Thanks for the in-depth look at this machine. I'm an early Kickstarter backer and excited to get my machine sometime this year, hopefully soon! I'm not sure if you are aware, but after they ramp production on this unit (the F1 for Fermentation), they will be designing and making a B1 ("Boiling") unit so we can brew from grain. The original team wanted to make it all one unit but were unable to complete the project, so the current team split this into two units. Kickstarter backers will get both units but I suspect it will be quite a while before we see the B1. Nevertheless, it should make for an interesting combo and in the meantime the reviews I've seen of the beer brewed with the current system have been like yours - better than expected results. Great!
That is pretty cool! Appreciate the insider info! We have actually be going back and for a lot with iGulu, and despite some initial challenges, they have been very responsive, and are clearly very passionate about the product.
I crowdfunded this in 2016, as others have said with a full grain to glass machine in mind, still the fact that they are still delivering 8 years later speaks to how much they care about this market. Looking forward to having mine on the bench and with master mode it’s primed for mead imo
As one of the early backers through crowdfunding, I appreciate this review. My unit showed up the other day but they did not include any kits. So once I get a couple kits in, I'll give this a run. I really hope they open up custom brewing soon as I would love to experiment with some small batches. I will probably take the kit to my local homebrewing store and have them reverse-engineer a couple kits for me. 😆
YES, I am excited for their app to be updated, and the master brewing to be unlocked. TBH, it would not be too hard to create your own recipes! PLEASE let me know how your brews go!
The recipe reminds me of the old "Beer Machine". I never owned one but I remember the videos appeared to be a no boil, cold fermentation with dry ingredients. If they are controlling the fermentation a bit more, that would make a big difference.
With the iGulu, temps are controlled within a few degrees of the target ferm temps, and adjustable depending on what yeast you are using. Its pretty cool.
I have an f1 unit that the CEO David brought me here in Las Vegas. The unit doesn't seem to be functioning properly, it is stuck on 32 degrees for over a week already. I tried the reset feature but I also have no way of getting the app since it is not on the play store. I have contacted the igulu support with no response yet.
Huh. Good to know that the app isn't out for android. (but to be honest.. the app is NOT great. Most if it is in Chinese, and its actually better to just use the unit directly.). Please keep me posted on the iGulu support. I've been having issues getting a response from them (or at least, they are very delayed responses), so I have concerns about support/customer service. I'm hoping, since they just started shipping units in January, that they will beef up support. Thanks for the feedback!
It is a nice unit, but $20 is a lot of money for a six pack. I have been a serious brewer for ten years And I have seen many of these gimmicks come around, none successful. I like the temp control a lot. It would be great to be able to brew your own beer (5-6 gal), and have a device like this to control the temp.
Yeah, the PicoBrew sadly didn't make it (although it was an all grain machine). Also, its actually closer to $20 for a 10 pack. $2 a bottle is not bad when you consider its a fermenter, and a kegerator. Plus being able to brew your own recipes on it (hopefully coming soon). For me, the drawback is the limited size of the batches. We went through the first batch VERY quickly (but props to them for making such a tasty kit). Def something that's marketed to someone with limited space that wants fresh homebrew without too much fussing about.
I paid for on IndieGo years ago and VOILA , it showed up this week. It was supposed to be all grain capable at the time. Watching your video, it makes me wonder about brewing a wort and then just using the igulu for fermentation/serving. Any thoughts on that? Are bar codes available for a variety of fermentation profiles without buying kits to get?
You could def do that. I am an all grain brewer, who has not done extract in years. But, with the iGulu, I've been playing around with extract again. (video coming out soon on brewing your own beer... not their kits). The iGulu does have some stock fermentation profiles built in that should get you going without issue (no need to use the app). I recently unlocked Master Mode, which allows you to dial in exact temp and time for fermentation. Just did a Kviek ferment, and had the iGulu heat it to 90 F.
Is there a way to dump the trub/yeast cake that settles in the fermentor before cold crashing and serving? If not, seems this reduces the amount of beer available to less than a gallon and would easily get stirred up when serving.
@@BenhamBrewing Can you share how you unlocked the master mode? It isn't clear to me how I do that. I'm just getting back from some travels and getting geared up to try mine out for the first time.
@@placesspaces Master Mode is an RFID card that you can purchase from iGulu. You scan it like the recipe kits on the side of the iGulu, and it unlocks full software features. Its odd though, I see it on their website, but no option to add it to cart, or what current pricing is. They were sending the cards out for free to some users (not sure if they were kickstarters). I would shoot them an email to see what the options are. support@igulu.com
@@BenhamBrewing Thanks - I gave them a call and they agreed to send me the Master Mode RFID -- I am a crowdfunding backer and I have the idea they will provide this without charge to all crowdfunding backers
Wow! It’s back! This was first released back in 2016. Novelty appliance in my opinion. Lots of promotion going on. This would not be my entry point into home brewing. Again just my opinion.
