Brewmation: An amazing turnkey brewery (not a Brew-Magic vs B3, but with comparisons)

[SankePankey]

Welcome to the rat pack.

As for names.... what was the name of that 3 breasted mutant in Total Recall?

 

[ajwillys]

Hey, you're in Raleigh (Clayton?). I've seen that setup in my searches a hundred times already. Looks like a nice system, sent the link to a few friends already.

 

[halucin8]

Thanks ajwillys!!

It is truly a great system that has brewed an NHBC Gold Medalist and a Shamrock blue ribbon beer. Not bad, since I've only entered two competitions.

I may cry a little when she leaves and may have to visit her every once in a while.

Thanks Again!

 

[bobbytuck]

Is there any follow-up here? Any hands-on experiences after the initial review of a demo?

I'm looking to purchase their 13X13 control panel and upgrade my current electric brewery with new heating elements/float switches/temp controllers, but I'd like to hear more about the overall experience (and quality) of the semi-auto or auto system.

 

[sicabeer]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on some stuff from them by the end of the week too. Would it be worth it to anyone if I documented my experience with the system? I think a lot of others already have a brewmation, so I wouldn't expect a large demand.

 

[bobbytuck]

Please do. I'd be especially curious about any of what they're offering. I ended up building my eHERMS myself -- choosing parts from various places, including the EBCII controller from highgravitybrew.com and all Blichmann kettles -- but I was *very* close to pulling the trigger on brewmation's semi-auto system (although it was a bit higher than my budget allowed -- so that was another factor). I would like, as I say above, to move toward their control panels at some point.

Part of this issue with these turnkey systems is always the time it takes these folks to build to order (and the shipping is always something I'm worried about) -- but I realized I could get all parts I needed in about a week from various places, spend a weekend putting everything together, and I'd be set. I'm still searching for a stand (which I can't weld myself -- so I'm looking at various options.) But I was able to assemble a digital HERMS 220V system with 15 gallon kettles for less than 2K (including two pumps and two Ranco controllers -- one for HLT element the other for MLT pump). I coulda went with keggles and probably saved several hundred, but the Blichmann's are very nice. (The only surprise expense was the cost of getting a 220V outside outlet installed with GFCI. Parts were cheap, but my electrician is pretty meticulous -- so it was several hours of labor.)

I'm still monkeying with monitoring temps on the MLT -- but the system works great (even though it's currently propped on big bricks and a steel table.)

Anyway, yes -- please post your experiences!

 

[SankePankey]

Is there any follow-up here? Any hands-on experiences after the initial review of a demo?

I'm looking to purchase their 13X13 control panel and upgrade my current electric brewery with new heating elements/float switches/temp controllers, but I'd like to hear more about the overall experience (and quality) of the semi-auto or auto system.

I just got my Brewmation on Sunday. I'm the first one from this thread to get it. I have yet to even plug it in since I too was surprised by needing an electrician visit. The plug I had there already ended up being an emergency generator input. Doh!! I went ahead and bought an in line GFCI extension cable since I rent (and wanted to take anything pricey with me).

I will post a follow up review in the placemark that I have for that, but I will wait until I have brewed several batches on it to comment. I'm also going to wait to review until after I have gotten the software tweeks I asked for. The machine came with the stock software and he will be updating it for me asap. The most important part of the followup re: hardware, in my opinion, would be the sparge lid as I have no experience with it and it is 'different' than anyone else does it.

Everything looks great on the system. There are a couple fittings I am going to change, but they are small things.

EDIT: Until I post my official review, anyone can feel free to PM me for my thoughts. I'm sure it will be more like a couple months from now before I will post my review. I brew 15 gals at a time and at the moment, I just have my one fermenter.. and so that means a brew every 3 weeks, until I get a second one.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

Cool. I didnt see this when you first posted it but I was wondering if anyone had purchased one of these. I'm interested in hearing all of your results, I've always thought it looked like a neat system.

 

[SankePankey]

There are currently 3 in the rat pack awaiting use of our systems. And another guy I spoke to who's serving in Iraq who may get one when he gets back.

The design is slick and I was amazed at how little the assembled system weighs. Its really like a brewing kitchen appliance. It's like a large coffee pod machine. One cup...er.. keg at a time.

 

[halucin8]

I have not received mine yet. He was short one vessel and had to wait for another production run from Polarware.

I can say that Kevin has kept me up to date on the progress of my brewery. He also had no problem using some stainless quick disconnects from my old system.

