Anybody Seen This?!? (Williamswarn System)

[bctdi]

The irony is that the "non-homebrew flavour" (ie: the lack of flavour as found in Bud/Miller/Coors) isn't available with their 7-day setup since they don't sell lager kits. They only have 3 no-boil extract ale kits at the moment.

I guess I went about this all wrong. Why build my all-grain 100% electric setup that I've documented when for the same price you can make beer easier from pre-hopped extract in a can for ~$45 for 5 gallons? Who would have thunk it?

Kal

Kal , If I had 5 grand to plunk down on a system....I'd be certainly getting your electric brew system, I mean it's no contest.This guy gives a bad name to homebrew unless your using his system.I dont have any of the problems he lists in his " problems with homebrew" section on his website.This is a gimmick / novelty for people who just want to say " I made beer myself " and don't really care about creativity or quality.

 

[phuzle]

I found somewhere online that the average american drinks 234 12-ounce bottles of beer per year. 234/6= 39 6-packs a year. 39*$10= $390 dollars per year spent on beer. $5700/$390=14.61 years (I rounded up).

Ah, fair enough. I did that math backwards and got 228 beers per year, and was very confused as it isn't a round number per day. In any case, I think we need to go with what the average homebrewer drinks per day - I think its higher than the national average!

 

[Beardedterror]

Ah, fair enough. I did that math backwards and got 228 beers per year, and was very confused as it isn't a round number per day. In any case, I think we need to go with what the average homebrewer drinks per day - I think its higher than the national average!

Lol quite a bit higher.

 

[thorongil]

If money were no object, it would make a pretty nice fermentor/dispenser...

 

[kal]

Kal , If I had 5 grand to plunk down on a system....I'd be certainly getting your electric brew system, I mean it's no contest.This guy gives a bad name to homebrew unless your using his system.I dont have any of the problems he lists in his " problems with homebrew" section on his website.This is a gimmick / novelty for people who just want to say " I made beer myself " and don't really care about creativity or quality.

Yup. But is it really that gimmicky? The target audience is NZ and other countries with very high costs of beer, not the United States.

The wow factor on their unit is pretty high for someone who's not a brewer but likes the idea of having their own "beer making machine" at home.

They do mention that a large percentage of males in NZ have tried homebrewing at one time or another. The general concensus from anyone who's tried and stopped is that (a) it's a lot of work, and (b) it tastes like crap. They're fixing both of those problems they say.

The tastes like crap problem is because most people who first try homebrewing only know Bud/Miller/Coors (BMC) so that's what they're trying to make and they buy a "Blonde Lager" extract kit with high hopes. We all know how that worked out. Then coupled with the fact that most extract kits have the exact problems they list (crap yeast, old extract, not properly fermented, etc), you don't even make a good Blonde Ale, let alone a "Blonde Lager".

While they don't have any lager kits yet from what I've read, I don't see why they couldn't. It would simply contain more yeast and the right yeast. The system would maintain the right fermentation temp, it could do a diacetytl rest at the end and then drop the temp for lagering. It's basically just a fancy temp controlled conical fermenter with trub control and then a tap for serving.

Their setup is most definitely not for existing homebrewers. At about $35 USD per 23L of product, you're paying around 50 cents/beer. NZ has high beer prices so this works. Make enough and the $4000 USD equipment cost isn't all that bad. Consider that a MoreBeer.com heated/cooled 7.5 gallon conical fermenter is almost $2000 USD. For $2000 more they add in a bunch of controls, a tap, etc, and turn it in to an all-in-one [extract] beer making device. I think the price is reasonable for what it is. I think if they get a good BMC type clone beer that takes ~3-4 weeks to make from start to finish and tastes reasonable, they could sell some units.

Would I ever use one? Of course not, but I'm not the target audience. Most people don't want to learn to brew let alone do the work required, regardless of if it's extract or all-grain.

Kal

 

[RumRiverBrewer]

My wow-factor is whats at the bottom of my primaries

 

[guinsu]

I'll say for the record there is definitely a "homebrew flavor" if you use extract, especially liquid. I push my friends to use dry extract and liquid yeast to improve the quality of their beer. Really, until you go all grain a lot of times it DOES taste like homebrew.

As for the oxidation, if Kiwi's drink like Aussies I don't see 2 cases of home brew lasting long enough to oxidize. Cool system though, I wonder how much it would cost to build it yourself? I know my system of chest freezers, heat wraps, kegs and kegerator puts me over $1000 without the ease of use. As mentioned above a conical gets pretty pricey.

 

[kal]

I'd like to see them build nice temperature controlled conical fermenters that look as nice for serious AG brewers.

Kal

 

[snowninja1]

Its as if they have created this gizmo simply to squeeze the joy from life......the sad part is someone will buy it.

