A Canning Machine for $1,500?

“I'm just curious about whether there are any of you homebrewers who might consider buying a machine like this?” $1500 is more than I would be willing to pay for homebrewing equipment; especially for packaging.

A few comments:

I took note in the video two aspects of her growler canning technique: CO2 ‘purge’ and method of filling. I have seriously doubts that the manner in which she conducted a CO2 ‘purge’ was all that effective in expelling the air from the can. That can may have a bit less air than it would have otherwise but… I applaud the fact that she uses a plastic tube to conduct a bottom fill assuming that the tube was sanitized just prior to use and that she did not touch the portion of the tube that is inside the can.

I would suggest that if a homebrewer wanted to use this can seamer for canning their beers it would be optimal to go the can conditioning route. I personally view a crowler from a bar/brewpub as being just like a growler: the beer should be consumed with a day or so of filling.

Cheers!

 

@JackHorzempa is correct. That CO2 purge step was practically worthless. Of course, she could have waved the CO2 wand at the can all day and not have purged all the air, but I guess it's the thought that counts.

@Mothergoose03 I suppose it could be a viable way to package and carbonate (sugar prime) beer. But I don't see any advantages over bottling, and you can get into kegging for a whole lot less than $1500.

 

A fair chunk of my working time deals with making cans, including double-seaming ends on to cans. I've dealt with numerous situations regarding cans having unacceptable / abnormal spoilage rates because of tiny imperfections in the closing process. Although the tolerances for seaming maybe 1000 cans/yr aren't as stringent,
All that makes me not want one for a number of reasons, so I'm with @VikeMan on th
Sparky = Jolteon
Rainer = Vaporeon
Pyro = Flareon
is.

 

Oops. With @VikeMan on this one.

 

your auto correct is high.

Back on topic, there is a mobile canning company that will do a five gallon batch for $50 around here. I've thought about utilizing their service for Christmas gifts.

 

I like it. I am surprised, but I do.
For the homebrewer, this is the answer to a question nobody is asking. That much is painfully obvious. Cornelius. Glass bottles. Enough said.

But for the small brewer/tavern this little device is pretty nifty. If they can get the oxygen purge to something more than window dressing all the better. Don't sell it as long term packaging and it really is better than a glass growler. And at $1500 why not?

No glass. No light struck beer, way more sanitary, accepted at the beach and concerts... good all around. and yeah, sanitation is one of the biggest problems with growlers. people are lazy and beer suffers.

$1500 is acceptable even for the smallest ma and pa operation. Get some generic cans that can be labeled with a sharpie and it is all very appealing.

Honestly, I never thought I would be for the latest "improvement" to draft beer. Not ever. But I am intrigued.
Cheers.

 

It s genuinely disturbing and disheartening when an individual that is trying to present their product so miserably falls flat. Her oxygen purging attempt appears to be nothing more than a waste of time and CO2. Maybe she thought CO2 is pixie dust that magically makes oxygen disappear with a mere stroke of the magic wand? Pathetic.

If the manufacturer can't be bothered with this most important procedure it does not bode well for the rest of the product. Who taught these people selling a beer packaging machine how to package beer? Wow!

 

Don't forget Espeon and Umbreon.

 

There's a guy on Youtube who bought one and did a review about what he likes and doesn't like about it. If I had an extra $1500 to play around with I think I'd pick one up. Canned homebrew at the beach, golf course, or any other place bottles are not allowed would be worth it to me

 

I could see a club purchasing one of these for members to use.

 

I like the idea, but don't think I could every get this. Most of the reason have been stated. Although it gives me an idea to help speed up my bottling day, if I can work something out.

 

As a homebrewer there's no way I'd buy this. It's not just a $1500 investment because you also have to use new cans every time you use it.

In bottling I can reuse the same bottles again and again. I have never bought bottles because I just reuse the bottles that commercial beer came in that I would have been buying and drinking anyways.

For a homebrewer the costs are $1500 plus approximately $15 added onto every 5 gallon batch you do buying the blank cans from the company.

For bars or nano breweries I could see it being more feasible... But I can't see any reason crowlers are better than growlers except for taking them to the beach or pool... But I have a great metal resealable growler for that.

 

Better than the one I saw fill crawlers in NC. A guy ordered 3. She picked three up with her fingers, like they were a bowling ball! The purge operation was similar. The fill was right from the tap, with excessive foaming, pour out some foam, fill again, repeat. She at least put the top on ample foam. After watching all of that, I said "not for me".

 

Jeff, I have only witnessed a crowler fill a couple of times but they were similar to what you described except for the fingers in the can part. The bartenders would fill up the can just like they were pouring a pint of beer and then sealing the top of the can. As I made mention above, these crowlers seem to be intended for quick consumption (1-2 days) just like a typical growler fill.

I am lucky that a number of local brewpubs have grower filling stations that perform a double CO2 evacuation (from the bottom) and then perform a counter-pressure fill. I suspect that this filling process could result in a longer shelf-life assuming the growler was very clean (sanitary). I can't provide any feedback specifically in this regard since I personally consume these growlers quickly. I have had two growler fills recently of Sly Fox Tettnang Keller Pils and those growlers were opened and fully consumed the next day.

Cheers!

 

Nice machine but where do you get cans.

 

They sell cans on their site as well....

 

Guess she wasn't aware that CO2 is heavier than air. I mean, you're going to lose some taking it from that hose to the taps but she didn't even try. I would say a lower pressure and filling from the bottom would be ideal, then maybe use the can lid to transport the can to the taps if you can't have the CO2 source closer.

 

I likewise don't see much use for this as a homebrewer, but could see the concept for a brewpub or nanobrewery.

I'm mainly chiming in because in all fairness to the canning machine company, the video of the lady demonstrating it appears to be just a regular bartender and not a representative for the company. Maybe they have some other recommended way to purge oxygen?

 

Well the canning machines website has a different video. In that one when they purge with CO2 at least the can is not upside down and it looks like she got the CO2 wand inside the can. Otherwise I'm not to sure how different the technique is.

http://oktoberdesign.com/