Hopefully my system will ship out this week.

BTW, anyone looking for 220V GFCI circuit breakers try superbreakers.com as they were almost $70 cheaper than anyone else.

Cheers!

 

[drmark50]

I have not received mine yet. He was short one vessel and had to wait for another production run from Polarware.

I can say that Kevin has kept me up to date on the progress of my brewery. He also had no problem using some stainless quick disconnects from my old system.

Hopefully my system will ship out this week.

BTW, anyone looking for 220V GFCI circuit breakers try superbreakers.com as they were almost $70 cheaper than anyone else.

Cheers!

Halucin8
I am the third man in the "rat pack" waiting on the completion of the brewmation. I have had the electrician in already but he didn't install the 220V GFCI because he wanted to be "sure" I needed it. I guess he has ordered them in the past for customers who decide against in when they learn the cost. I was going to have him order it, but he said it was over $100. I am curious which one you ordered from superbreakers (model or part number would be helpful). Also, it looks like it is superbreakers.net not superbreakers.com.

 

[SankePankey]

I would seriously consider doing what I did (well, I did it, so of course I would):

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350138274590

30A Ground Fault Interrupt with Male Plug GFI Cord Cable from friesen.com

It's super beefy and $77 w/ free ship.

From what I understand most applications don't require a GFCI, so why not make it more 'part' of your brewmation (and thus more portable). The rig is so light/easy to put in my truck that I can see taking it over to a buddy's place to brew or something.
EDIT: The plug is a standard dryer plug, I think. Even if there's a GFCI wherever you go elsewhere (on someone's dryer plug), 2 in a row isn't going to be a problem, so I've been told. I just wouldn't want to not have one, at least.

Otherwise, the regular breaker, box, and wire was like a $25 Home Depot bill. I got it all myself so there is no opportunity for the electrician to upcharge for them. Just a labor fee.

My cable is $77 and that's pretty much what just a GFCI breaker would cost, too, so I'd say <$150 and that's a decent quote, but >$150 he'd be gouging you.

 

[ScottyBones]

I would seriously consider doing what I did (well, I did it, so of course I would):

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350138274590

30A Ground Fault Interrupt with Male Plug GFI Cord Cable from friesen.com

It's super beefy and $77 w/ free ship.

From what I understand most applications don't require a GFCI, so why not make it more 'part' of your brewmation (and thus more portable). The rig is so light/easy to put in my truck that I can see taking it over to a buddy's place to brew or something.
EDIT: The plug is a standard dryer plug, I think. Even if there's a GFCI wherever you go elsewhere (on someone's dryer plug), 2 in a row isn't going to be a problem, so I've been told. I just wouldn't want to not have one, at least.

Otherwise, the regular breaker, box, and wire was like a $25 Home Depot bill. I got it all myself so there is no opportunity for the electrician to upcharge for them. Just a labor fee.

My cable is $77 and that's pretty much what just a GFCI breaker would cost, too, so I'd say <$150 and that's a decent quote, but >$150 he'd be gouging you.

this is exactly what i was planning to do, then realized the dryer outlet in my apartment is old-school 3 prong. i'm hesitant to use it for brewing, because of safety considerations i've read on here

 

[SankePankey]

The brewmation does not use the neutral wire. It itself is only 3 wire. But Kevin thinks my GFCI cable would. So, I agree that you shouldn't plug the brewmation into a 3 prong without it having a gfci breaker in the box.

 

[drmark50]

I would seriously consider doing what I did (well, I did it, so of course I would):

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350138274590

30A Ground Fault Interrupt with Male Plug GFI Cord Cable from friesen.com

It's super beefy and $77 w/ free ship.

From what I understand most applications don't require a GFCI, so why not make it more 'part' of your brewmation (and thus more portable). The rig is so light/easy to put in my truck that I can see taking it over to a buddy's place to brew or something.
EDIT: The plug is a standard dryer plug, I think. Even if there's a GFCI wherever you go elsewhere (on someone's dryer plug), 2 in a row isn't going to be a problem, so I've been told. I just wouldn't want to not have one, at least.

Otherwise, the regular breaker, box, and wire was like a $25 Home Depot bill. I got it all myself so there is no opportunity for the electrician to upcharge for them. Just a labor fee.

My cable is $77 and that's pretty much what just a GFCI breaker would cost, too, so I'd say <$150 and that's a decent quote, but >$150 he'd be gouging you.

