[tommymorris]

Users then add yeast and refrigerate the brew to let it ferment.

The 5-liter kegs that the Pico produces can fit on a standard refrigerator shelf, another thing customers asked for.

Presumably it will be temperature-controlled with a heating element.

If they temp control the ferment they will really have something. At that point it will be hard for a newbie to screw up.

[toby]

Isn't it already a "My K-Cup" solution? You load the grain and hops and program the recipe, right?

If there was a 5 gal version (and I had the money), I'd be all over one of these. Wort production is a chore.

The Zymatic is closer to that, but for a ~2.5-3 gallon batch size, it's way expensive.  $500 for something that does a ~1.25 gallon batch size is much more reasonable, and I would be thinking more along the lines of pilot testing recipes before going to my bigger system.  Another use would be for competitions.

[narcout]

It appears that the boys at PicoBrew applied for and were granted patents on most of its design.  I am certain that a patent attorney could find loopholes, but it looks like they own this market for the foreseeable  future.

There are already similar products being developed. 

Brewie: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/brewie-world-s-first-fully-automated-home-brewery#/

MiniBrew: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/minibrew-the-easiest-smartest-brewing-machine#/

[Stevie]

Minibrew is $2k. Dutch engineering has a premium I guess.

[S. cerevisiae]

There are already similar products being developed. 

Brewie: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/brewie-world-s-first-fully-automated-home-brewery#/

MiniBrew: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/minibrew-the-easiest-smartest-brewing-machine#/

Not after these ventures get a visit from PicoBrew's legal team!  It pays to perform a patent search before attempting to enter another company's market.

[denny]

Users then add yeast and refrigerate the brew to let it ferment.

The 5-liter kegs that the Pico produces can fit on a standard refrigerator shelf, another thing customers asked for.

Presumably it will be temperature-controlled with a heating element.

If they temp control the ferment they will really have something. At that point it will be hard for a newbie to screw up.

Sure, if you buy a KegSmarts! 

[AmandaK]

They already hit the $200,000 goal. Jesus!

There is clearly a market for this. 

[denny]

They already hit the $200,000 goal. Jesus!

There is clearly a market for this. 

They have a huge worldwide market.

[Stevie]

I'd be interested at that price point if I could brew whatever I want. At the same time, I get that the price is low as the real money is in the kits. $2k for the Zymatic is too rich for my blood. If I ever move into a closet sized apartment, I'd like change my mind.

[AmandaK]

They already hit the $200,000 goal. Jesus!

There is clearly a market for this. 

They have a huge worldwide market.

I never did zoom out on the 'now brewing' page until now. Dang. 
https://www.picobrew.com/About/whatsbrewing.cshtml

[a10t2]

I never did zoom out on the 'now brewing' page until now. Dang. 
https://www.picobrew.com/About/whatsbrewing.cshtml

Shame I'll never get to try "Jim's 85 Degree Ferment APA"...

[bluesman]

I need one in my kitchen.  It's got a cool factor going on.  If I only had the time to use it.   

 

[Thirsty_Monk]

I need one in my kitchen.  It's got a cool factor going on.  If I only had the time to use it.   

 

How true. Welcome to my world.

[hopfenundmalz]

There are already similar products being developed. 

Brewie: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/brewie-world-s-first-fully-automated-home-brewery#/

MiniBrew: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/minibrew-the-easiest-smartest-brewing-machine#/

Not after these ventures get a visit from PicoBrew's legal team!  It pays to perform a patent search before attempting to enter another company's market.

Too bad their crack legal staff didn't find that Mike O'Brien had been selling pico-brewing half barrel rims systems from the late 90s. He had common law trademark rights, could have raised a stink, but that is not his style. Many in the Midwest have Mike's systems, including me and some guy named Gordon.

[brewday]

Many in the Midwest have Mike's systems, including me and some guy named Gordon.

Thought that rang a bell, now I remember it from BBB.