The Beer Machine Model 2000
by The Beer Machine
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List Price: Our Price: $99.95 You Save: $12.05 (11%) Availability: Usually ships in 6-10 business days Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of The Beer Machine Model 2000
Customer Review: I did it -- I made great BEER!
Summary: 5 Stars
What can I say -- it works! The trickiest part is assembling the unit so as to contain pressure. I had to assemble it twice to get it right, but the patience paid off. Once you are past that hurdle, the rest is simple. My beer feremnted quickly and clarified nicely. The directions are straightforward. The beer tasted real good, like a true microbrew. Very clean and light with a distinct hoppy aftertaste. And the stock formula had quite an alcohol kick! Wow.
The unit suggests bleach cleaning but everyone else on the web says "beware". I picked up some formulas and one step cleaners from Mr. Beer that should work fine in the Beer Machine.
Customer Review: I like my beer machine
Summary: 4 Stars
I've read all the posts here and I'm puzzled by those who call it junk. I've been brewing in my machine for several years and I'm considering a 2nd machine so that I don't have to wait for my batch to finish to enjoy good beer economically.
To be certain, one must get the process down to an art. By now I don't much have to think about what I'm doing, I just do it and complete my work in about 40 minutes. Learning curve issues are these: you must do the pressure test. My first batch I thought I'd save some time by skipping that. Not good. I ruined the batch because the seal wasn't good. The seal is the most important thing to get right. Do it carefully and triple check your work. My first few batches I had some difficulty getting the seal right, but now I virtually never have a seal issue because I've got the process down. An important tip to getting the seal right is to make sure the seal is dry before you try to apply it to the seating. I've never gotten a good seal when trying to apply it with even a drop of water anywhere on the seal. Just make sure it is completely dry and you'll be a much more successful and happier brewer.
Once you've done your pressure test it gets pretty easy. Do your sanitizing, (I use a bit of bleach with a 1/3 keg of water and rinse it well) and then add the room temp water about 1/3 full the add the mix and then complete the fill of room temp water. I have found that if I use water that is a smidgen warmer than room temp that I'll get a quicker fermentation process. I've got that part down to where it will be bubbling in about 8 hours after mixing. I imagine that if you use water that is too warm you can create problems. Generally in three days the fermentation subsides, but it can be as long as 5 days. Each batch depends on what you do temp wise. Then I chill it for at least 3 days, but you'll get much better clarity in 5 days. I just can't wait that long.
Equipment issues: I had to replace a seal once in several years. I think that is pretty reasonable. The co2 unit, on the other hand, I replace about everty 15-20 batches because the unit seems to let the cartridge bleed itself empty after it gets old. Perhaps there is a solution to that, but I haven't found one.
Beer quality: I'm a beer snob. This is good tasting beer, it really is, and I think I've tried all the mixes. There is a down side however. The beer tends to be flatter than I would like it to be. I called the manufacturer to see if perhaps I was doing something wrong and his response was that it is supposed to be that way. I disagree with his assesment that beer is supposed to be that way, but whatever. I tolerate the low carbonation because the taste is good enough to overlook that aspect.
Oh, I recommend a spare bathtub to put your batch in while brewing, just in case you have a seal issue. Also you can control the temp better there. I use a space heater and pull the shower curtain closed to keep the temp around 75F. The bathroom smells like fresh bread, mmmm. Using the spare bathtub doesn't thrill my other half, but we have an understanding.
To those who have harsh words for this machine I can only surmise that they didn't have the patience to get it right. Yes I had a couple of frustrating mishaps in my first few batches, but it is clear sailing now. To call this junk is a complete misrepresentation IMHO.
After several years of using the Beer Machine I would not hesitate to recommend it to the patient learner.
Customer Review: I'd recommend it to beer monsters everywhere!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the best ideas I had for my husband, ever. He's a proper beer monster, and it has brought him great joy to be brewing his own beer.
Initially, I was worried... you see it on tv all the time; a couple of friends decide to turn their shed or outhouse into a brewery, which always ends up in disaster... I was convinced he would blow up the house, or at least the spare bathroom!
I have to say that the Beer Machine 2000 makes it so simple, and the pressure gauge on it lessened my concerns of any eruptions. He has beer... the house is still standing... he's a happy camper... what more can I say? ;)
Customer Review: Makes Great Beer!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Followed the instructions and 7 days later I had delicious micro-brew tasting beer at <40 cents a glass. Better than spending $8 a six pack here in Hawaii.
Biggest problem is plowing through 28 beers fast enough to try out the next recipe...I guess I'll have to put up with that one (or buy the bottling kit).
Customer Review: One Success in Many Tries
Summary: 1 Stars
Not happy with this product. While I do like the beer mixes associated with this gizmo (makes me feel like I'm a real home-brewer but keeps to my short attention span), the keg itself is poor. Keeping it sealed is extremely difficult; the clamps stretch, requiring a variety of work-arounds (my final attempt involved a dozen C-clamps). I've had it leak on so many tries that I invariably put it in the bathtub for fermentation. If they had made the top lid bigger, and made the keg a single piece, it would be a good design--in it's current setup...lousy!
I have cannibalized the keg, and now use the internal float (that keeps you from drawing sludge into your glass) and the CO2 cartridge adapter (which has standard threads) for use in my new setup.
Do yourself a favor and spend the same amount on a used corny keg...