KegLand - BrewZilla Gen 4 - Preview

The BrewZilla Gen 4 is now available on the KegLand website - check out our reaction and first impressions for the confirmed features and price

In a recent YouTube video, Kee from KegLand disclosed some information about the next generation of their all in one brewing vessel - the BrewZilla. The next generation will be Gen 4 and will supersede the current 3.1.1 version.

BrewZilla Gen 4 (used with permission from KegLand)

Key Confirmed Features

• Wifi Controller
• Display mounted up on the side of the unit
• Display can be tilted up/down
• Display disconnects from the base unit
• Base now drains out completely
• CIP (Cleaning in Place) functionality
• Spray nozzle/jet 
• Internet Connectivity - RAPT integration for temperature tracking for mashing etc
• Bluetooth repeater functionality to allow for 3rd party integration such as bluetooth temperature probes
• Compatibility with currently available boil extenders
  
  

Release Date

Late 2021 for Australia - early 2022 for the rest of the world.

Update 29/12/21 - The official KegLand account on the Aussie Home Brewer forum confirmed that they (KegLand) currently have some stock of the Brewzilla Gen 4 in Australia, but didn't want to release it just before Christmas and have people unsupported because of the usual Christmas shutdowns. Link to the thread is below along with a screenshot of the KegLand forum post.

Expected release date is now mid to late January as indicated from the post below (for Australia). The release to the rest of the world is expected during the first quarter of 2022.

https://aussiehomebrewer.com/threads/kegland-questions-and-answers.98306/post-1573162

Source

Check out the previously mentioned YouTube video here

Other Speculative Features

It's hard to imagine KegLand would deviate too far from what is already a very popular format with their existing 3.1.1 version of the BrewZilla. Many of the key features I expect would remain on the Gen 4 version such as;

• Built in pump for recirculation
• 35L and 65L versions
• Removable malt pipe (although hopefully they improve the handle to lift/remove the malt pipe, as people often complain about the 3.1.1 handle being too small and not fitting correctly)
• Standardised camlock fittings for recirculation arm, whirlpool arm attachment 
• Expect some sort of cleaning arm, or way to connect the previously mentioned spray nozzle/jet onto the recirculation arm for CIP (Cleaning in Place)
• Sight glass for more accurate volume measurement and also checking wort clarity during recirculation
• 3 Year Warranty
• Stainless ball valve with barb fitting
• Separately controllable heating elements
• Improved electronics/reliability - no doubt by relocating some of the electronics/wiring away from the base of the unit where the heating elements are should improve the reliability of these components. Fried circuit boards are a reasonably common sight on Facebook groups/forums.
• Integration with the KegLand RAPT ecosystem
  
  

Some other questions and things to think about

• Expect the size of the unit to be roughly the same - can those with previous/current versions of the BrewZilla use and retain the existing immersion chiller and reduce the upfront cost of upgrading?

• Option to remove the centre overflow pipe and include the pro screen instead

What are you hoping to see in the next generation of the BrewZilla? Will you be upgrading? Let us know in the comments section below.

Also check out our recent blog post on other expected Upcoming KegLand Product Releases for 2022

Deschutes Brewery - Hazy Ale - Beer Review

Brewed By: Deschutes Brewery
Beer: Neon Daydream Hazy Ale
ABV: 4.8%
Malts: Pilsner, 25% Wheat/Unmalted Wheat, Flaked Oats, Acidulated
Hops: Cashmere, Simcoe, Lemondrop
IBU: 35

Deschute Brewery - Neon Daydream Hazy Ale in the Craftd Alpha glass

"Drift beneath dayglow skies on a cool, refreshing current of zesty candied orange and lemon notes, immersed in the mellow malt embrace of a deliciously lazy, hazy afternoon"

Review

A seasonal release from Deschutes Brewery located in Oregon (USA), the Neon Daydream Hazy Ale is a new-world example of what pale ales can be.

Hazy's are normally reserved for IPA varieties - as large amounts of hops present in IPA's can really  help contribute to the haze effect in the beer. In this case though they've really managed to get that haze effect without the truckload of hops - more than likely from using a low flocculating yeast.

Pouring into the glass it come out very pale and murky - and my first reaction was "that look's like pineapple juice!" The haze is very prominent as you can see in the photo above.

