Which all in one brewing system

[Flan]

I’m thinking of taking the plunge and investing in an all in one system, I’m looking at a brewster beacon or maybe a hopcat mk3 at the moment, does anybody have any suggestions on these two. The hopcat is on offer at the moment at £399 which is £50 more than the brewster but it is 45l compared to the 40l brewster and the hopcat comes with a hop spider, wort chiller with connections, whirlpool arm and a couple of other bits. Any thoughts and advice are always appreciated.

 

[hoppyscotty]

I've got a Brewzilla and both these systems seem similar to the Brewzilla so on the face of it just go for the one you can get the best deal on. However if I'm being critical of the Brewzilla there are a few things to look out for. I think the temperature control on the brewzilla is not that precise. Not sure if its good, bad or about par for the course compared to other similar systems and I've only had about 6 months and been brewing with it over the cold winter in my garage so maybe using it in such a cold environment is pushing it to the limits, but I'm not convinced it controls the mash temp over the full height of the stack. Also the pump seems a bit temperamental. It seems to be a bit weak and easily affected by hop matter. And it annoys me that the bottom plate in the grain pipe and the false bottom don't really seal particularly well around the edge letting small amounts of grain and hop matter through - it could have been a better fit or some sort of sealing system incorporated, but I guess at this price point its these small details that are compromised. But I'm being super critical here and overall I'm chuffed with it and don't think I could get much better without spending significantly more money. Ultimately it produces great beer I want to drink so the primary objective is acheived!

Overall its a great bit of kit and all my brews so far have been great and the all in one nature makes is really easy so you can control the parameters you need to in the brew, and is super efficient on the space it takes up which is a big plus point if you don't have a dedicated space for you home brewhouse.

 

[Flan]

Good to know, thanks scotty.

 

[Galena]

The Brewster Beacon looks great and I was very tempted however it does not have a tap which is a bit of a potential issue as you can only decant to the FV using the pump. Also there is a reported problem with the false bottom lifting during the boil and allowing stuff to pass through.

The Hopcat, does have a tap but does not have a sight tube if that is a problem for you.

 

[hoppyscotty]

Good point, the tap is a good feature. You can get another litre or so out via the tap after the pump starts pulling air. Also makes clean up easier.

 

[Leon103]

I am glad you started this thread. I have also been looking and was going to go with the Brew Devil but its out of stock. I hadn't considered the Hopcat. That looks a good deal. Any reviews or discount codes?

 

[Libigage]

I am glad you started this thread. I have also been looking and was going to go with the Brew Devil but its out of stock. I hadn't considered the Hopcat. That looks a good deal. Any reviews or discount codes?

Brewkegtap have stock coming next week, try contacting them, they're very helpful

 

[Leon103]

Brewkegtap have stock coming next week, try contacting them, they're very helpful

Thanks. Not sure they stock the brew devil. Thinking hopcat now

 

[Rogerh]

The Hopcat 45L MK3 does have a sight tube. It's on the pump/recirc part.

 

[Flan]

The Brewster Beacon looks great and I was very tempted however it does not have a tap which is a bit of a potential issue as you can only decant to the FV using the pump. Also there is a reported problem with the false bottom lifting during the boil and allowing stuff to pass through.
The Hopcat, does have a tap but does not have a sight tube if that is a problem for you.

Looking at the hopcat

The Brewster Beacon looks great and I was very tempted however it does not have a tap which is a bit of a potential issue as you can only decant to the FV using the pump. Also there is a reported problem with the false bottom lifting during the boil and allowing stuff to pass through.
The Hopcat, does have a tap but does not have a sight tube if that is a problem for you.

in the write up for the hopcat mk3 45l it says it has a flexible return pipe and site glass as improvements.
Does this mean the site glass is for liquid levels or is it on the recirculation pipe, I can’t quite make it out if it’s for the level of liquid in the kettle or just to see the recirculating wort. I’m leaning towards this system as it comes with the added extras.
Add a Hopcat SS 32L/7 Gal Conical Fermenter - Pro Version and get 20% off and combined shipping.
*Holds up to 15KG of Grain * Telescopic Malt Pipe *Built in Sightglass *Brushed Metal Finish
Yes, that’s right, from the people who first brought you an affordable 30L All-in-One brewing system comes an even bigger and more affordable 45L All-in-One Automated Brewing System.
Occupying only a fraction more space than the Original 30L Hopcat, this new 45L Hopcat is big enough, and powerful enough to meet all your brewing needs.
This Hopcat has been totally redesigned from the ground up to make it even better than the Original MK1 and Mk2 Hopcats.
Its brushed metal finish, flexible return pipe, siteglass and telescopic overflow pipe are simple improvements that make a Hopcat Brewday, the Best Brewday.

