The Catalyst fermentation system..........

[CraftaBrew]

I just wanted to chime in as the creator of The Catalyst and that Kickstarter. Of course the video is a little over the top if not seen in context. Kickstarter is all about conveying to the audience that the product is different from the products currently on the market, the benefits as well as explaining the background of the product. We did make a quite unique product that strays from the traditional conical fermenter model or the brew bucket which does not share many of the features seen on The Catalyst.

Having the fermenter on the counter is for display purposes, most of us keep our fermenters on ground level and the bottling/kegging attachment will work just fine on the ground.

We would love to price these at $75 or $100 but unfortunately creating a new product from scratch that has 17 individual components that each need production molds is not a cheap or easy undertaking. The high quality materials we decided to use for the fermenter is what really set the price at $200, Tritan is the highest quality polymer we could find on the market that offers many benefits for fermentation but unfortunately doesn't come cheap.

We love hearing feedback though so keep it coming or always feel free to shoot us a direct message or email with suggestions or questions. If you have any ideas for accessories or products you'd like to see us create next we would love to see those comments too.

 

[Weezy]

You don't have to feed the trolls.

 

[DurtyChemist]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=586764

Check out this thread Seabrew. You'll probably have your questions answered. I don't know how you consider having to place this on a counter the reason the advertising is a lie. You get wort out of it the same way you get it out of your carboy. The difference is they have a funnel attachment you screw in the bottom with hose and a pinch clamp. Place the tubing into a bottle, release the clamp, fill the bottle, then pinch the clamp closed when the bottle is full.

No bottling bucket, bottling want, or moving necessary. If you want to keg you get the siphone started and it will take care of the rest. I don't even have one and I could find the information showing all this on the forum but you're right it's not worth paying someone for their research, product development, and materials cost because you don't see how it's any different than a plastic carboy, an auto siphon, sugar, and a bottling bucket. If you REALLY wanted to see if it wasn't as special as you think you'd buy one, use it and send it back to Northern Brewer within their return period.

 

[Ghostrider513]

I have one. It's actually pretty sweet and easy to use.

Did it perform as advertised? It looks like it would be perfect for a new person to use. I've always had trouble with siphoning and clearing the crap from the wort. Did it seem easier without the additional steps used in traditional brewing?

I read all of the negative comments above and wanted to state that CraftABrew has always provided me with excellent tech support and even rescued a batch I screwed up. Made by brewers for brewers to make it easier to brew. To the nay sayers above, it's clear you don't like change so keep doing what your doing. If you can speak from the experience of owning one, then that info is valuable, otherwise quit whinning.
Thanks

 

[Ghostrider513]

People don't understand the enormous cost to take an idea and turn it into reality. Molds are extremely expensive to make and then manufacturing involves payment for all materials and labor up front. Then of course there is the business end of these, taxes, legal fees, everything any business has to pay for. I know this part first hand as an inventor and as a customer of their Gallon kit and recipes. I never brewed before and the first kit I tried was a mister beer - epic disaster. So the next time I did a lot of research. Craftabrew was the choice I made and it worked perfectly as described. I had some issues with kits after my first try and Craftabrew walked me through the whole process and fixed what should have been thrown away in the sink. They have since stood by me when I use their kits and I ALWAYS get a response (sometimes it's a day or two later) but they always come through. If you're concerned about quality vs price, remember you get what you pay for. $200.00 with solid tech support and assistance is invaluable and from what I can see on videos and peoples comments, this works exactly as advertised. Being unemployed right now, I can't afford one but hopefully that will change and I'll be able to buy two or three for different batches. At least one. Thanks Craft A Brew for being there when I needed you. You guys are the best.

I just wanted to chime in as the creator of The Catalyst and that Kickstarter. Of course the video is a little over the top if not seen in context. Kickstarter is all about conveying to the audience that the product is different from the products currently on the market, the benefits as well as explaining the background of the product. We did make a quite unique product that strays from the traditional conical fermenter model or the brew bucket which does not share many of the features seen on The Catalyst.

Having the fermenter on the counter is for display purposes, most of us keep our fermenters on ground level and the bottling/kegging attachment will work just fine on the ground.

We would love to price these at $75 or $100 but unfortunately creating a new product from scratch that has 17 individual components that each need production molds is not a cheap or easy undertaking. The high quality materials we decided to use for the fermenter is what really set the price at $200, Tritan is the highest quality polymer we could find on the market that offers many benefits for fermentation but unfortunately doesn't come cheap.

