The Beer Machine - Maybe not the Best Start in Brewing.

Father's Day is around the corner in Australia. September 4 - next weekend to be precise. As usual, there is a lot of product on the market to entice the unwary into spending money to give gifts to we fathers.

Of course, most men (and pretty much women too!) like beer.

The idea of a microbrewery at home is such an appealing idea. In these days where MasterChef and the like tout the necessity for fancy skills in the kitchen it has also overflowed into other traditional areas of life - like beer.

I was in a major chain store earlier in the week and saw a pallet of Beer Machine. There was a tag on the side of packing that said "New... $14..." or words to that effect. I had a closer look and checked out the website. Looked like a nice bit of kit and worth a punt at that price. However, being a slightly more serious brewer, I also labelled it as 'tat'.

The reason I drew that conclusion is because everything from fermentation to forced CO2 carbonation occurs in the same vessel. That, and the total production volume per batch is '2.6 gal', or about ten litres. A usual batch of kits and bits is 21 litres, with some as low as 18 litres. Therefore, the low production volume and the production method cause me to retain the same opinion.

Walking back through that store today and seeing that the price was actually north of $120, the opinion that it is not good value was reinforced.

Those of you considering to choose that item as a gift for Father's Day for next week, or those fathers of you considering it as a gift to yourselves: I encourage you to look a little deeper. For about the same expense, you can gain the necessary equipment to make larger batches more economically and get a deeper insight into the brewing process - and perhaps join what is a lifelong hobby that you will find satisfying and creative.

For those who are satisfied with mega-swill (i.e. cheap Aussie crap beers, flavourless Euro lagers and that piss-weak American shite), then that appartus will probably be suitable for you.

For those of you who know the taste of a fine, hand-made beer and want to enjoy that for a lower expense and add your own finesse to it then visit your local home brew shop and get started the right and traditional way.

Like most things in life, a little attention to detail will give a result that you will be quite proud of.



* All prices in Australian Dollars.

NB - I have not used the Beer Machine and am very unlikely to. I base my opinions on an extensive knowledge of home produced small batches of quality beers, stouts, ales and lagers. Do your research and draw your own conclusions.

Hiatus, Schmiatus... or something like that.

Just a quick post to apologise for the lack of updates during 2011. Sometimes, life intervenes in the goodness of bread and brew.

I've been blessed with a lovely son. He's a fine lad. We're wonderfully happy.

However, keeping mind, body and soul together while experiencing sleep deprivation and undertaking the tasks related to a planned relocation all at the same time... well... something had to give.

Thus brewing is on hiatus until we finally relocate. Baking is using the cheater's delight: a bread machine. And experiments, well, it's better to put those aside until after someone has signed a contract to buy my place.

I'll endeavour to post something relevant and interesting soon.

In the meanwhile, take care and make sure that you brew and bake and do all those good yeasty things that are good for you, your family and the environment. Besides, they're a few of the remaining things that you can do that are pretty much carbon neutral.

Until soon!