Mr. Beer

[EL TIZZO]

Here are a few alternatives-

Brew 1 of them up using Mr. Beer directions (including Booster). Brew another one up (same recipe kit) using
real pale LME instead of Booster (if they still make that shit) and using dechlorinated water, etc.
Then compare the two side by side.

Or, brew them per directions and enter them into a competion (for shits and grins).
Or, brew them up and doctor the shit out of them and enter THOSE (2 West Coast Pale Ale kits in the same size wort actually makes a decent IPA if you add some flavor hops and dry hop it).

Or, give them out to your buddies and have a "teach your buddies how to brew day" to get them into brewing if they aren't already into it.

Or, do an "Iron Mr. Beer" contest with a couple of your buddies to see who can make the best version of the same recipe.

HTH-

this is good shit too

[Captain Fleshbeard]

Those are good suggestions bdawg. They are all different styles otherwise i would combine them. I think i might do one batch in the 5 gallon just to see how it comes out. I'll look on craigslist for smaller used carboys. Don't wanna invest a lot of money into these as i know it won't be as good. I can definitely pick up a few LME's and doctor them up a bit. I'll have my roommate do the golden lager and blonde ale, he's still drinking bud light so that won't be too far away from his tastes.

[Stinkfist]

Not sure investing in a 3 gallon fermenter is wasting money, I have 2 of them and use them for meads or sour beers or cider or for some recipe I just want to try out I am not sure of

You will def find other uses

[Ozwald]

Not sure investing in a 3 gallon fermenter is wasting money, I have 2 of them and use them for meads or sour beers or cider or for some recipe I just want to try out I am not sure of

You will def find other uses

3 gallon carboys are the shit!! I have 2 & wish I had 5 more of them. They're great for the mead/cider thing, plus big starters. You can step up 1 vial into several 5 gallon pitches, or just for a big batch. They are perfect for the side by side yeast experiments I like to do. Even if you don't go the same route, I'm sure you'll find some sort of handy use for them.

[East Side Brewer]

I too received a Mr. Beer kit for Happy-B-Day-8lb-6oz-baby-Jesus-Day.

I'm cool with it, as it was the Alt, a style I haven't brewed before, and probably wouldn't have anytime soon unless I got a kit like this.

Plan is to basically do a 1/2 mash, 1/2 Mr. Beer to get to my usual 5G batch size, suppose you could do the same by stepping up the kit with LME/DME. Up the hops accordingly, of course.

Though I must say, I have been exploring the whole smaller batch philosophy, and a 3G carboy does sound tempting..