We love hearing feedback though so keep it coming or always feel free to shoot us a direct message or email with suggestions or questions. If you have any ideas for accessories or products you'd like to see us create next we would love to see those comments too.

 

[Thorsbrew]

People don't understand the enormous cost to take an idea and turn it into reality. Molds are extremely expensive to make and then manufacturing involves payment for all materials and labor up front. Then of course there is the business end of these, taxes, legal fees, everything any business has to pay for. I know this part first hand as an inventor and as a customer of their Gallon kit and recipes. I never brewed before and the first kit I tried was a mister beer - epic disaster. So the next time I did a lot of research. Craftabrew was the choice I made and it worked perfectly as described. I had some issues with kits after my first try and Craftabrew walked me through the whole process and fixed what should have been thrown away in the sink. They have since stood by me when I use their kits and I ALWAYS get a response (sometimes it's a day or two later) but they always come through. If you're concerned about quality vs price, remember you get what you pay for. $200.00 with solid tech support and assistance is invaluable and from what I can see on videos and peoples comments, this works exactly as advertised. Being unemployed right now, I can't afford one but hopefully that will change and I'll be able to buy two or three for different batches. At least one. Thanks Craft A Brew for being there when I needed you. You guys are the best.

I partially agree and see both sides. While yes the costs of a start up are immense and dictate the reality of what they must charge for their product I feel people supporting the small guy overlook the other aspect of it which is also reality.

From the consumer's standpoint the reality is that your product (regardless of your own small business startups related costs) has to compete with what large scale production can offer. And if your product isn't truly revolutionary and completely outstrips other cheaper options or any somewhat similar larger scale options then it simply can't justify the significant expense due simply to the higher costs of small scale startups. That higher small scale cost can only be justified if something truly truly useful has been produced.

Otherwise it's just novelty and isn't worth it to anyone except those who don't care about value and love novelty niche things.


At least that's my opinion and way of looking at the value of things.

 

[Ghostrider513]

Then you have to put in on a counter or something to basically take advantage of the system.

One of the selling points is all the work the extra transfers take using a bucket or carboy. IE lifting up the buckets. Well this thing is on a stand and still has to be placed on a counter top. Its actually harder "work". Another lie.

Its a terrible ad. IMO They should of let the product stand on its own merits. If the price was lower i bet they would be selling thousands of these. I would buy one.

The video shows it EMPTY on a counter. It's designed to be on the floor or a raised shelf so the video isn't a lie and it isn't harder work. Commonsense goes a long way. Come on. Really?

 

[Ghostrider513]

Thorsbrew:
"I partially agree and see both sides. While yes the costs of a start up are immense and dictate the reality of what they must charge for their product I feel people supporting the small guy overlook the other aspect of it which is also reality.

From the consumer's standpoint the reality is that your product (regardless of your own small business startups related costs) has to compete with what large scale production can offer. And if your product isn't truly revolutionary and completely outstrips other cheaper options or any somewhat similar larger scale options then it simply can't justify the significant expense due simply to the higher costs of small scale startups. That higher small scale cost can only be justified if something truly truly useful has been produced.

Otherwise it's just novelty and isn't worth it to anyone except those who don't care about value and love novelty niche things.


At least that's my opinion and way of looking at the value of things."

Thorsbrew, I agree with you, mostly. If someone has spent a great deal on equipment and something new comes along, is easier to use and more expensive - because it's new, that doesn't mean it's okay to trash the company or new product. They took a risk and did better than most small startups do, they got it to market. The other hand is will they price the product out of the market? In this case maybe yes, maybe no. Time will tell. Brewing is a hobby for most of us and hobbies are expensive (try RC Racing or airplanes - talk about spending money)

Me personally? I don't have a ton of expensive equipment so this would be a good investment, not a dust collector. Full brewing kits run $200.00 easily by the time you get all the tools and accessories anyways. Not having to lift and carry between stages seems pretty logical to me. I have a bad back and can only do a gallon at a time. This I can do five gallons with little lifting. If people don't like it because of the cost, then they should say that. They shouldn't make up crap that's not true. Like I said, that's my personal opinion.

I would like it if it were lower priced. But I see the value and this product obviously had a lot of thought that went into the design and quality. You get what you pay for. On a different note, I think this is a fair price for the time and money it saves down the line. Throwing beer away because of this or that mistake is expensive and Catalyst helps to prevent that. Something not mentioned in the video. I found a system for $348.99 here: http://www.homebrewing.org/5-Gallon-Igloo-Mash-System_p_2731.html so I find the complaints a little unfair.

