I’ve been brewing for 10 years. In that time I’ve probably made 50+ batches, all extract, all kegs, never bottled. Partial boil and 95% of the time kits from Northern Brewer.
I’d like to brew smaller batches of beer as 5 gallons of many styles is too much for me. A 5 gallon batch of my favorite IPA is fine but I’d really like to brew some 2 gallon batches of styles I’d just like to drink on occasion. I’d like to experiment some more.
Between kids, life, other hobbies, and time I rarely brew anymore but would like to brew more. Bought a Pico C on a whim for $50 figuring the corney keg was worth that to me.
I know that smaller extract kits are available but reality is when you look at the costs you may as well just get the 5 gallon kit because it doesn’t cost much more. After getting the Pico I started to look at the kits and they are EXPENSIVE for a small batch of beer. So I start looking more and see the Brewie +, the Pico Z which seem to be closer to what I’m looking for. Flexibility of batch sizes, ability to use my own ingredients, and automation which saves time (and being a lover of gadgets looks fun) but it appears these systems still have a lot of issues.
I want to brew more and in order to do that I want to brew smaller batches at a reasonable cost and also keep things simple. What I don’t want is to purchase something to make things easier and then be on the forum all of the time trying to figure out how to make it work .
Are any of the automated systems ready for prime time? From the things I read here most have lots of bugs to work out, I’m getting to old to be an early adopter . Would a Gigawort be a good option for me? It would meet several of my requirements; a new gadget, ability to do smaller batches with BIAB, I could still do 5 gallon batches of extract when I wanted. It wouldn’t save me the time that an automated system would and I’d have to learn to BIAB but I don’t think that’s too difficult.
Any input would be appreciated.
I’d like to brew smaller batches of beer as 5 gallons of many styles is too much for me. A 5 gallon batch of my favorite IPA is fine but I’d really like to brew some 2 gallon batches of styles I’d just like to drink on occasion. I’d like to experiment some more.
Between kids, life, other hobbies, and time I rarely brew anymore but would like to brew more. Bought a Pico C on a whim for $50 figuring the corney keg was worth that to me.
I know that smaller extract kits are available but reality is when you look at the costs you may as well just get the 5 gallon kit because it doesn’t cost much more. After getting the Pico I started to look at the kits and they are EXPENSIVE for a small batch of beer. So I start looking more and see the Brewie +, the Pico Z which seem to be closer to what I’m looking for. Flexibility of batch sizes, ability to use my own ingredients, and automation which saves time (and being a lover of gadgets looks fun) but it appears these systems still have a lot of issues.
I want to brew more and in order to do that I want to brew smaller batches at a reasonable cost and also keep things simple. What I don’t want is to purchase something to make things easier and then be on the forum all of the time trying to figure out how to make it work .
Are any of the automated systems ready for prime time? From the things I read here most have lots of bugs to work out, I’m getting to old to be an early adopter . Would a Gigawort be a good option for me? It would meet several of my requirements; a new gadget, ability to do smaller batches with BIAB, I could still do 5 gallon batches of extract when I wanted. It wouldn’t save me the time that an automated system would and I’d have to learn to BIAB but I don’t think that’s too difficult.
Any input would be appreciated.
