It will smell. I have done about 12 batches. I use to do it all the time in college. I did the Mr.beer thing for most of them and then try to experiment. Most of my friends would come over and we'd kill off the 5 gallons in a weekend or 2. There was a store by best buy in brookfield that carried everything you needed to start. I think I spent about $150. It's fun but theres alot of clean up.