly). Charged at $149.99 per shipment.
- Video Courses: Homebrewing online video courses from Northern Brewer University. Educational content for skill development across brewing techniques.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 1 Gallon Craft Beer Making Kit - $79.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 5 Gallon Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit - $149.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ultimate Craft Brewery in a Box - $899.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 5 Gallon Ball Lock Cornelius Keg - $139.98 (36% off regular $219.99) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Beer Recipe Kit SUDscription - Recurring delivery |
| Subscription | Monthly | Wine Cellar Subscription - $149.99 per shipment |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Northern Brewer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Northern Brewer is a direct-to-consumer retailer of homebrewing and winemaking supplies, selling complete starter kits, recipe kits, brewing equipment, kegging and bottling supplies, and raw ingredients (grains, hops, yeast, malt extracts). The product line spans beer, wine, cider, mead, hard seltzer, and non-alcoholic beverage kits from entry-level 1-gallon sets through premium stainless steel systems. Recurring revenue is generated through beer and wine recipe kit subscriptions, and the company monetizes education through online video courses under Northern Brewer University.
Product overview
Northern Brewer is a comprehensive homebrewing and winemaking supply company offering an extensive portfolio of products for craft beverage enthusiasts. The core offering consists of starter kits ranging from entry-level 1-gallon setups ($79.99) to premium stainless steel systems ($899.99), paired with recipe kits in beer, wine, cider, mead, hard seltzer, and specialty categories. The product line encompasses brewing equipment (fermenters, kettles, burners, wort chillers, conical fermenters), kegging and bottling supplies, and ingredients (grains, hops, yeast, malt extracts). Northern Brewer operates on a subscription model through its Beer Recipe Kit SUDscription and Wine Cellar Subscription services. Educational resources include Northern Brewer University video courses and a free expert knowledge base with blog articles and tutorials. The company has served the homebrewing community since 1993.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Northern Brewer University: Online video courses for homebrewing education covering topics from beginner to advanced levels
- SUDscription
- Wine Cellar Subscription
Products and services
- Craft Beer Making Kit with Siphonless Fermenter - 1 Gallon Complete 1-gallon homebrewing starter kit featuring a siphonless fermenter that simplifies brewing by eliminating the need for siphoning. Includes equipment, ingredients, and choice of recipe kit (Caribou Slobber, Kama Citra, American Wheat, or Irish Red Ale). Priced at $79.99 for beginner home brewers.
- Craft Beer Making Gift Set - Kama Citra Session IPA Premium gift-oriented 1-gallon homebrewing kit including siphonless fermenter, Kama Citra Session IPA recipe kit, 12 bottles, capper, caps, personalized bottle labels, and two Northern Brewer pint glasses. Designed for gift-giving to homebrewing enthusiasts.
- Brew Share Enjoy Homebrew Starter Kit All-inclusive 5-gallon homebrewing starter kit featuring a 5-gallon stainless steel brew kettle, siphonless 6.5-gallon fermenter, and choice of recipe kit (Block Party Amber Ale, Chinook IPA, or Hank's Hefeweizen). Produces approximately 2 cases of beer. Priced at $149.99 and has accumulated 1,217 customer reviews.
- Ultimate Craft Brewery in a Box - Stainless Steel Beer Making Starter Kit Premium stainless steel homebrewing kit featuring Darkstar 2.0 burner (65,000 BTU), 8-gallon MegaPot with ball valve and thermometer, Silver Serpent stainless steel immersion wort chiller, and Reactor stainless steel conical fermenter. Includes Fresh Squished IPA recipe kit. Priced at $899.99 for serious home brewers seeking professional-grade equipment.
- New 5 Gallon Ball Lock Cornelius (Corny) Beer Keg - Dual Rubber Handle Stainless steel ball-lock Cornelius keg with dual rubber handles, pressure relief valve, dimensions of 25 inches tall by 10 inches in diameter. Protects homebrew from light and oxygen, keeping beer fresh for extended storage. Currently promoted at $139.98 (regular $219.99).
- Reactor Stainless Steel Conical Fermenter Professional-grade stainless steel conical fermenter designed for effortless transfers, easy bottling, and producing clear beer. Features ports for temperature control and easy cleanup. Aimed at serious home brewers upgrading from basic fermenters.
- Beer Recipe Kits Foolproof beer recipe kits containing all fresh ingredients needed to brew beer at home. Available in styles including IPA, Porter/Stout, German, Belgian, Pale Ale, Wheat, Lager, and specialty varieties, in extract, all-grain, and non-alcoholic formats. Priced from $39.99 to $59.99.
