On August 2020, PicoBrew Inc. was acquired by the Azimuth Opportunity, LP, a San Francisco-based private equity fund, from existing investors and PicoBrew Inc. ‘s management. Azimuth Opportunity, LP focuses on food, beverage and related technology investments, specifically in the craft beer industry.
PicoBrew Inc. is the Seattle-based company behind the PicoBrew Z Series home beer brewing appliances and the PicoPaks pre-measured ingredient packs. The acquisition aims to further fuel the development and scale of PicoBrew’s home craft beer brewing technology and their supporting services.
The acquisition will position PicoBrew to leverage Azimuth Opportunity’s resources and experience in the craft-beer industry, helping PicoBrew expand their endeavors in commercial craft beer applications, both domestically and internationally.
PicoBrew’s management team remains in place and will continue to lead the company’s aggressive global growth initiatives, including the ongoing roll-out of PicoBrew’s Z Series appliances and PicoPaks throughout the world.
Azimuth Opportunity’s investment will allow PicoBrew to significantly scale their efforts towards furthering their mission of delivering the freshest beer through innovative and advanced brewing technology.
This is a great move for both companies and should help to position PicoBrew as a leader in the craft beer industry.
Is PicoBrew out of business?
No, PicoBrew is still in business and continues to produce their products. The PicoBrew brewing appliance and accompanying PicoPaks have been gaining traction in the craft beer industry, as well as their introductory versions of craft and specialty beer.
In 2020 PicoBrew released their PicoStill distilling appliance and the PicoCellar Beer Aging System. The company is continuing to improve and expand its product lineup, making it easier and more cost-effective for people to craft their own beverages.
The core of PicoBrew’s business is enabling people to craft their own beer and spirits at home, and they have also added support for custom beer recipes and a homebrew recipe marketplace. In the years to come, they plan to continue to expand their product lineup and make it easier for people to hone their brewing skills.
What is a pico brewery?
A pico brewery is a very small-scale brewery that produces beer in small batches. Pico breweries typically have a maximum brewing capacity of three barrels (93 gallons) per batch. The term “pico brewery” is derived from the Spanish word “pico”, which means “small” or “tiny”.
Pico breweries are usually located in commercial kitchens, garages, or basement spaces. They are often operated by hobbyists or home brewers who want to produce small batches of beer for their own enjoyment, or for sale at local businesses or events.
Pico breweries typically use standard brewing equipment, such as kettles, fermentation tanks, and kegs. However, they often have to improvise or adapt their equipment to fit their small space and batch size.
For example, a pico brewery might use a converted wine barrel as a fermentation tank.
Pico breweries often face challenges when it comes to marketing and distribution, since they are too small to sell their beer to large retailers or distributors. Instead, they must rely on selling their beer directly to consumers, through local businesses, or at special events.
What is a BrewZilla?
BrewZilla is a revolutionary all-in-one electric brewing system that simplifies and streamlines the process of home brewing. This intuitive device allows users to easily brew their own beer, mead, cider, and more from the comfort of their own home.
The BrewZilla includes an integrated 12.5-gallon stainless steel brew kettle, a digital temperature controller, a grain mill and funnel attachment, a recirculating mash system, a timer for delayed start, a digital pH controller and meter, a dual-element heating element, and a built-in sparge arm.
Using the included app, users can customize the brewing process to perfectly suit their desired flavor or style. The app also features helpful brewing tips and recipes. All of these features eliminate the need for additional complicated brewing equipment, allowing users to quickly and efficiently produce high-quality homemade beer.
What is the difference between a nano brewery and a micro brewery?
The main difference between a nano brewery and a micro brewery is the size and volume of beer each type of brewery can produce. Nano breweries are extremely small operations that typically focus on producing beer for local consumption.
They generally produce batches of between 3 and 6 barrels at a time, with the maximum annual output typically not exceeding 200 barrels. By contrast, microbreweries are usually larger operations producing up to 15,000 barrels (or even up to 60,000 in some cases) a year.
Whereas a nano brewery focus on producing specialty, small-batch beers for a local audience, a microbrewery is more likely to distribute their beers on a larger scale and often within a larger geographic area.
Nano breweries also typically do not bottle or can their beers and instead are consumed directly from the tap or growler, while microbreweries often bottle and/or can their beers to be sold in stores.
Are nano breweries profitable?
Nano breweries can be profitable depending on the location, size, and strategy of the business. The key to creating a successful and profitable nano brewery is to focus on creating a strong community presence and a strong product.
Location is important in determining success, as finding a spot in your city that is close to residential areas with a high drinking age can help make your brewery successful. Additionally, many nano breweries can be profitable through the sale of food and merchandise in addition to beer, since this can bring in a steady stream of revenue.