 

[Thorsbrew]

Thorsbrew:
"I partially agree and see both sides. While yes the costs of a start up are immense and dictate the reality of what they must charge for their product I feel people supporting the small guy overlook the other aspect of it which is also reality.

From the consumer's standpoint the reality is that your product (regardless of your own small business startups related costs) has to compete with what large scale production can offer. And if your product isn't truly revolutionary and completely outstrips other cheaper options or any somewhat similar larger scale options then it simply can't justify the significant expense due simply to the higher costs of small scale startups. That higher small scale cost can only be justified if something truly truly useful has been produced.

Otherwise it's just novelty and isn't worth it to anyone except those who don't care about value and love novelty niche things.


At least that's my opinion and way of looking at the value of things."

Thorsbrew, I agree with you, mostly. If someone has spent a great deal on equipment and something new comes along, is easier to use and more expensive - because it's new, that doesn't mean it's okay to trash the company or new product. They took a risk and did better than most small startups do, they got it to market. The other hand is will they price the product out of the market? In this case maybe yes, maybe no. Time will tell. Brewing is a hobby for most of us and hobbies are expensive (try RC Racing or airplanes - talk about spending money)

Me personally? I don't have a ton of expensive equipment so this would be a good investment, not a dust collector. Full brewing kits run $200.00 easily by the time you get all the tools and accessories anyways. Not having to lift and carry between stages seems pretty logical to me. I have a bad back and can only do a gallon at a time. This I can do five gallons with little lifting. If people don't like it because of the cost, then they should say that. They shouldn't make up crap that's not true. Like I said, that's my personal opinion.

I would like it if it were lower priced. But I see the value and this product obviously had a lot of thought that went into the design and quality. You get what you pay for. On a different note, I think this is a fair price for the time and money it saves down the line. Throwing beer away because of this or that mistake is expensive and Catalyst helps to prevent that. Something not mentioned in the video. I found a system for $348.99 here: http://www.homebrewing.org/5-Gallon-Igloo-Mash-System_p_2731.html so I find the complaints a little unfair.

You get what you pay for only goes so far. What you pay for doesn't always get you the most value.

Stating facts (or at least educated opinions) isn't equivalent to bad mouthing a company. There's a difference between constructive criticism or speaking honestly and being a jerk. I see this a lot in niche communities I frequent such as computer water cooling and homebrewing. People afraid to voice any earnest opinions that don't conform and it's a shame.

Also what did i "make up that wasnt true"?

 

[Schlenkerla]

I like the idea itself.

I don't like the idea of adding an empty mason jar to drain of the yeast. I don't want to aerate fermented beer. I guess you need to have it on there from the start and open the butterfly. Pitch with the ball/mason jar from the bottom.

I thought about buying this but $200 is too much for me. My marginal value says my spare $100 is better off on a nitrogen tank and gas. I already have a Ni regulator. Then I have another $100 to spare on something else. I can also buy 3 stout faucets for close to $100. ($35 each Amazon via Krome Dispense)

Walmart Bottle - $6.94

I can buy 14 PET Bottles for my leftover $100 dollars. Same as a better-bottle with a handle. Or - 28 PET Bottles for $200.

I will use a carboy and auto syphon or a drilled bucket with a swivel pet-cock valve for now.

 

[DrFun]

Did it perform as advertised? It looks like it would be perfect for a new person to use. I've always had trouble with siphoning and clearing the crap from the wort. Did it seem easier without the additional steps used in traditional brewing?

Yes, I think it does work as advertised. I've made two batches in it so far and both have turned out well. I did buy an inline filter because I dry hopped with pellets and no hop bags, that is a mistake, always use hop bags.
Bottling is super slick, especially if you use a bottling wand.
Harvesting yeast is a breeze.
Not having a separate bottling bucket is nice, especially in an apartment.

Heck, I kind of want a second one but I have no place to put it.

 

[Ghostrider513]

You get what you pay for only goes so far. What you pay for doesn't always get you the most value.

Stating facts (or at least educated opinions) isn't equivalent to bad mouthing a company. There's a difference between constructive criticism or speaking honestly and being a jerk. I see this a lot in niche communities I frequent such as computer water cooling and homebrewing. People afraid to voice any earnest opinions that don't conform and it's a shame.

Also what did i "make up that wasnt true"?