 

[onthekeg]

I'd like to see them build nice temperature controlled conical fermenters that look as nice for serious AG brewers.

Kal

In essence, that is all this unit is, a 5 gallon conical. We go through beer faster than that little thing can produce! No way, even if I had a million dollars would I consider that overpriced temp controlled conical. I wouldn't drink beer out of my conical anyway, there is still a bunch of crap on the walls and the cone when I clean it out afterwards. I would still transfer to a keg and age there.

 

[kal]

In essence, that is all this unit is, a 5 gallon conical. We go through beer faster than that little thing can produce! No way, even if I had a million dollars would I consider that overpriced temp controlled conical. I wouldn't drink beer out of my conical anyway, there is still a bunch of crap on the walls and the cone when I clean it out afterwards. I would still transfer to a keg and age there.

Yup, that's why I'd like to see a ~14 gallon temp controlled conical like this but without the tap and other serving stuff. It may be interesting.

Kal

 

[barrooze]

Yup, that's why I'd like to see a ~14 gallon temp controlled conical like this but without the tap and other serving stuff. It may be interesting.

Kal

MoreBeer! has them.

http://morebeer.com/search/103797/beerwinecoffee/coffeewinebeer/Heated_Cooled_Conicals

They've got a 7.5gal, 14gal, and 27gal.

 

[kal]

MoreBeer! has them.

http://morebeer.com/search/103797/beerwinecoffee/coffeewinebeer/Heated_Cooled_Conicals

They've got a 7.5gal, 14gal, and 27gal.

Yes, I'm aware of them. They've been reworked a bit over the years and introduced the new v2's just this last year (IIRC). I just thought that the Willamswarn ones may look nicer/offer up some competition.

You can stick any conical in a $50 used fridge but there may be a market for one that looks as clean as the Willamswarn ones. Who knows!

Kal

 

[barrooze]

I agree. The design of this thing is really appealing. I really wonder how the stuff tastes. It looks like the guy behind it really knows his stuff, so it'd be interesting to put some side-by-side to the best we can make (same styles obviously). I can't imagine it'd hold up, but I can't say for certain until I try some!

 

[kal]

I think it would taste as good as extract could, which, when done properly is pretty good if quality (and fresh) ingredients are used.

IMHO, someone who does extract correctly and properly (and controls fermentation properly) will make better than someone who does all-grain but has no idea what they're doing.

Lots of people win contests with extract recipes (though most are partial extracts probably). The WillamsWarn guys do mention that partial extracts are possible or even all-grain.

Kal

 

[mojo_wire]

Their "12 problems with Homebrewing" is absolutely classic:

1: Flat beer has to be carbonated after fermentation in an extra process step in bottles (4 weeks) or kegs (1 week). (Good point. But their system takes a WHOLE WEEK. I can go to the gas station, get THREE cases of beer and be home in 10 minutes)

2: Fermentation occurs at ambient temperatures so gets cold at night & in winter and can takes weeks to complete. (If you live in a sheep pen, maybe. Fortunately I live in a house with walls, roof, insulation, furance and air conditioning)

3: Clarification can take weeks. (I'm not sure what that even means)

4: Beer must be transferred off the sediment which oxidises the product greatly and creates off-flavours. (I guess there might be a point here)

5: Too much work. Multiple vessels and transfers required. Bottling homebrew takes many hours. (Many hours?)

6: Experience is required to make a good beer. Trial and error. (Substitute "good beer" for any other thing in the world and this is true. We all know gaining experience in order to improve the quality of something is a totally useless exercise in real life, and the solution is always to buy something to fix that problem.)

7: Poor temperature control during fermentation leads to yeast making off-flavours or headache-causing compounds. (Man, I'm glad I don't live in a sheep pen any more.)

8: Poor cleaning and poor sterilisation which leads to many infected beers. (Sterilization? Many?)

9: Chronic beer oxidation due to transfers between vessels and into bottles and kegs. (Whatever you say.)

10: Bottled homebrew has a dead yeast layer at the bottom which contributes off-flavours. (So the next time you use the yeast from a bottle of Chimay to brew another batch you are raising the dead. Satanist!)

11: Old extract is been kept warm for many months on the shelf, which contributes greatly to the homebrew flavour. (Well, sure, if you buy it from a store that keeps it warm and on the shelf for many months)

12: Old yeast is stored warm under the can lid which ensures a huge loss of vitality and viability, resulting in more homebrew flavours. (Good point. If you use the yeast that comes under the cap of a kit beer.)

Result: The beer tastes like poorly produced homebrew. (Wow, this makes me want to go buy beer at the grocery store. Not only is it pointless to homebrew, but why would I wait a whole week for my decent beer?)