@@chrissmith3222 I've never had that beer! Not sure if I can source it in the US, but stay tuned for a brewing video and recipe! Love brewing beers that can't be gotten locally!
Calling your test grain to glass is a bit misleading :) I loved the idea of the initial machine having the full process in one go. Also the kegs looked like an actual keg. Maybe take a look at the old footage and check that out. For me this is more a pimped perfect draft as it doesn't really do a lot. The way it works right now it seems more like a beer Nespresso machine 😁 Stuffing bags of powder in there seems a bit weak to brag in front of your friends 😜 Really looking forward to the master mode.
Yeah, after we shot the video, we decided it WAS a bit misleading, so we changed the title to "iGulu to Glass". You can put actual kegs in the iGulu (like the Heineken mini kegs). They are supposed to be updating the app to allow custom fermentation profiles. I def equate this to something like a bread machine. Beer is surprisingly good, but very "input ingredients, press start".
@@BenhamBrewing yes and all iGulu will have the almost identical outcome for now. For the keg I meant the ones that where supposed to go in the original machine looked kind of nicer, this one is more like a big plastic blob which is not so appealing to the eye, but that's maybe just me 😀 Did you try to bottle it up, would that be possible? Can you get it out flat or can we open the container and put a pump in it to fill it in bottles and let it carbonize in the closed bottles after? Or is it by default carbonized in the tank and that wouldn't be an option? As filling it in bottles from the tap it would definitely get too much oxygen?
Thanks for the in-depth look at this machine. I'm an early Kickstarter backer and excited to get my machine sometime this year, hopefully soon! I'm not sure if you are aware, but after they ramp production on this unit (the F1 for Fermentation), they will be designing and making a B1 ("Boiling") unit so we can brew from grain. The original team wanted to make it all one unit but were unable to complete the project, so the current team split this into two units. Kickstarter backers will get both units but I suspect it will be quite a while before we see the B1. Nevertheless, it should make for an interesting combo and in the meantime the reviews I've seen of the beer brewed with the current system have been like yours - better than expected results. Great!
That is pretty cool! Appreciate the insider info! We have actually be going back and for a lot with iGulu, and despite some initial challenges, they have been very responsive, and are clearly very passionate about the product.
I crowdfunded this in 2016, as others have said with a full grain to glass machine in mind, still the fact that they are still delivering 8 years later speaks to how much they care about this market. Looking forward to having mine on the bench and with master mode it’s primed for mead imo
Keep me posted on when you get yours, and how you like it!
Minibrew (exobrew) looks better imo. You can also only take the keg and make all grain and fill the keg.
Wow! the Minibrew does look SWEET! Bit of sticker shock though (but it does do more). Maybe I'll see if they will send us a unit, lol!
As one of the early backers through crowdfunding, I appreciate this review. My unit showed up the other day but they did not include any kits. So once I get a couple kits in, I'll give this a run. I really hope they open up custom brewing soon as I would love to experiment with some small batches. I will probably take the kit to my local homebrewing store and have them reverse-engineer a couple kits for me. 😆
YES, I am excited for their app to be updated, and the master brewing to be unlocked. TBH, it would not be too hard to create your own recipes! PLEASE let me know how your brews go!
The recipe reminds me of the old "Beer Machine". I never owned one but I remember the videos appeared to be a no boil, cold fermentation with dry ingredients. If they are controlling the fermentation a bit more, that would make a big difference.
With the iGulu, temps are controlled within a few degrees of the target ferm temps, and adjustable depending on what yeast you are using. Its pretty cool.
How is the cleanup? Probably the most time intensive part of home brewing. Maybe another video idea after your next brew.
You got it! Stay tuned for that video!
I have an f1 unit that the CEO David brought me here in Las Vegas. The unit doesn't seem to be functioning properly, it is stuck on 32 degrees for over a week already. I tried the reset feature but I also have no way of getting the app since it is not on the play store. I have contacted the igulu support with no response yet.
Huh. Good to know that the app isn't out for android. (but to be honest.. the app is NOT great. Most if it is in Chinese, and its actually better to just use the unit directly.). Please keep me posted on the iGulu support. I've been having issues getting a response from them (or at least, they are very delayed responses), so I have concerns about support/customer service. I'm hoping, since they just started shipping units in January, that they will beef up support. Thanks for the feedback!
Did you ever hear back from iGulu about your issue? How was their service?
