CES 2024

[day_trippr]

Spotted this article on Yet Another Homebrew Machine, surely destined for eBay used equipment sales faster than one can say "Margaritaville"

https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-a...p-of-this-illegal-machine-brewed-beer-at-ces/
Cheers!

 

[Whisky River]

Spotted this article on Yet Another Homebrew Machine, surely destined for eBay used equipment sales faster than one can say "Margaritaville"

https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-a...p-of-this-illegal-machine-brewed-beer-at-ces/
Cheers!

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll be looking for these in the museum of defunct Homebrewing gadgets soon.
It still baffles me that there is apparently a market for people who want to “brew” their own beer but only want to add water and then press a button. Oh wait, no it doesn’t, never mind.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Looks like the kits use DME (Pale Ale Beer Brewing Ingredient Kit)

 

[Bramling Cross]

“Considering the low level of skill needed for making a batch -- a monkey really could do it.”

Perhaps there’s hope for me yet.

 

[Skeeter686]

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll be looking for these in the museum of defunct Homebrewing gadgets soon.
It still baffles me that there is apparently a market for people who want to “brew” their own beer but only want to add water and then press a button. Oh wait, no it doesn’t, never mind.

I don't really see how this is different from Mr. Beer, except that it's geared for people with a lot more disposable income. And I know people who started with a Mr. Beer kit and moved on to more "conventional" homebrewing.

I would never buy one, myself, because I picked up the hobby because I want to enjoy the process and to have the flexibility to experiment to a degree that this system most likely can't support. But if someone has the cash to spend and this is what gets their foot in the door, I won't complain about easy entry to homebrewing. Considering that the hobby seems to be in decline, maybe something like this will bring in new blood.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

FYI: There is an iGuru S1 KickStarter project (link) that is currently scheduled to end on Aug 25, 2024.

I picked up the hobby because I want to enjoy the process and to have the flexibility to experiment [,,]

You, I, and just about everyone else in most (perhaps all) home brewing discussion forums. ( @David.i )

Considering that the hobby seems to be in decline, maybe something like this will bring in new blood.

IMO, the price point is too high and the batch size are too small ( @David.i )

IMO, MoreBeer, with their Flash Brewing™ Kits (including bottling with 16 oz swing top bottles), may have done something interesting, at a reasonable price point, to expand the new home brewer market. Yes, their Flash Yeast™ product is the "unknown" to HomeBrewTalk - does it perform well over the room temperature range that they suggest?

If nothing else, the Flash Brewing™ Kits may inspire the next generation of Blasphemy - No Boil NEIPA (link) and No-Boil Recipes! New for 2019! (link).

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

@David.i : feel free to PM me for the opportunity to get more research ideas!

 

[David.i]

FYI: There is an iGuru S1 KickStarter project (link) that is currently scheduled to end on Aug 25, 2024.


You, I, and just about everyone else in most (perhaps all) home brewing discussion forums. ( @David.i )


IMO, the price point is too high and the batch size are too small ( @David.i )

IMO, MoreBeer, with their Flash Brewing™ Kits (including bottling with 16 oz swing top bottles), may have done something interesting, at a reasonable price point, to expand the new home brewer market. Yes, their Flash Yeast™ product is the "unknown" to HomeBrewTalk - does it perform well over the room temperature range that they suggest?

If nothing else, the Flash Brewing™ Kits may inspire the next generation of Blasphemy - No Boil NEIPA (link) and No-Boil Recipes! New for 2019! (link).

Thank you for inviting me to the discussion. If we set aside the issues of “the price point being too high and the batch size being too small,” regarding the point “I picked up the hobby because I want to enjoy the process and to have the flexibility to experiment,” I believe iGulu does not detract from the fun in this process and still allows for very flexible experimentation and enjoyment. Therefore, I apologize as I may not have fully understood where the problem with iGulu lies.

 

[mac_1103]

If we set aside the issues of “the price point being too high and the batch size being too small,”

So if we set aside the product's obvious flaws, it's a pretty good product?