 

[alenub]

I don't want to judge the existence of this thing by its poor marketing. The concept is amazing, and I'm thrilled that the option is there for those that want it. I'm sure most of us here have come across at least one "dream brew" before, right? One that you and your mates remember and talk about long after it's gone? This thing could have the ability to take all variables out of the equation and ensure your recipe tasted exactly like it did the first time around, every time.

But why would anyone who isn't commercially selling their beer want that? Part of the reason we brew is FOR the little nuances and imperfections. There's an art to it. This system takes the art out of it, and for many the fun.

I still bloody want one though! :$

 

[kal]

Poor marketing? This has to be one of the best marketing campaigns I've seen in a long time, for any product. It's extremely slick and well done!

Kal

 

[Sanjuro]

Oh boy am I late for this conversation... I would be interested in this only as a tool to hone recipies if they had an all grain capability. I think it would eliminate alot of the hastle of brewing alone like I do.. I've had a back surgery and lifting that 16 gallon brew kettle up to transfer the wort to the fermenter really sucks sometimes.

 

[Elijah]

I am sorry to wake this thread up after being long dead, but it's better than starting a new one.

I came across this machine after looking for a home "nano-brewing" system which can make one-two batches a time (0.5 bbl!?) - and a price tag which isn't as unwelcoming as 5000 USD!

I agree with comments above, cooking a "ready meal" isn't personal nor home cooking. Same with brewing all extract/can beers by simply adding water.

Anyone familiar with a system that can brew around 0.5 bbl (50 Liter) and knows how to take grains? Or should I make it my next kickstarter project

 

[MaltyHops]

Anyone familiar with a system that can brew around 0.5 bbl (50 Liter) and knows how to take grains? Or should I make it my next kickstarter project

You could look through this thread Fully Automated Brewing System Design for some ideas

 

[kal]

Anyone familiar with a system that can brew around 0.5 bbl (50 Liter) and knows how to take grains?

I don't know of any prebuilt fully-automated ones that exist that makes 15 gallons of beer. That's quite a bit for a fully-automated setup.

Of the ones that exist, PicoBrew Zymatic produces 2.5 gallons. Then there;s http://www.brewie.org/ that supposedly will make 20 litres (~5 gallons) but it's not available yet/little is known.

For 1/2 bbl (15 gallons) I think you're going to have to get your hands dirty a bit.

I would start a new thread and provide your requirements. Ie: Do you want 100% automation like PicoBrew (press a button, wort comes out) or are you willing to do a bit of the work yourself? And so forth.

Kal

 

[barrooze]

I am sorry to wake this thread up after being long dead, but it's better than starting a new one.

I came across this machine after looking for a home "nano-brewing" system which can make one-two batches a time (0.5 bbl!?) - and a price tag which isn't as unwelcoming as 5000 USD!

I agree with comments above, cooking a "ready meal" isn't personal nor home cooking. Same with brewing all extract/can beers by simply adding water.

Anyone familiar with a system that can brew around 0.5 bbl (50 Liter) and knows how to take grains? Or should I make it my next kickstarter project

Try this: http://morebeer.com/category/braumeister-electric-allgrain-brewing-systems-1.html

 

[Elijah]

You could look through this thread Fully Automated Brewing System Design for some ideas

This is quite interesting, I am unsure where this project stands however!
Also, a 3000 USD for a small batch isn't going to cut it.

I don't know of any prebuilt fully-automated ones that exist that makes 15 gallons of beer. That's quite a bit for a fully-automated setup.

Of the ones that exist, PicoBrew Zymatic produces 2.5 gallons. Then there;s http://www.brewie.org/ that supposedly will make 20 litres (~5 gallons) but it's not available yet/little is known.

For 1/2 bbl (15 gallons) I think you're going to have to get your hands dirty a bit.

I would start a new thread and provide your requirements. Ie: Do you want 100% automation like PicoBrew (press a button, wort comes out) or are you willing to do a bit of the work yourself? And so forth.

Kal

I think the main question is: Do you (I) aim at average Jue to start brewing beer to have a drink or are you aiming at hobby/home (or even semi/profssional) person?

The project you mention seems to aim at average Joe, also the one in this thread.
I think I need to answer some of the questions myself and then post here in a new thread to see what people think before I think of investing time and money on this one

Try this: http://morebeer.com/category/braumeister-electric-allgrain-brewing-systems-1.html

Braumeister is a great product for the first step - mashing and boiling. While it will make the life of a home-brewer (nano-brewry 0.5 bbl) much easier, the full process isn't covered here (fermentation! Kegging..)

 

[mmason]

Just saw this one

https://www.facebook.com/cnet/posts/10152997015952275