Sales of home brew kits are soaring as thrifty drinkers try to save cash on a pint.

With increasing numbers of people staying at home to save money, sellers of brew-your-own beer and cider say they are heading for some of their best-ever sales.

Kits cost from £7 and produce up to 40 pints.

After buying equipment needed to produce the brew – plastic fermenting tubs and syphons – DIY can cost as little as 19p a pint.

While the stereotypical image of home brew is middle-aged men brewing beer in their shed, enthusiasts reckon it interests people from all walks of life.

Anne Saunders runs Matchless Home Brewing Company, in Belvoir Road, Coalville.

She said: "In the past three weeks or so we have had a lot of new brewers in buying equipment.

"Lots of people are asking advice or starting up again, having given up years ago.

"Last year was awful. I was turning grey with worry because it was very quiet, but this is much better.

"I think it's the recession. People still want to have a drink and cigarette and they can do so at home.

"You don't get grumpy people who make their own beer."

Wilkinson Plus, in Wigston, has seen a 60 per cent rise in sales of home brew kits in the past three months.

Store manager Robert Woodford said: "A certain number of people will always come in and buy the kits but, looking at our sales figures, new customers must be coming in."

Maxine Ellis, of Home Brew World, in Earl Shilton, said: "I have noticed an increase.

"A lot more people are making it at home now because it's cheaper than going to the pub."

Raj Vaitha, of Sunlit Chemist, in Syston, sells home brew kits and accessories.

He said: "Sales of home brew kits have gone up slightly.

"We get a few people coming in just for advice – it's a passion for some people."

Fans said advances in technology mean flat-tasting home brews were a thing of the past – but others said it was difficult to get the perfect product.

With sales up by 60 per cent in some shops, the Leicester Mercury plans to taste-test one of the 19p-a-pint brews.

Anne will be brewing Mercury Credit Crunch beer and when it is ready to drink we will invite experts to tell us whether the home brew can compete with the professionals.

Keith Williams, chairman of the Leicester branch of Campaign for Real Ale Camra, said he would be delighted to take part in a taste-test once the Mercury's beer was ready for drinking.

He said: "I used to home brew, but I gave up because there was too much washing and sterilising involved.

"It's difficult to get quality materials, but I can understand people want to try cheaper options."

Can you come up with a better name for the Leicester Mercury's credit crunch beer? If so, e-mail:

jennyousbey@ leicester mercury.co.uk