Developing a List of Aftermarket Brewing Automation Software and/or Devices

[klaiguy]

I’ve been researching what aftermarket options are available for brewing automation recently as I am planning for an upgrade to my brewing setup. There seems to be a lot of information regarding the small appliance-sized brewing devices out there like the Pico and Brewie, however these options (with one exception) do not seem to provide aftermarket solutions for automating existing breweries. There are aftermarket options out there, but I quickly came to realize that there does not appear to be a comprehensive list (at least that I could find) of products out there for this purpose. In trying to go about researching the options, the obvious first step is to know what the available product options are – hence the thought behind starting this post.

I have collected a list below of all products I know about that are currently being maintained in some capacity. If anyone knows of any other products, please advise. But to clarify, the list is not for systems aimed at fermentation control or general temperature control (although they may be able to do this also) but more for brewing automation including the processes of mashing, sparging and boiling. They can be systems which are software or microcontroller based, and which provide partial or full automation control, but should be able to be integrated into custom brew systems.

Perhaps once the list is completed, a comparison chart could be generated. Otherwise, links to review or comparison discussions could be useful. Any particularly useful thoughts, opinions or observations on these or other systems are also welcome.

I know I have already found this process informative, and perhaps it might help someone else also.


- Brewtroller
An Arduino-based system with optional website and app control and process display.
https://brewtroller.com

- Embedded Control Concepts BCS-460 and 462
An embedded hardware/software solution with website and app control and process display
https://www.embeddedcc.com

- BruControl
A new windows-only software process control solution with website-based control and process display.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=624198
http://brucontrol.com

- Strangebrew Eisenore
A raspberry pi solution for process control and display
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=396627
https://dougedey.github.io/SB_Elsinore_Server/

- BrewPi (mashing not yet officially supported)
For about the last two years, BrewPi has seemed to be on the brink of offering a brewing control and display solution based on the spark core chip with touchscreen display and website based process monitoring. Currently, mashing is possible with workarounds but not officially supported.
https://www.brewpi.com
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=567433

- CraftBeerPi
A raspberry pi solution for process control and display
http://web.craftbeerpi.com
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=569497

- Grainfather Connect (seems like it could be adapted to an existing system)
This is the new hardware control system for the grainfather which offers Bluetooth connectivity to a proprietary mobile app for process control and monitoring.
https://www.grainfather.com/shop/connect-control-box.html

- Brew-Boss Controller
An embedded microcontroller-based solution with mobile app connectivity for process control and monitoring.
http://www.brew-boss.com/category-s/190.htm

- Brewbot Core (as part of their kicksterter campaign)
The brains behind the brewbot are now available off kickstarter but little information is available.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cargo/brewbot-the-smart-brewing-appliance

- BrewManacEx
An Arduino-based controller software founded on the now defunct Open ArdBir project.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=596907
https://github.com/vitotai/BrewManiacEsp8266

-Brewbot Control Box
A Raspberry Pi and Arduino controller for a home brewery (not the other Brew Bot).
http://www.brewbot.ca/index.html#controlbox

-Alva controller
A hardware based heater and pump controller
http://www.alva-control.eu

 

[BrunDog]

Disclaimer: I am biased, so take my feedback with that in mind.

This is a great post - I like the line of thinking and agree the options are confusing and scattered. I think you have done a good job amalgamating the choices.

I would go on to agree that a truly valuable list would provides further comparative detail on hardware, software, I/O, automation, costs, etc. for example, some of the choices below can do temperature automation but not necessarily other I/O.

 

[helterscelter]

there is another/more current thread for Strange brew Eisenore: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=475456

 

[pocketmon]

Well done. klaiguy.

Let me provide some more detail of BrewManiacEx.
- Designed for recirculated E-BIAB.(Should work for K-RIMS setup)
- ESP8266 based.
- 20x4 LCD & 4 buttons.
- Web Server.
- PID AutoTune
- Sparge water heating control
- BeerXML support (Web interface)
- Temperature Chart (Web interface)
- Automatic Stirrer support (compile option)

 

[aamcle]

Free or small scale Scada/HMI software.

• IGSS - http://igss.schneider-electric.com/products/igss/training/scada-training-videos.aspx
• openAPC - http://www.openapc.com
• IndigoSCADA - https://sourceforge.net/projects/indigoscada/

Check out = http://www.softwareforenterprise.us/list-of-free-and-open-source-scada-m2m-systems/

the drawback is that the hardware tends to be more expensive.

ATB. aamcle

 

[beershralper]

found this thread looking for what BrunDog suggested:

"I would go on to agree that a truly valuable list would provides further comparative detail on hardware, software, I/O, automation, costs, etc. for example, some of the choices below can do temperature automation but not necessarily other I/O."

Has a list/comparison like this been developed?

Thanks

 

[RufusBrewer]

The BCS options do not look so solid. Their web site appears to be out of date by touting new models that are going to be available a year or two ago. But are not. They list two distributors, one says backordered, the other does not show any of their products.

Red flags for me in the absence of an explanation.