- Beer Recipe Kit SUDscription Automatic recurring delivery service for curated beer recipe kits selected by Northern Brewer's brewmasters. Customers choose extract or all-grain, delivery frequency of 1, 2, or 3 months, with free shipping on every order. Includes seasonal and global beer styles with all-inclusive kits featuring fresh ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Prepaid and pay-as-you-go options available.
- Wine Cellar Subscription Monthly wine recipe kit delivery subscription allowing customers to explore different wine styles from around the world. Each kit includes ingredients to make 6 gallons of wine with step-by-step instructions. Delivery frequency options include monthly, every 2 months, or every 3 months at $149.99 per shipment.
- Wine Making Starter Kits Wine making kits available in 6-gallon and 1-gallon sizes, including Master Vintner wine starter kits and Fresh Harvest fruit wine kits. Each kit includes specialized winemaking equipment and ingredients for first batches.
- Wine Recipe Kits Wine kits from RJS Craft Winemaking, Winexpert, and Master Vintner brands offering wines from around the world. Includes varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Riesling, and fruit wines. Each kit produces 6 US gallons unless otherwise specified.
- Kegging Equipment & Systems Complete kegging supplies including kegging systems, ball-lock Cornelius kegs, mini kegs, Keezers, Kegerators, draft towers, jockey boxes, gas regulators, CO2 cylinders, and beverage tubing for homebrew dispensing.
- Bottling Equipment Beer and wine bottling supplies including bottles, growlers, swing top bottles, bottle cappers, caps, corks, closures, bottle fillers, labels, and filtration systems for homebrew packaging.
- Brewing Ingredients Complete range of brewing ingredients including malted grains (base, caramel, crystal, roasted), malt extracts (dry and liquid), hops (pellet, cryo, rhizomes), beer yeast (dry and liquid from Fermentis, Imperial, Omega, Wyeast, White Labs), additives, sugars, fruits, and oak products.
- Specialty Fermentation Kits Non-traditional fermentation products including Hard Cider kits, Mead (honey wine) kits, Hard Seltzer kits, Ranch Water kits, Non-Alcoholic beer kits, and Distilling kits with Still Spirits brand.
- Northern Brewer University - Homebrew Video Courses Online video courses for homebrewing education including Homebrewing 101, Kegging 101, and Homebrewing 301: All-Grain Brewing. Structured learning programs taught by Northern Brewer's expert brewmasters, sold as one-time purchases.
Quantifiable outcome
- Making beer at home is described as 'as easy as making mac 'n' cheese'
Companies that use Northern Brewer
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Northern Brewer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Northern Brewer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Northern Brewer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MoreBeer!: MoreBeer! is one of the largest U.S. homebrewing supply retailers, offering beer/wine equipment, ingredients, recipe kits, and kegging systems through DTC e-commerce. Directly comparable to Northern Brewer on product breadth, target customer (home beer/wine hobbyists), and revenue model (one-time kits plus consumables).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Northern Brewer social profiles
Digital presenceNorthern Brewer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Northern Brewer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Northern Brewer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Northern Brewer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Northern Brewer
What does Northern Brewer do?
Northern Brewer is a direct-to-consumer retailer of homebrewing and winemaking supplies, selling complete starter kits, recipe kits, brewing equipment, kegging and bottling supplies, and raw ingredients (grains, hops, yeast, malt extracts). The product line spans beer, wine, cider, mead, hard seltzer, and non-alcoholic beverage kits from entry-level 1-gallon sets through premium stainless steel systems. Recurring revenue is generated through beer and wine recipe kit subscriptions, and the company monetizes education through online video courses under Northern Brewer University.
Is Northern Brewer a public or private company?
Northern Brewer is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Northern Brewer founded?
Northern Brewer was founded in 1993. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Northern Brewer based?
Northern Brewer is headquartered in Saint Paul, United States, in the North America region.
How does Northern Brewer make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Product Sales - Starter Kits are the primary driver. The others are product Sales - Equipment & Ingredients, beer Recipe Kit SUDscription, wine Cellar Subscription and video Courses.
Who are Northern Brewer's main competitors?
MoreBeer! is listed as a direct peer.
Does Northern Brewer have an API?
No public API is recorded for Northern Brewer.
What industry is Northern Brewer in?
Northern Brewer's product category is Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAAAA, Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing, with a secondary code of CRADAIAA, Beer Brewing & Brands. Its NAICS code is 31212 and its SIC code is 2082.