I wasn't referring to you making things up, and I tried hard to avoid doing that. I was referencing some other comments. Sorry for the confusion. As I said before I agree with you on several points. If someone new was starting out and didn't own a great deal of equipment, had little or no experience, then this would be a great investment as a starter kit. That's my point. Someone that wants to grow from that can and usually will pay for more equipment. Especially once they start to experiment with different yeasts, hops and the like.

 

[Ghostrider513]

I like the idea itself.

I don't like the idea of adding an empty mason jar to drain of the yeast. I don't want to aerate fermented beer. I guess you need to have it on there from the start and open the butterfly. Pitch with the ball/mason jar from the bottom.

I thought about buying this but $200 is too much for me. My marginal value says my spare $100 is better off on a nitrogen tank and gas. I already have a Ni regulator. Then I have another $100 to spare on something else. I can also buy 3 stout faucets for close to $100. ($35 each Amazon via Krome Dispense)

Walmart Bottle - $6.94

I can buy 14 PET Bottles for my leftover $100 dollars. Same as a better-bottle with a handle. Or - 28 PET Bottles for $200.

I will use a carboy and auto syphon or a drilled bucket with a swivel pet-cock valve for now.

You already have a lot of equipment so it doesn't make a lot of sense to start over with something new. You're already doing everything and comfortable with the results. It works great! So why change to something to start all over. I'm new so this could be a good investment and then grow into the brewing, buying equipment and the like. Experimentation is what's the most fun, but not for a new brewer.
Thanks for replying back.

 

[Schlenkerla]

You already have a lot of equipment so it doesn't make a lot of sense to start over with something new. You're already doing everything and comfortable with the results. It works great! So why change to something to start all over. I'm new so this could be a good investment and then grow into the brewing, buying equipment and the like. Experimentation is what's the most fun, but not for a new brewer.
Thanks for replying back.

Good point.

I contemplated buying one in January. I have two old 8.5 gal brew buckets that will need to be replaced at some point. They're starting to get old.

I considered how much they want for one, and steered me away from that decision. I like the idea, and what it does, but not at that price point. I still tend to brew on a tight budget. I might come back to it later if the price comes down or if I want a conical bad enough. I'm sure that I'll shop around before spending a bunch money on one fermenter.

 

[Ghostrider513]

Yes, I think it does work as advertised. I've made two batches in it so far and both have turned out well. I did buy an inline filter because I dry hopped with pellets and no hop bags, that is a mistake, always use hop bags.
Bottling is super slick, especially if you use a bottling wand.
Harvesting yeast is a breeze.
Not having a separate bottling bucket is nice, especially in an apartment.

Heck, I kind of want a second one but I have no place to put it.

That's what i wanted to know. Especially about using bags instead of pellets. The company making this sells a one gallon kit I used to learn about brewing instead of going full on and spending money on stuff I don't know how to use. Their kits utilize a bag. Makes sense they use it for this. I guess I'll save up some money and buy this as my first big investment and because i like their kits. Eventually I'll feel comfortable creating my own recipes but for now, this will work. Thanks my friend.

 

[Schlenkerla]

Here's a 7 gallon conical. $60.99 Conical + 62.99 Stand = $124. What a deal!!

Plasticmart

 

[Schlenkerla]

They have drawings too!!! :rockin:

Tank Drawing

Stand Drawing

 

[Ghostrider513]

Okay. Good comparison item.

The issues I see with what you posted and Catalyst are a conical and stand vs a full system. this are the following:

6.5 Gallon Tank with Lid vs conical w/ lid
Stand (Base, 2 Legs, 2 Support Beams, 8 Screws) vs stand

INCLUDED ADD ONS
3” Proprietary Butterfly Valve
Bottling Attachment
Transfer Tubing
Tubing Clamp
Rubber Stopper
16 Oz. Wide Mouth Mason Jar
Allen Wrench

Naturally, I'm comparing this with Catalyst Fermentation System at $199.00 but I have seen it go for $175.00 and it's all inclusive. The other you posted has the conical and a stand.

From where I'm standing, they are about equal because of the extra items added to the Catalyst system. By the time you mess around getting other things, trying to get them to fit, shipping etc, it's a push. Catalyst seems like the better deal because of the parts all working together. Great that you posted this info though for comparison. Not too bad a price difference.

Here's a 7 gallon conical. $60.99 Conical + 62.99 Stand = $124. What a deal!!

Plasticmart

 

[Scottie61]

Wow... lots of whining about an ad. If it doesn't make sense from a features or price standpoint, then don't buy it. Move on.

