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Author Topic: Beer Machine  (Read 1823 times)

Offline kchill10

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Beer Machine
« on: December 13, 2010, 01:26:58 am »
I'm really new to this and want to buy my first home brewing kit but I was wondering if anyone knows if the Beer Machine 2006 model really works? Or should I just get like a True Brew type of kit with buckets?

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Beer Machine
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2010, 01:46:16 am »
I haven't used one, so I don't know for sure.  I'm skeptical though, that you can really get high quality beer out of it.  IMO you're better off buying a starter kit like this one.  I think you'll get a better end product with the kits available in 5-gallon sizes that include steeping grains, plus if you want you can have some (or total) control over your grains, hops, and yeast.  A pure extract batch where everything is already done for you is like soup from a can.  Not that I never eat soup from a can, sometimes it is a matter of expedience - but I prefer homemade.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline beerocd

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Re: Beer Machine
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2010, 05:59:38 am »
MrBeer would be smarter I think. I'd guess their extract is fresher because they sell so many kits. You'll end up tweaking the batches to get better beer and in the end you will be stepping up to regular extract brewing. So if you don't think 5 gallons at a time is too much go straight to the bigger kits. More choices and it's cheaper brewing the bigger kits.
The moral majority, is neither.

Offline richardt

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Re: Beer Machine
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2010, 07:11:42 am »
Mr. Beer is how many of us got started.  It gets my vote because it takes up so little space when you're not using it.  (I stored all my gear inside the empty vessel).  It's also good to have around for small, experimental batches, so it never truly gets retired even when you've moved on to larger All-Grain batches.  My favorite thing, though is the tap on the Mr Beer Keg.  Once fermentation is done, you just prime the bottles with table sugar and dispense the beer from the tap right into your bottles and cap and condition for a couple of weeks.  You don't need all the extra equipment other than sanitizers, a hydrometer, a thermometer, and a capper (and crowns).

Offline oscarvan

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Re: Beer Machine
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2010, 07:34:33 pm »
Funny... while researching this insanity before I dove in I never saw this one. Looking at it now...... naaaah. I would pass. Get the starter kit at your local home brew store, and get a malt extract kit. You see, the equipment you buy can be used later in the more advanced versions of the process. Not sure the Mr Beer kit would come back to use.....
Wooden Shoe Brew Works (not a commercial operation) Bethlehem, PA
http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/WSBW/WSBW_All_grain_Setup.html
I brew WITH style..... not necessarily TO style.....

Offline euge

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Re: Beer Machine
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2010, 11:58:39 pm »
I'm really new to this and want to buy my first home brewing kit but I was wondering if anyone knows if the Beer Machine 2006 model really works? Or should I just get like a True Brew type of kit with buckets?

It will work but the starter kit is far better if you seriously want to delve into brewing. And don't get the notion that extract brewing is inferior. By all means get an extract kit or build a suggested recipe. Enjoy!

The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Beer Machine
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2010, 12:43:01 am »
Extract isn't inferior, but I think the way the Beer Machine does it is.  When you just add water and stir like that then you are pretty much locked in to whatever the kit came with.  You could tweak the kit, but they're probably not going to tell you how to do that or sell the ingredients to do so.  That's why I think the starter kit from a local or online homebrew shop is a better choice.  You'll get started on the right foot, with a lot more choices for the types of kits you buy.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline kchill10

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Re: Beer Machine
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2010, 01:56:25 am »
Thanks for your help guys, I can't wait to start brewing but not with the beer machine. I'll start looking for a budget friendly kit!