Skip to main content

Lift a glass: tabletop craft beer system launches on kickstarter

Update:

After successfully completing a campaign via the popular crowdfunding site Kickstarter, a smart homebrew appliance by the name of ArtBrew decided to not only take its talents to Indiegogo, but change its name in the process. Now officially named iGulu, this at-home beer maker’s foray to another crowdfunding site gives those who missed out on its first discounted showing another opportunity to secure one of these at a premium price. Whereas the Kickstarter version allowed interested buyers the opportunity to secure an iGulu at $489, the Indiegogo variant runs backers a tad more at $549.

Recommended Videos

As of this writing, a total of roughly $821k had been raised for the iGulu between Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Original article:

As the appliances around us continue to get smarter, it’s not the least bit surprising to see the rise of automated beverage systems. Made famous by Keurig’s pod-brewing coffee system in the mid-2000s, there now exist machines capable of whipping up everything from glasses of wine to cups of soup. Naturally, this phenomenon found its way to the world of beer and starting today, the Keurig of craft beer has officially launched on Kickstarter.

Dubbed the iGulu, this innovative machine not only simplifies the manufacturing of craft beer but features so many different compatible beer types that you’ll have a hard time deciding which to enjoy next.

As is the case with any automated brew system, the iGulu requires a minimal number of steps to successfully create a high-quality glass of beer. After filling the machine with water, users simply add their desired ingredients (either a prepacked iGulu kit or their own hops, yeast, etc.), choose which beer they’d prefer to brew, and then click “Start.” Depending on the type of beer selected, the machine takes anywhere from one to three weeks to mash, sterilize, and ferment the brew before it’s ready to drink. In the meantime, the machine monitors and maintains the temperatures and pressures needed for each specific beer, assuring a tasty brew during each use.

artbrew2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The iGulu team takes ease-of-use even further by allowing users to monitor each cycle directly from an Android and iOS-compatible smartphone application. Everything from the current brew’s operating temperature to phase and time are viewable via the app, while advanced users also have the ability to manually adjust the cycle’s time or temperature. Even the app’s interface is designed to be user-friendly, and features sliding scales which display a brew’s flavor profile, bitterness, and alcohol content, among other factors.

Cleaning up after a cycle has been made as easy as possible as well, as all that’s required is for users to remove the machine’s miniature kegs, add some fresh water, then select “Clean/Rinse.” Considering that cleaning up after a conventional home brew tends to be a messy affair, iGulu’s simple wash process alone should attract even moderate beer lovers to consider adding one of these to their kitchen. Moreover, the entire wash process takes just a few hours, so users won’t have to wait long before beginning another brew cycle.

artbrew5
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Yet another facet allowing the iGulu to stand out from its competition is its price. For its launch on Kickstarter, the team behind this innovative machine is offering the system for a surprisingly low price of just $489. Granted, the Kickstarter page admits that this reflects an approximate 50-percent discount off MSRP, however, even at a full price of roughly $989, the iGulu should still be considered a hell of a deal. Depending on which tier backers decide to purchase, every iGulu machine comes with the system itself and some combination of either a free minikeg, some Master Brewer Artpacks, and ingredients.

As of this writing, iGulu’s Kickstarter campaign has already raised $19k to its $100k goal within just two hours of being activated. So it seems to be only a matter of time before its goal is reached — and likely surpassed.

Updated 7/6/2016: Updated to reflect the system’s name changing from ArtBrew to iGulu, as well as its move to Indiegogo following a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Rick Stella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say…
Roku expands smart home lineup with two upcoming security cameras
The Roku Battery Camera on a tree

Roku might be known for its streaming sticks and smart TVs, but the brand also has a strong presence in the smart home market. From video doorbells and smart lights to plugs and motion sensors, Roku’s smart home catalog is surprisingly robust. The catalog is set to expand in the coming months, as Roku has officially revealed two upcoming security cameras -- the Roku Battery Camera and Roku Battery Camera Plus.

The Roku Battery Camera Plus is the most enticing of the two, as it can get up to two years of battery life on a single charge (the Battery Camera gets up to six months). They can also be combined with an optional solar panel to extend their battery life. Beyond that, most specs are shared -- including 1080p resolutions, color night vision, and the option to receive motion alerts when activity is detected around your home.

Read more
Aqara releases new Matter hub, security system, and climate sensor
The Aqara Matter Hub

Aqara has been busy as of late. The company announced Matter support for 50 new device types earlier this month, and now it’s launching three new products -- the Aqara M100 Hub, Climate Sensor W100, and Camera Protect Kit Y100. All three are now available for purchase.

If you’re interested in syncing all your smart devices together, the Aqara Smart Hub M100 is bound to be the most exciting of the bunch. The next-gen smart hub is designed for seamless Matter compatibility, allowing you to set up complex automations between Aqara products and Matter-enabled products from other platforms.

Read more
Is there a Walmart Plus free trial? Get a month of free delivery
A Walmart sign on the outside of a store.

For regular Walmart shoppers, signing up for Walmart Plus is a no-brainer. It's basically Walmart's version of Amazon Prime, with subscribers unlocking free shipping on most orders, early access to discounts and new product drops (like Nintendo Switch 2 restocks), the best grocery delivery, and more. If you're always taking advantage of Walmart's bargains for the best smart home devices or the best tech products in general, but you're still not sure if you'll be able to maximize the benefits of Walmart Plus, we highly recommend claiming the free trial to the service, and we've got everything you need to know about it right here.

Is there a Walmart Plus free trial?
There is a Walmart Plus free trial available, and it’s one of the best free trials we’ve seen in terms of how many great features and conveniences you’re able to access. This is really a reflection of how great the Walmart Plus service is, as the Walmart Plus free trial is essentially a 30-day experience of what it would be like to be a paid Walmart Plus subscriber. A Walmart Plus membership can help you save over $1,300 per year, so taking advantage of the 30-day free trial is a great way to get in there and see what those savings will look like. And if grocery delivery is what you're really after, an alternative you might consider is the Instacart free trial -- they have more than one program to try!

Read more