Furthermore, it is important to keep the cost of running the brewery low, and having a well-constructed business strategy can help in achieving this goal. Ultimately, while any business can carry a degree of risk, nano breweries can be a profitable business venture with the right setup.
How much space do you need for a nano brewery?
The amount of space needed for a nano brewery really depends on the size of the brewery and what type of equipment it’s using. Generally, a sufficient setup for a nano brewery would require between 500 – 1500 square feet of space.
This should include an area for fermenting, conditioning, storage, lounging, and office space. If you plan on having a full-scale brewing system, then you will likely need at least 1000 – 1500 square feet.
You also need room for any additional equipment such as a bottling machine, kegging system, and cooling system. Depending on the type and size of equipment, the total space needed may vary. Additionally, if you plan on having a bar or lounge area, then you will need to factor in additional space depending on the number of seats and the overall design.
Ultimately, you need to plan for the type of brewery that you want and build it accordingly.
Do small breweries make money?
Craft breweries have seen a boom in recent years, with the number of operating breweries in the United States more than doubling between 2012 and 2016. With this increase in popularity comes an increase in competition, and many small breweries are wondering if they can still turn a profit.
The answer, it seems, is yes – but it’s not always easy. Small breweries often have to get creative with their pricing and marketing strategies in order to compete with the big guys. But for those that are able to find their niche and build a loyal customer base, the rewards can be great.
The majority of small breweries are able to make a profit, with the average brewery making $800,000 in annual revenue. However, profitability can vary greatly from one brewery to the next, and some may only make a few thousand dollars per year.
To be successful, small breweries need to focus on producing high-quality products, controlling costs, and building a strong brand. They also need to be aware of the latest trends in the craft beer industry and be able to adapt their business strategies accordingly.
How many barrels does a nano brewery produce?
The amount of barrels a nano brewery produces varies greatly depending on the size of the brewery and the equipment it uses. Generally speaking, a nano brewery is defined as a brewery that produces three barrels or less of beer a batch.
This equates to up to 90 gallons per batch. Depending on the equipment used, a nano brewery may be able to produce anywhere from one to three barrels in a single batch. Therefore, it is impossible to give an accurate estimate of the number of barrels that a nano brewery produces, since this depends on the size of the brewery and its brewing system.
Where is the Grainfather manufactured?
The Grainfather is a complete all-in-one brewing system manufactured by a New Zealand company of the same name. The company is headquartered in Auckland with production facilities throughout the country.
The Grainfather has a sleek, stainless-steel design and utilizes an efficient 3-in-1 brewing system with a built-in wort chiller, grain mill, and digital boil controller. The specially-designed digital boil controller system monitors the temperature, time and power output of the wort and can be used to precisely control the beer-making process.
The digital controller also links up to their optional Connect app for iOS and Android, which allows users to adjust their brewing times and check the temperature, control their flame and check the original and final gravity of their brews.
The Grainfather is a great addition to any homebrewer’s setup, providing quick and consistent results, and is currently available at various retailers in Australia and New Zealand.
Who makes the Grainfather?
The Grainfather is manufactured by a New Zealand-based company called BrewTools Ltd. Founded in 2011, BrewTools is a family owned and operated business led by husband-and-wife team Paul and Sheree Hamilton.
Paul is a Master Brewer and was the founder of Hamilton’s Brewing Company – one of New Zealand’s original microbreweries.
The Grainfather is their flagship product, which they designed and developed with the help of craft beer brewers, home brewers and other industry professionals. The Grainfather was released in 2014 and has since become a popular choice among craft beer and home brewers worldwide.
It is an all-in-one brewing system that is easy to use and provides consistent, professional tasting results. The Grainfather features adjustable temperature control, a counterflow wort chiller, integrated pump, and a precision grain mill.
These features, along with its compact size, make it a great choice for brewers of all skill levels.
Is the Grainfather worth the money?
The Grainfather is a brewing system for home brewers and it does come with a higher price tag than some of the other home brewing options out there. The Grainfather is designed to be a complete all-in-one system for making your own beer from grain to bottle.
It allows you to mash, lauter, sparge, boil, and cool your wort all with the one system. Additionally, the Grainfather comes with a variety of features that help make the process easier and give you more control over the beer making process.
It also comes with a top-notch control panel that allows you to precisely adjust the temperature, power and time settings to achieve the perfect home brewed beer. With its wide range of features, precise temperature and power controls, and a wireless internet connection, the Grainfather really sets itself apart from the competition.
Ultimately, if you are serious about home brewing and looking for a system to produce high-quality beer efficiently, the Grainfather is definitely worth the money. It’s the perfect all-in-one brewing system for brewers who want to take complete control of their brewing process and make top-notch beer every time.