I mean, yeah, I guess I can sort of see the thought process behind developing a countertop brewing system. And I guess that sort of dictates that there's going to be batch size limitations. But did it really not cross your minds that many people wouldn't see the appeal of spending $700 for a one gallon fermenter/dispenser that is tied up from brew day until the last pour? To me, it would make a lot more sense to separate the fermenting and serving functions so that you could have something to drink more or less continuously. But someone who wanted to do that would have to spend at least $1400. And someone who wants to make their own wort to "allow(s) for very flexible experimentation and enjoyment" still needs to have separate equipment for doing that.

 

[David.i]

So if we set aside the product's obvious flaws, it's a pretty good product?

I mean, yeah, I guess I can sort of see the thought process behind developing a countertop brewing system. And I guess that sort of dictates that there's going to be batch size limitations. But did it really not cross your minds that many people wouldn't see the appeal of spending $700 for a one gallon fermenter/dispenser that is tied up from brew day until the last pour? To me, it would make a lot more sense to separate the fermenting and serving functions so that you could have something to drink more or less continuously. But someone who wanted to do that would have to spend at least $1400. And someone who wants to make their own wort to "allow(s) for very flexible experimentation and enjoyment" still needs to have separate equipment for doing that.

Thank you for your suggestions. The machine(S1) is currently priced at $299 on Kickstarter, and we are working hard to lower the price to provide more and better options. At the same time, we are considering “to separate the fermenting and serving functions” or to handle these two stages in a more flexible way.

If you want to take a look at Kickstarter. iGulu S1: The Ultimate Beer Brewer For Everyone by iGulu — Kickstarter

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

“I picked up the hobby because I want to enjoy the process and to have the flexibility to experiment,”

Beyond the price point and the batch size, there is the need for the app and the need to pay more to unlock features.

My observation with with this approach to products, that that both are failure points that can either "brick" the product or detract from the actual hobby when they don't work.

eta: The recent activity around iGulu seems to be about raising awareness of the S1 kick-starter. That's fine.

eta(2): iGulu: Worth it? (external link). ( @David.i )

 

[David.i]

Beyond the price point and the batch size, there is the need for the app and the need to pay more to unlock features.

My observation with with this approach to products, that that both are failure points that can either "brick" the product or detract from the actual hobby when they don't work.

eta: The recent activity around iGulu seems to be about raising awareness of the S1 kick-starter. That's fine.

Thank you for your response and for expressing your genuine concerns. I understand your worries, but I’d like to assure you that the machine can work without an internet connection. The screen comes preloaded with several commonly used brewing processes, including both ale and lager. The use of the app is intended to provide an even more convenient way to create your own recipes, offering additional flexibility and customization.

 

[hotbeer]

Like the Flash Brewing kits, this is something that may expand the group of people brewing beer and will hopefully help the home brew suppliers. Even if it just from those that got into this and then decided to go to what we think is a more traditional way of brewing.

Not sure why the slam for pricing. There is and has been beer equipment for the home brewers that makes me pale at the price I will never be willing to fork out. Convenience is worth a lot to people and this might fit their bill.

 

[SkyPilot]

Thank you for your suggestions. The machine(S1) is currently priced at $299 on Kickstarter, and we are working hard to lower the price to provide more and better options. At the same time, we are considering “to separate the fermenting and serving functions” or to handle these two stages in a more flexible way.

If you want to take a look at Kickstarter. iGulu S1: The Ultimate Beer Brewer For Everyone by iGulu — Kickstarter

Ummm when I looked yesterday and today, out of engineering curiosity, the only option left on the link seems to be the S1 12 pack for $2,988.00

 

[David.i]

Ummm when I looked yesterday and today, out of engineering curiosity, the only option left on the link seems to be the S1 12 pack for $2,988.00

I checked it out and it appears to be normal.

 

[SkyPilot]

I checked it out and it appears to be normal.
View attachment 855090

My sincere apologies. I looked again and i misread/interpreted the sold out signs to the left. I wish I could say it was because I had too many homebrews but I am on vacation and away from my stash. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[David.i]

My sincere apologies. I looked again and i misread/interpreted the sold out signs to the left. I wish I could say it was because I had too many homebrews but I am on vacation and away from my stash. Sorry for any confusion.

No problem at all, and no need to apologize. Enjoy your vacation