Automated systems for first time brewer?

[Gizzygone]

I’ll start by saying I’m finishing up a bar in my basement, complete with two tap kegerator (2x 1/6 log keg capacity).

I know I’ll need a new hobby after I finish this thing up: so what better hobby than brewing my own beer to serve at my bar?!

I was given a starter kit (essentially 5gallon buckets and a bottle capper) by a friend as a gift, but as I look into it, I can see I’m missing a lot of components (boiler, pot, etc).

I saw the Pico Pro, which seems neat: but it seems a bit gimmicky/expensive for 13 beers. I’m looking for something to serve from my keg.

The Zymatic seems neat, if not expensive... but I’ve seen a couple of other systems in the same price range.

So I’m curious:

1: What other systems are out there?

2: Is there a “king” of all systems?

3: Are they just gimmicks? (I.E. am I better off just building my own propane burner setup? I work a couple jobs so spare time is limited...)

4: Suppose you brew and ferment a couple batches for keg dispensing: how long will they keep for?

 

[BrunDog]

Tough question. The brewie may be the best system for your needs given the batch size but it’s not cheap. It has the most promise but it also seems to have a lot of issues in software and hardware, plus the company communication has left many frustrated, though I don’t have any personal experience so please don’t take my word for it - read the forum here and the Facebook users group for feedback.

I think the bigger question is if you like the idea of the hobby of making your own beer. If you do, you can get into it for some real testing with a pot and propane burner and some extract. That would be fairly inexpensive. Then step up with BIAB etc. if you like it.

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

I suggest finding a club and /or person in your area that already does brew, and offer to pay for the ingredients to do a 10 gallon batch and keep half in exchange for the brewery owner showing you how and using their equipment... there are a lot of folks with good equipment that can't drink fast enough... win-win-win, as you also gain experience and can see different systems before buying anything..

 

[Gizzygone]

Tough question. The brewie may be the best system for your needs given the batch size but it’s not cheap. It has the most promise but it also seems to have a lot of issues in software and hardware, plus the company communication has left many frustrated, though I don’t have any personal experience so please don’t take my word for it - read the forum here and the Facebook users group for feedback.

I think the bigger question is if you like the idea of the hobby of making your own beer. If you do, you can get into it for some real testing with a pot and propane burner and some extract. That would be fairly inexpensive. Then step up with BIAB etc. if you like it.

I wasn’t sure if the automated systems would be an end-point anyways: making it reasonable to invest in an automated system, instead of purchasing a propane system. Plus; I was curious if having an automated system would make it a hobby I’m more apt to keep up with, given my time is quite limited as it is!

I suggest finding a club and /or person in your area that already does brew, and offer to pay for the ingredients to do a 10 gallon batch and keep half in exchange for the brewery owner showing you how and using their equipment... there are a lot of folks with good equipment that can't drink fast enough... win-win-win, as you also gain experience and can see different systems before buying anything..

Not a bad idea: I’ll have to stop into a local brew store and see if they have any leads!