Top Tier vs. B3 1550

[gjabball]

I want to purchase a new brewing system in the next few months and am starting to do my research. I have read the debates between the 1550 and brew magic. At 7k, I just don't think the brew magic is worth that in my opinion. I have no welding skills and would like to buy an already built system so I can focus on brewing. I am looking at the Top Tier with the Tower of Power with controllers on the MT and HLT or the B3 1550 with the SMART package. I don't post much on here but read the forum every day. I wanted to see what everyone thinks. I have been brewing with coolers for 5 years and want a more consistent mash temp.

 

[rwinzing]

I just bought the Top Tier system a little over a week ago. I am like you not a real DYI person and wanted something I could brew with out of the box. I am a huge Blichmann fan I know you will have a lot of people tell you they are over priced. I felt when pricing things out it wasn't a ton more. I have three burners, pump, chiller, I also bought two 10 gallon kettles one with the false bottom and sparage arm. I have a keggle for my third kettle. I fully intend to get the tower of power set up as soon as I save the money. I have brewed three beers on the system and it is night and day as far as I am concerned vs. my cooler single burner setup. It is very easy to set up. It takes some time to get it right but it is easy to do. I love it more every time I use it and I am trying to figure out ways to save some cash to get the Tower of Power. So my vote is for the Top Tier.

Good luck and PM me if you have some more in debt questions. Cheers

 

[AmandaK]

Blichmann is much higher quality product. Trust me, they have the B3 system in house and they improved on it.

 

[gjabball]

They improved the B3 system? Are you talking about the quality of the kettles? I assume pumps are the same. Better burners? Just trying to see what is better.

 

[AmandaK]

Quality of kettles, quality of materials, more thought into the design, etc, etc.

I had the distinct opportunity to hang out with the Blichmann guys at NHC this year and pick their brains. They own a lot of More Beer products (and other competitors) simply so they can improve and make sure they're ahead of the game.

 

[gjabball]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone have a 1550 and like it better than the top tier? I have been saving for a long time and want to make sure I am getting the best system for the money.

 

[BrewThruYou]

gja, did you price out everything to make them comparable? Seems like there are so many options on each...

 

[gjabball]

B3 1550 with every option: $5,300.00 (I can pick it up)

Top Tier with tower of power, 2X controllers and Kettles: $4,200.00

I just want to get the best system I can. I can afford either. I wanted to see what all of you thought about each of them. I don't see a lot of comparison threads about these two.

 

[rwinzing]

I think what you will find is there is no wrong choice. You will love which ever you choose. There are not a lot of people who are able to plunk down the coin for either so not a ton of comparison out there. I love my Blichmann Top Tier but I am sure I would have been equally happy if I went the other way!

 

[gjabball]

Got it. Thanks for all your replies. I saved for a couple years to get this system. I just want to make the right choice.