It is a nice unit, but $20 is a lot of money for a six pack. I have been a serious brewer for ten years And I have seen many of these gimmicks come around, none successful. I like the temp control a lot. It would be great to be able to brew your own beer (5-6 gal), and have a device like this to control the temp.
Yeah, the PicoBrew sadly didn't make it (although it was an all grain machine). Also, its actually closer to $20 for a 10 pack. $2 a bottle is not bad when you consider its a fermenter, and a kegerator. Plus being able to brew your own recipes on it (hopefully coming soon). For me, the drawback is the limited size of the batches. We went through the first batch VERY quickly (but props to them for making such a tasty kit). Def something that's marketed to someone with limited space that wants fresh homebrew without too much fussing about.
Small batches don't last long. A five gallon counter top model would be a winner. @@BenhamBrewing
I paid for on IndieGo years ago and VOILA , it showed up this week. It was supposed to be all grain capable at the time. Watching your video, it makes me wonder about brewing a wort and then just using the igulu for fermentation/serving. Any thoughts on that? Are bar codes available for a variety of fermentation profiles without buying kits to get?
You could def do that. I am an all grain brewer, who has not done extract in years. But, with the iGulu, I've been playing around with extract again. (video coming out soon on brewing your own beer... not their kits). The iGulu does have some stock fermentation profiles built in that should get you going without issue (no need to use the app). I recently unlocked Master Mode, which allows you to dial in exact temp and time for fermentation. Just did a Kviek ferment, and had the iGulu heat it to 90 F.
Is there a way to dump the trub/yeast cake that settles in the fermentor before cold crashing and serving? If not, seems this reduces the amount of beer available to less than a gallon and would easily get stirred up when serving.
@@BenhamBrewing Can you share how you unlocked the master mode? It isn't clear to me how I do that. I'm just getting back from some travels and getting geared up to try mine out for the first time.
@@placesspaces Master Mode is an RFID card that you can purchase from iGulu. You scan it like the recipe kits on the side of the iGulu, and it unlocks full software features. Its odd though, I see it on their website, but no option to add it to cart, or what current pricing is. They were sending the cards out for free to some users (not sure if they were kickstarters). I would shoot them an email to see what the options are. support@igulu.com
@@BenhamBrewing Thanks - I gave them a call and they agreed to send me the Master Mode RFID -- I am a crowdfunding backer and I have the idea they will provide this without charge to all crowdfunding backers
Wow! It’s back! This was first released back in 2016. Novelty appliance in my opinion. Lots of promotion going on. This would not be my entry point into home brewing. Again just my opinion.
Yeah, its more geared towards people who are less technical from a brewing perspective (with limited space, and disposable income, lol)
can i make VB in it
Sorry, what’s VB?
@@BenhamBrewing the finest beer on the planet victoria bitter aka virtual bliss aka very best
@@BenhamBrewing VB is a very popular Australian beer.
@@chrissmith3222 I've never had that beer! Not sure if I can source it in the US, but stay tuned for a brewing video and recipe! Love brewing beers that can't be gotten locally!
@@BenhamBrewing i suppose the question is can you brew what ever you want in the igulu thing or are you stuck with their recipes ?
Calling your test grain to glass is a bit misleading :)
I loved the idea of the initial machine having the full process in one go. Also the kegs looked like an actual keg. Maybe take a look at the old footage and check that out. For me this is more a pimped perfect draft as it doesn't really do a lot. The way it works right now it seems more like a beer Nespresso machine 😁
Stuffing bags of powder in there seems a bit weak to brag in front of your friends 😜
Really looking forward to the master mode.
Yeah, after we shot the video, we decided it WAS a bit misleading, so we changed the title to "iGulu to Glass". You can put actual kegs in the iGulu (like the Heineken mini kegs). They are supposed to be updating the app to allow custom fermentation profiles. I def equate this to something like a bread machine. Beer is surprisingly good, but very "input ingredients, press start".
@@BenhamBrewing yes and all iGulu will have the almost identical outcome for now. For the keg I meant the ones that where supposed to go in the original machine looked kind of nicer, this one is more like a big plastic blob which is not so appealing to the eye, but that's maybe just me 😀
Did you try to bottle it up, would that be possible?
Can you get it out flat or can we open the container and put a pump in it to fill it in bottles and let it carbonize in the closed bottles after?
Or is it by default carbonized in the tank and that wouldn't be an option? As filling it in bottles from the tap it would definitely get too much oxygen?
Soon as you mentioned malt extract I lost interest I'm afraid.
Sadly, this iGulu model only does extract... but they are supposed to be releasing a unit that does all grain!