I like the features of it, but could afford to wait for a deal, and Midwest had a 20% off deal going last month. So, with the price suddenly becoming $160, I now own one.

My main issue so far is the three or four hands it takes to get the top lid seal back on!

BTW -- It's pretty easy to carry when full, way easier and safer than a full glass carboy. I hate carrying and lifting full carboys!

Brewed an IPA this last weekend, and so am only 3 days into it, but so far so good. I wasn't able to leave any trub behind in the boil kettle, so we'll see how it handles the huge load of trub in this batch.

Otherwise, seems to have roughly the same issues that most conicals have (when to dump trub, when to harvest yeast, how to dry hop (use a bag or not), etc).

Maybe having a racking arm setup would be good sometime, but I can retrofit one with parts I have. For now I'm gonna use it as designed.

Scottie

 

[Scottie61]

Wow... lots of whining about an ad. If it doesn't make sense from a features or price standpoint, then don't buy it. Move on.

I like the features of the Catalyst Fermenter, but could afford to wait for a deal, and Midwest had a 20% off deal going last month. So, with the price suddenly becoming $160, I now own one.

My main issue so far is the three or four hands it takes to get the top lid seal back on!

BTW -- It's pretty easy to carry when full, way easier and safer than a full glass carboy.

Brewed an IPA this last weekend, and so am only 3 days into it, but so far so good. I wasn't able to leave any trub behind in the boil kettle, so we'll see how it handles the huge load of trub in this batch.

Otherwise, seems to have roughly the same issues that most conicals have (when to dump trub, when to harvest yeast, how to dry hop (use a bag or not), etc).

Maybe having a racking arm setup would be good sometime, but I can retrofit one with parts I have. For now I'm gonna use it as designed.

Scottie

 

[Scottie61]

repeated message deleted

 

[Scottie61]

Sorry, tried to delete my doubled message, but it wouldn't let me.

Scottie

 

[Schlenkerla]

Wow... lots of whining about an ad. If it doesn't make sense from a features or price standpoint, then don't buy it. Move on.

I like the features of the Catalyst Fermenter, but could afford to wait for a deal, and Midwest had a 20% off deal going last month. So, with the price suddenly becoming $160, I now own one.

My main issue so far is the three or four hands it takes to get the top lid seal back on!

BTW -- It's pretty easy to carry when full, way easier and safer than a full glass carboy.

Brewed an IPA this last weekend, and so am only 3 days into it, but so far so good. I wasn't able to leave any trub behind in the boil kettle, so we'll see how it handles the huge load of trub in this batch.

Otherwise, seems to have roughly the same issues that most conicals have (when to dump trub, when to harvest yeast, how to dry hop (use a bag or not), etc).

Maybe having a racking arm setup would be good sometime, but I can retrofit one with parts I have. For now I'm gonna use it as designed.

Scottie

The price point was my issue. $160 seems more attractive. However, I've been looking at a $200, 7 gallon stainless conical with a pick up tube.

 

[SHbrewing]

When I turn the value to release trub into the mason jar, it causes insane bubbles oxidizing the beer.

even with the lid off.

 

[Schlenkerla]

When I turn the value to release trub into the mason jar, it causes insane bubbles oxidizing the beer.

even with the lid off.

I have always wondered about that. Can you fill the jar with distilled water then pop it open?

 

[ender21]

I didn't get CraftABrew's feedback on this, as their videos clearly show air releasing into the fermenting wort, but someone on the Facebook Catalyst page suggested using the bottler attachment to pre-fill a mason jar with wort, then attaching that to the butterfly valve prior to re-opening back into the wort, which should thereby limit the amount of air releasing into the conical.
So, basically:
1. Taking mason jar full of trub and discard.
2. Attach bottling attachment to butterfly valve.
3. Fill new mason jar with wort from bottling attachment.
4. Detach bottling attachment
5. Attach wort-filled mason jar and re-open valve.
6. Voila..?

 

[BeardedBrews]

4. Detach bottling attachment
5. Attach wort-filled mason jar and re-open valve.
6. Voila..?

There will continue to be open space between the butterfly valve and the jar, even if the jar was completely full.

A commercial brewery would transfer the yeast into a purged and vented container while maintaining some CO2 pressure on the conical. This makes sure that nothing from outside the conical will be going back in.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKERsM4fGaE[/ame]

 

[8rnw8]

Anyone know anything about the new stainless steel catalyst? Super curious about the price point and features. Looks like it has a sample valve in addition to the mason jar dump valve one the bottom.