Picobrew - what do you think of this?

[Jezzer]

Hi folks

First post on the forum, so please be gentle

Having done my first brewing course recently (only brewed from kits, previously) I've been Googling and stumbled across this http://www.picobrew.com, which is scheduled to launch in the autumn.

What thoughts do y'all have? Is this a welcome revolution, freeing up the home brewer to focus on perfecting their recipes and saving time on all the chores, or is it flying in the face of nature?

Thoughts welcome.

Cheers
Jezzer

[floydmeddler]

Tiny batches by the looks of things.

Nah... Takes the 'craft' out of craft brewing. F*ck that!

[Jim]

That kind of thing isn't for me - batches too small to be worth all the effort, and doubtful brewing practices if it's anything like similar machines.

Welcome to JBK by the way!

[subfaction]

sounds interesting, I like the idea of setting it and off it goes, the small batch size would make experimentation more manageable, and would likely be a nice half way house for those interested in AG without the time to dedicate to getting the equipment and time to brew.

[beerlover1983]

Sounds great love to see it in action and actual homebrewers review it but price is a killer for me for that money id go for a 20lr braumeister

[subfaction]

with you on the BM... plus it's US mains only... still I like ideas like this if it gets people into the hobby who wouldn't otherwise jump in, and we all know what happens once the bug bites!

[aamcle]

There is that and one from HighGravity. Com plus Homebrewbuilder in the Uk are experimenting with a similar system.

You can build your own for a fraction of the price, there are plenty of details on the net.

I built one that does 12 - 15 litres into the FV and I'm working on another that will do 25+ litres.

ATB. Aamcle

[beerlover1983]

There is that and one from HighGravity. Com plus Homebrewbuilder in the Uk are experimenting with a similar system.

You can build your own for a fraction of the price, there are plenty of details on the net.

I built one that does 12 - 15 litres into the FV and I'm working on another that will do 25+ litres.

ATB. Aamcle

Yeah i got my eye on homebrewbuilder for that one would love a out the box option

[sbond10]

Are you referring to homebrew builders biab thing or summat else ? Love to see the price on the biab cooker

[6470zzy]

Hi folks

First post on the forum, so please be gentle

Having done my first brewing course recently (only brewed from kits, previously) I've been Googling and stumbled across this http://www.picobrew.com, which is scheduled to launch in the autumn.

What thoughts do y'all have? Is this a welcome revolution, freeing up the home brewer to focus on perfecting their recipes and saving time on all the chores, or is it flying in the face of nature?

Thoughts welcome.

Cheers
Jezzer

I think that the thing is too expensive

[gibbiem]

Tiny batches by the looks of things.

Nah... Takes the 'craft' out of craft brewing. F*ck that!

Here here. Craft beer is about individualism and doing things a bit different. Automation is what mass manufacturers use

[Jezzer]

Thanks for inputs everyone. A few comments...

1. They do a European (240v) version, at least one is planned (neither the 110v nor 240v version is quite available yet)
2. Small quantity? I thought it did 5 gals (OK US gallons, what's that 5x 3.5l?). I make that about 30 pints, before any losses. OK not huge but if it's less effort...
3. Craft beer - my view is that it takes away the drudgery of cleaning/sterilising/struggling with temperature control etc and allows the brewer to focus on creating recipes that work for them. In that respect isn't it supportive of craft brewing?
4. Should require a lot less space than the usual home-made strung-together sprawling home brewing equipment, which would be a relief for many (and their wives!) I suspect.

Thanks for the suggestions of alternatives. Will take a look.

[Jim]

2. Small quantity? I thought it did 5 gals (OK US gallons, what's that 5x 3.5l?). I make that about 30 pints, before any losses. OK not huge but if it's less effort...

Where did you get that info from? I can't find any specifications at all - can you give us a link? The equipment doesn't look anywhere near 5 gallons, even US ones.

This has come up before, and I'm extremely sceptical of the capabilities of the gear - everything including the boil seems to done in one pot, without removing the grain - is that right? That video is just full of a load of psuedo-technical mumbo jumbo aimed (it seems to me) at the non-technical, non-brewing gadget geek.

[Cully]

Is this the thing that was on Kickstarters? It looks absolutely ideal for someone like me, who would have loved to continue to brew and grow in to all grain but cant lug heavy weights about.

[chris2012]

I'm not sure I entirely agree with 'Nah... Takes the 'craft' out of craft brewing. F*ck that!'

Personally I think the majority of creativity in brewing comes from designing the recipe, the rest is largely an industrial process.

I like the idea automated hop additions personally, and think it's something I'd like to imitate.