 

[Rogerh]

Looking at the hopcat

in the write up for the hopcat mk3 45l it says it has a flexible return pipe and site glass as improvements. Does this mean the site glass is for liquid levels or is it on the recirculation pipe, I can’t quite make it out if it’s for the level of liquid in the kettle or just to see the recirculating wort. I’m leaning towards this system as it comes with the added extras.

The sight glass does both, after you have added your water you need to run the recirc to 'prime' the sight glass. Mine reads 1L over the actual amount in the machine, which is no big problem.

 

[Flan]

The sight glass does both, after you have added your water you need to run the recirc to 'prime' the sight glass. Mine reads 1L over the actual amount in the machine, which is no big problem.

Great, thanks roger. It looks like the front runner up to now.

 

[Maxonian]

I have a Hopcat Mk 2. It’s the only all in one system that I’ve ever used but I’ve done 70+ brews on it and it’s served me well. Word of caution though: it arrived two and half months late and other people have had that experience too. Still, the kit itself is very good, as are the whirlpool arm, hop spider and wort chiller.

 

[Rogerh]

I have a Hopcat Mk 2. It’s the only all in one system that I’ve ever used but I’ve done 70+ brews on it and it’s served me well. Word of caution though: it arrived two and half months late and other people have had that experience too. Still, the kit itself is very good, as are the whirlpool arm, hop spider and wort chiller.

Yes, their 'customer service' is not the best, but it has slowly improved lately. If they are in stock you should get one OK, it tends to be the pre-order that get delayed (especially if going through the Suez Canal )

 

[Leon103]

I emailed hopcat today. Had a reply in an hour. 45l are in stock, order before 12pm and it gets sent out that day

 

[Covrich]

I got the 45l hopcat mk3 its great!! they give you a load of goodies still? paddle ss chiller hop spider insulation sleeve ect

 

[brydo]

I have a Brewster beacon and have done 4 brews on it so far. I'm very happy with it. The tempreture for mashing seems to hold steady with the pump for circulating. There is a water level gauge on the outside which is handy. Seems powerful enough and raises tempreture quickly.
There is a filter plate that goes over the bottom which does lift slightly during the boil but in four brews I've not had any bother with it. I use a hop spider which probably helps there too.
Feels really solidly made and is easy to clean.
I've never had any other machine but I would recommend the brewster. Good luck with whatever you choose, I agonized for months as it is a lot of money to fork out.

 

[frankieboy]

The Brewster Beacon looks great and I was very tempted however it does not have a tap which is a bit of a potential issue as you can only decant to the FV using the pump. Also there is a reported problem with the false bottom lifting during the boil and allowing stuff to pass through.
The Hopcat, does have a tap but does not have a sight tube if that is a problem for you.

@Galena

Just chiming in as I am currently doing the obligatory 3 weeks of research before making a similar decision!

By the looks of the product page on Hopcat site, it does have a sight glass. Only downside since the OP seems to be the price has shot up to £499 :-(

Did you get the Hopcat in the end? There are very few videos on it and I can't establish what the mesh setup is in the malt pipe - is it false bottom, plus top/bottom removable mesh plates? I see it has a telescopic overflow pipe so I assume so.

I guess by the time you add a jacket, a hop spider and a chiller the price is not turning out much different to the Brewster anyway.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Forum member David Heath posted this 3 part buyers guide in 2019 still worth a watch -

 

[Tickles58]

Hi All

I’ve been mulling over buying an all in one system for a few weeks now. A mate of mine also carries out all grain brewing and suggested the klarstein. It’s as you would imagine it’s German brand. Very very similar to various others on the low end cost of the market. I took the plunge early last week and they advised that it would be delivered no 6 June 22. When I awoke today there was a pleasant surprise waiting in my in box advising that it was to be delivered today and sure enough it was. As yet I haven’t unpacked it as it was delivered to my work address.I’ve bought it from a company trading under a name of Hi Fi from Berlin details attached they were selling for £60 cheaper than Klarstein themselves. The one I’ve bought does 30l which is adequate for no me but they
Do some much larger ones for those who boarder on industrial production. And it has a 24 month guarantee