[theDarkSide]

After launch day discounts, who the hell is going to pay $8500 for a 10 gallon system?  Even pro-brewers aren't spending that on a pilot system.

I guess we'll see later today when they release it.

[Wilbur]

https://www.picobrew.com/Store/products/Z.cshtml

It looks interesting, but man, for that price...You can by a new Sabco brewmagic ($7k), brew more per batch, and have some money left over. Based on the classifieds you can also get used systems with a few fermenters!

I'm sure there'll still be plenty of bigger craft breweries that can justify the cost though, a pilot system is only worthwhile if you have someone to run it. Another brewer costs a lot more than $8.5k.

[reverseapachemaster]

More info

https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/12/picobrew-z-series-homebrew-beer/

That is one expensive brewing system.

[ukbrewer]

Not sure how you increase modules down the road if the z1 runs on 120v and the z2 needs 240v. But yes that is pricey.

[denny]

One of my questions would be lead time. Is this a prepared product they will be producing and shipping with reasonable lead time? Or a kickstarter sequel experience where it could be a year?

Shipping July 1.

[denny]

Not sure how you increase modules down the road if the z1 runs on 120v and the z2 needs 240v. But yes that is pricey.

I don't think it's out of line for the intended market.

[ukbrewer]

Denny,

Any idea how they are handling the increase from 120v to 240v if you add on a unit later to go from 2.5g (Z1) ro 5g (Z2)? Can you even add units/modules later? I don't think either are addressed.

[pacerra]

One of my questions would be lead time. Is this a prepared product they will be producing and shipping with reasonable lead time? Or a kickstarter sequel experience where it could be a year?

I just upgraded my zymatic to the new z I expect delivery in the summer. The company has done well by me with the original zymatic. If anyone is interested this is a $50 coupon code valid through mid March.

 KZ5NK

https://www.picobrew.com/Store/products/z.cshtml

[narvin]

Well, now that I can finally see what it looks like... this is groan-worthy.  Data centers scale horizontally because that's how software works, but why in the world would you want 4 separate mashes?  I know they likely did this for the buzzwords to get funding, but it's not even literally horizontal.  Horizontal vertical scalability!

[denny]

Denny,

Any idea how they are handling the increase from 120v to 240v if you add on a unit later to go from 2.5g (Z1) ro 5g (Z2)? Can you even add units/modules later? I don't think either are addressed.

Nope, no idea.  You could email support@picobrew.com for an answer.

[denny]

Well, now that I can finally see what it looks like... this is groan-worthy.  Data centers scale horizontally because that's how software works, but why in the world would you want 4 separate mashes?  I know they likely did this for the buzzwords to get funding, but it's not even literally horizontal.  Horizontal vertical scalability!

Maybe you don't, but a lot of the customers this is aimed at do. 

[Stevie]

I don’t get the way they scaled it either. The only advantage i see is using less bins if the mash isn’t too large.

[denny]

I don’t get the way they scaled it either. The only advantage i see is using less bins if the mash isn’t too large.

Keep in mind that a lot of the focus of this product is restaurants and other commercial operations like that.

[The Beerery]

Geez for all that money, you could pay me to come brew for you, and HSA the F out of it.

[erockrph]

Geez for all that money, you could pay me to come brew for you, and HSA the F out of it.

I actually wondered if you could seal one of these up in a CO2 purged keezer before running it.