For those who enjoy a perfectly poured pint but appreciate the comfort of home, the art of brewing your own beer has just become significantly less daunting. A new wave of all-in-one machines is transforming a complex hobby into a simple, automated process, with the iGulu F1 emerging as a leading contender. Promising pub-quality results with minimal effort, this device aims to be the pod coffee machine of the craft beer world.
From Box to Brew: Effortless Automation
The iGulu F1 system arrives as a comprehensive kit, designed to demystify the entire brewing process. Users start with a pre-packaged ingredient kit containing malt extract powder, yeast, and hop oil, with all the flavour profiling completed by experts beforehand. The fundamental steps involve adding water, stirring in the ingredients, and letting the machine take over.
What sets the iGulu F1 apart is its smart technology. An RFID reader on the side of the machine detects what type of beer is being brewed from a card included with each kit. A small display screen, supported by a companion smartphone app, then guides the user through the setup and manages the entire fermentation cycle autonomously.
The machine monitors and controls critical variables like temperature and pressure, with the display providing a countdown to completion—typically around two weeks. Once ready, the beer is dispensed via a traditional pub-style handle, yielding up to 18 pints per batch. While users need to supply steriliser, mineral water is recommended, and a SodaStream-style gas canister is required for carbonation, the system is remarkably self-contained.
Quality and Customisation in a Sleek Package
First-hand testing reveals a machine that oozes quality and user-friendliness. The intuitive display removes guesswork, making the process accessible even for complete novices. The resulting beer is reported to be cold, crisp, and of a standard that rivals a professional pour.
For enthusiasts who wish to experiment beyond the pre-set kits, the iGulu F1 cleverly includes a custom brewing function. This allows more experienced home brewers to source their own ingredients from specialist suppliers and utilise online guides to create unique recipes, with the machine still providing its automated fermentation management.
The One Major Hurdle: Availability
Despite its impressive capabilities, there is a significant obstacle for potential buyers: actually purchasing one. At the time of review, the iGulu F1 was sold out on the official iGulu website and on Amazon. While occasional units may appear on platforms like eBay, stock is scarce. Similarly, many of the enticing pre-made ingredient kits are also frequently out of stock, limiting the 'plug-and-play' experience that is a major selling point.
In conclusion, the iGulu F1 represents a significant leap forward in automated home brewing, combining smart technology with a polished design to produce high-quality beer with unprecedented ease. It successfully translates a traditional craft into a modern, convenient appliance. However, its current popularity and supply chain issues mean that getting your hands on this innovative machine is, for now, the hardest part of the brewing process.