How much beer does the Grainfather make?
The Grainfather can make up to 23 liters of beer at a time. This total can be broken down into two or three smaller batches, depending on the recipe and ingredients used. The Grainfather is the perfect starter and all-in-one system for homebrewers wanting to make great tasting beer.
It allows you to use your own recipes while still having precise control over the brewing process. You can also malt being using the Grainfather using the optional grain mill. This allows you to make all-grain beers, creating high quality craft brews without additional equipment.
How do you distill with a GrainFather?
Distilling with a GrainFather is a straightforward process that will help you craft your favorite craft spirits. The GrainFather is an all-in-one, electric distilling unit that allows home and craft distillers of all levels to easily produce high-quality vodka, gin, whiskey and other spirits.
The GrainFather contains all the essential distilling components such as a kettle, thermometer, wort pump, counter-flow wort chiller, mash filter, and fermentation vessel, as well as additional components such as a tower and a spirit still.
All you need to do is to connect the components, fill the kettle with the proper volumes of base spirits, hops, and other necessary ingredients and follow the easy instructions included in the GrainFather’s user manual.
The automated programming on the GrainFather’s digital display allows you to easily keep track of and adjust temperature, speed, and other variables, while the electric heating element also helps you maintain a consistent and controlled temperature throughout the distilling process.
Once your spirit is brewed, you can filter and transfer it to a fermentation vessel where it will continue to develop flavor and complexity. After you’ve completed the fermentation process, you can then transfer your spirit to the GrainFather’s spirit still, and use the automated controlling systems to distill the spirit to your desired alcohol content.
When distilling with a GrainFather, you can also filter and monitor your distillate, and add flavorings, if desired. After you’ve achieved your desired spirit profile, bottling is simple and easy with the GrainFather’s dedicated bottling hardware and fermenter kit.
How long does it take to brew all grain?
Brewing an all-grain beer can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours, depending on your equipment, process and technique. The process involves milling the grain, mashing the grains, lautering the wort, boiling the wort, cooling the wort, and fermenting the beer.
The actual time needed to mash the grain and boil the wort can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. After that, the wort needs to cool which can take up to an hour, and then the remaining time is taken up by the fermentation process.
All grain brewing is a labor of love but can provide you with a wide variety of potential flavors and mouthfeel.
How long is your brew day?
My brew days typically last 6-7 hours from start to finish. In the beginning, I make sure I have all the needed ingredients and supplies, as well as sterilizing my equipment so everything is ready to go.
I then weigh out my grains and mash in. After that I begin the boil, running it for 60-90 minutes depending on the style I am brewing. During the boil I’m also adding hops, etc according to my recipe.
Once the boil is complete I move on to cooling, aerating, and pitching the yeast. After waiting for the yeast to get to work, I transfer to a secondary or my bottling bucket, depending on the recipe, and get ready for fermentation.
I let the beer ferment for a few weeks before bottling, kegging, or transferring to a keg. The process usually takes me 6-7 hours in total.
Can I mash too long?
Yes, you can mash too long! If you’re mashing too long, you’re likely getting too much conversion and risk extracting too much tannin which can add astringency and harshness to your beer. To prevent this, it’s best to stick to the mashing instructions that come with your recipe, or the manufacturer’s instructions if you’re using a malt extract or pre-milled grain.
If that’s not available, most people suggest a single-infusion mash at 150-158°F for 60-90 minutes. If you choose to do a multi-step mash, you’ll need to adjust your mash and sparge times accordingly.
It’s important to watch your mash temperature carefully to ensure you’re getting the conversion you need. At the end of the day, it’s always best to practice and experiment to develop your own technique and recipes.
How can I speed up my brew day?
Brew day is an exciting process, so you want to make sure you’re optimizing your time and resources. To speed up your brew day and make it more efficient, there are a few things you can do:
1. Start preparation early. Before you start your brew day, make sure you have everything you need. Read through the recipe and ingredient list, check your supply of ingredients and equipment, and have all parts sanitized.
That way, you won’t have any surprises during your brew day and you can get right to brewing.
2. Use a grain mill. Most brewers agree that using a grain mill to grind your grains is more efficient than using pre-milled grains. This speeds up the process and increases the chances of good extraction.
3. Utilize tea balls. Tea balls are great for hopping and can be used for smooth and efficient hop additions over the course of a boil.
4. Use a fermentation system. A temperature-controlled fermentation system can help speed up the fermentation process and ensure consistent results.
5. Streamline sanitation. Use an efficient sanitation system, such as an immersion circulator or a recirculating wort chiller. This will allow you to clean and sanitize your brewing equipment faster and more easily.
By following these tips, you can make your brew day faster and smoother. Just remember to celebrate and enjoy your beers when you’re finished!
