Brewbot

I wish I had people giving me $2000 xmas gifts.

Also - http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/brewbot-smartphone-powered-homebrew-kit.118597/

I don't believe its the first of its kind, but it's presented in an attractive package.

 

I wasn't

It's a cool-looking design though and the iphone software is obviously the way to go. We are currently looking into a control board that would allow such control for when we upgrade to fully electric.

 

The one guy they interview in the video makes an odd comment though - "... I want something that will handle most of the difficult parts... and I get to do the fun stuff like pick my hops that I'm going to add..."

Say what? Last time I brewed, I did the fun stuff well before brew day.

 

I think it has some kinks to work out as well, most notable from what I can tell, the recirculating mash, which looks as though it's just going to dump wort back into one spot and create a big channel.

 

Looks kind of like a glorified Mr. Beer to me... It seems to more emphasize how slick it is rather than explaining how it actually works. Does it even boil the beer? From the video it almost seems like it drains from the mash directly into the "fermenter". If it boils, does it boil inside the cabinet? That seems... odd. I have a hard time seeing this sort of push button brewing appealing to real homebrewers. In all fairness, the automation is neat, but the Mr. Coffee feel of the process leaves me skeptical.

 

"At the end of the process the wort filters through the plate cooler, cooling it from 100°C to under 22°C, now ready to ferment."