Did you have Kevin wire directly into the GFCI breaker cable, or did you do it yourself? I am wondering if I order it and have it sent to kevin if he can do it all? I like the idea of making it more "portable".

 

[SankePankey]

Kevin hooked me up. Send it to him, he'll custom it if you want it w/ twist locks or whatever for a nominal fee. Beware that it takes them about 7 days to ship it.

He would just wire it into the brewmation for free, I think.

 

[marzsit]

brewmation=nothing special..... same as same as same others.....

 

[sicabeer]

Pulled the trigger on a custom build that I worked out with Kevin, who has been great. I'll start a new thread once I receive parts.

 

[wildwest450]

brewmation=nothing special..... same as same as same others.....

Come up with something better and cheaper and i'll buy it.



.

 

[SankePankey]

Pulled the trigger on a custom build that I worked out with Kevin, who has been great. I'll start a new thread once I receive parts.

Would love to hear about it. Kevin told me some cool plans he had for future breweries. Please include a link on this thread so people may follow if they want.

 

[drmark50]

Kevin hooked me up. Send it to him, he'll custom it if you want it w/ twist locks or whatever for a nominal fee. Beware that it takes them about 7 days to ship it.

He would just wire it into the brewmation for free, I think.

SP
Could you post pics of what your cable looks like? I will likely do the wiring myself since I don't want to delay the finishing of my brewmation. It will essentially be an extension cord with a GFCI in it.

 

[SankePankey]

I can't post pics yet. Once I have some extra $... whenever that is.

I can't seem to find a cable on ebay, so they must just need to repost it.

The seller is:
http://myworld.ebay.com/friesen_auctions/
and the text of my auction was:
30A Ground Fault Interrupt w/ MPlug GFI Cable

Kevin put a surface mount box on the end of the GFCI so I could mount it onto my table and then plug the brewmation into it.

 

[sicabeer]

My build was for less. Although a future brewery is possibly in the works in the future (5yrs). My town has 0 brew pubs, 0 microbreweries, 1 tap room. I will start a new thread when I get the equipment. So, I ordered on Friday, I will follow up on this thread when the items ship. Realizing that this is not exactly the normal brewmation setup. I hate to say in some ways less impressive since it won't be AG. In some ways much more impressive, since it will not cause so much of an issue with SWMBO. Also Kevin is only 2 hours away from me, so support local, whatever that means / save delivery charges if I want to make the trip.
All I can say is that the square rig is really growing on me, I want a square SS conical fermenter. (also cleared out my PMs)

 

[Desert_Sky]

way too long, didnt read

Anyone have pics?

 

[SankePankey]

way too long, didnt read

Anyone have pics?

Man..? This is the second one of these on this thread. I never can understand why there is the time to post on a thread about not having time to read it. Thanks for the info, I guess. The first paragraph has the brewmation website link with both pictures and videos. My explative details the full auto system which there is not much info about on the website past a paragraph (yet).

I just got my brewhouse a couple days ago and I'm not quite ready to go yet, certainly nothing to take pics of.

 

[SankePankey]

My build was for less. Although a future brewery is possibly in the works in the future (5yrs). My town has 0 brew pubs, 0 microbreweries, 1 tap room. I will start a new thread when I get the equipment. So, I ordered on Friday, I will follow up on this thread when the items ship. Realizing that this is not exactly the normal brewmation setup. I hate to say in some ways less impressive since it won't be AG. In some ways much more impressive, since it will not cause so much of an issue with SWMBO. Also Kevin is only 2 hours away from me, so support local, whatever that means / save delivery charges if I want to make the trip.
All I can say is that the square rig is really growing on me, I want a square SS conical fermenter. (also cleared out my PMs)

It's funny. The brewmation seems to attract a similar kind of folk. I have the very same conclusions and desires re: my area. (Good think we are all about 2 hrs apart).

 

[halucin8]

Mine will be here tomorrow!!!!

 

[drmark50]

Will be picking mine up tomorrow night. My little brew room is essentially set up. I will likely brew a larger "starter" (and store the wort for starters) to do a dry run. Plan to brew a pilsener first (just built a stir plate and have a starter on it now - WLP800). Will post pics and a review.

 

[SankePankey]

Sweet. Congrats guys.

That's what I'm going to do too. Want to autoclave jars of starter wort like Jamil does.

I'm still waiting on some bits and pieces to arrive before I can start. You guys will probably be brewing before me on this thing.

 

[noobster101]

where's the update on this one? I hope the owner is sending a technical manual for that in case it needs repair. After service is very important for automated stuff.