Anyone seen this? Not sure if I would like it or not…
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1708005089/picobrew-zymatic-the-automatic-beer-brewing-applia
Ya there was some banter about it last month. Seems like s bread machine to me. In my opinion it won’t make you a brewer.
+1
Another analogy. Player piano. Just load the song and push play. Bingo you are making music
Can you say, “Jetsons?” 
I can do one better than a picobrew. I just think of the beer I want to drink and then go to the store and buy it. No clean up or anything. I think I’ll call it the Beer-O-Matic. Just send my your money and I’ll give full procedures and a license (renewable annually).
I just thought about sending you money… did it work? If not I want my money back.
Now that’s funny!
I have brewed on the Zymatic dozens of times since October and it’s a good machine. As the brewer you’re responsible for fermentation and packaging.
Ask me any questions about it.
Cheers!
Annie
New article about the picobrew. It notes that Annie Johnson has been hired on.
Annie was on the Brewing Network’s Session a couple weeks ago (3/10/14)…a great interview. http://thebrewingnetwork.com/shows/1068
People are going to whine about this, but there are those out there with brew sculptures that are almost doing the same thing. Load water, grains, press some buttons and beer. I find this to be a great system for those in cold weather climates that don’t want to brew outside when it’s minus 4000F. A bit pricey for me, but I see no problem with it.
Agreed
“…and purists are pissed!”
guess I’m not a purist. I thought I was, but my reaction was “That’s nice” so I guess not. :
hardly pissed. It’s not for me but I’m happy for people to find things that make brewing more fun for them.
This line maybe sums up my feelings about this product and bread machines and…
[quote]It’s like asking whether anyone with an automatic drip coffee maker would continue to make it on the stovetop. They could … but why would they?
[/quote]
I have had drip coffee makers and nothing is stopping me from having another, it’s not like they are expensive. However I much prefer the coffee I make with a simple cone and my tea kettle. I think it is because i know how hot the water is each time and I don’t have to depend (and become complacent because of) a sensor or machine to keep track of that and then wonder why something is not right until I can find out how to calibrate the system, replace an element or whatever.
I purposely ignored the pot stirring and chose to focus on Annie joining their team. I’m sure there are loads of fascist that feel this is cheating. I think it is 1 - Neat, 2 - Expensive, and 3 - Not for me.
I would however enjoy some sort of automated hop addition machine. Thinking about making one out of an arduino. The trick will be getting it to hold up near a kettle and propane burner.
Here it was only minus 400F, we put on long underwear and fleece lined pants. 8)
Annie,
I have a few questions. I’ve been using pots, a cooler and burners for years, but I’m on the verge of building a system. So, this has my interest.
Where does the boil vent?
How does the wort cool? What temp does it typically cool to?
Other than the drawer, how do you clean the lines? Do you run cleaner and sanitizer through it?
Am I correct that it only does 2.5 gal batches? Are there plans for larger batches?
Thanks
It’s an interesting device and I see where it has its role for people who care more about the recipe creation and final product over the actual brewing process. Personally, I like having a greater level of flexibility than what the product offers so it wouldn’t be a good fit for me.
Is this the product that doesn’t reach an actual boil? That’s the only thing I am suspicious about.
I think so. IIRC, it circulates the wort over the hearing element back and forth from device to kettle.
+1. Not for me. Getting my hands on the process is kind of the whole point for me.