With a mixture of some of the lightest available malts - pilsner, wheat and oats - it's no surprise the colour is so pale, and leads to a nice delicate and light body. Each sip reveals some notes of melon, tangerine and passionfruit - with some light citrus mixed in as well for good measure. The moderate bitterness follows this up and lingers on the tongue.

In typical ale fashion, the carbonation has been dialled right back to really let the yeast and hop flavours to shine through.

It's a well balanced mixture of bitterness and fruitiness as you'd expect from a full strength ale like this. A tiny bit more forward fruitiness would have been good - but this would perhaps lead into IPA territory. It's definitely nice to have a full flavoured, easy drinking, hazy beer that you could have a few of in a session without needing a nap afterwards.

Rating

8.5/10

Hops to Home/Hope Estate - Citra Hop Hazy IPA - Beer Review

Brewed By: Hope Estate Brewing & Hops to Home
Beer: Single Hop(e) Hazy - Citra Hop Hazy IPA
ABV: 6.5%
Malts: Unknown
Hops: Citra
IBU: 75

Hope Estate & Hops to Home Collaboration - Citra Hop Hazy IPA in the Craftd Alpha glass

Review

This is a big beer. A collaborative effort between Hops to Home and Hope Estate Brewing - this beer is big in just about every aspect. At 6.5% it's plenty strong, delivers a massive punch of hop flavour and has heaps of bitterness to back it up.

Pouring into the glass, it comes out a very pale colour and then settles into a very cloudy, golden hue. It's definitely a hazy and looks similar to some NEIPA's. Can't help but wonder if the haze is from the yeast, the hops, or perhaps both?

At 75 IBU's this is well on the high end of the bitterness scale. The number was pretty daunting when I read it on the can - but thankfully it's well balanced with plenty of citra hop fruitiness to help level out the bitterness.

Initial hints on the nose are typical of citra (one of my favourite hops) - slightly peppery and resiny at first, but is quickly followed up with a strong waft of citrus aroma - predominantly orange but with other notes definitely mixed in. Some floral presence was apparent too - and this is what makes citra a great option for a single hopped beer - it's one of the more complex hop varieties and can single handedly impart flavours that would otherwise require multiple hops to achieve.

The bitterness lingers in your mouth after each sip but is never overpowering or unpleasant, and leaves your tastebuds simply wanting more.

The high alcohol content is well masked by the abundance of flavour, but certainly makes itself felt by the end of the can.

A very bold, yet well balanced IPA - and a real showcase of what Citra hops are all about.

Rating

8.5/10

Hawkers - Original Saison - Beer Review

Brewed By: Hawkers
Beer: Original Saison
ABV: 5.6%
Malts: Unknown
Hops: Fuggles, EK Golding, Grains of Paradise
IBU: Unknown

Hawkers Original Saison in the Craftd Alpha glass

"Only around for a brief stay, the Original Saison is a modern representation of an old world style - effervescent and refreshing with characteristic peppery undertones. 'Tis the Saison."

Review

This is my first Saison. I've read a little bit about them and was curious to try the style myself for something different to the usual ales and occasional lagers I typically drink.

The first thing that struck me after my first sip was the unique taste and flavour of this beer. For anyone who hasn't tried one (a Saison) before, I'd describe it as a "spicy lager". It's a very unique and distinctive taste - not a lot of (fruity) hop presence - which isn't a surprise given the classic English hops that are used.

In the glass it comes out a nice golden straw colour. Plenty of clarity and loads of foamy head - likely because of the relatively high level of carbonation that the Saison style calls for.

The malt flavour is smooth and subtle and really takes a back seat to the yeast which really dominates and gives it a special, funky kind of taste. "Peppery" is a good word to describe it and is often used to describe Saison's, and this one is certainly no exception. There are some hints of banana on the nose before the complex spice combination comes to the fore after each sip.

Although I don't have experience with other Saison's to compare it to - this one certainly seems to tick all the boxes for what the Saison style calls for. I quite enjoyed it but the unique flavour means it's the sort of beer I'd enjoy occassionally, and not regularly. Hawkers perhaps feel the same way which is why they're saying (on their website) that this particular beer will only be around for "a brief stay".

Rating

7.5/10

How Much to Dry Hop?

 Obviously when making beer - recipe formulation is very important. One of the key components or ingredients for a large variety of beer styles now is "dry hopping". This is the addition of hops to the beer during or after primary fermentation. Dry hopping a beer allows for the more 'pleasing' aromas of hops to be imparted into a beer - rather than the bittering that is derived from the hops alpha acid when they are added during the boiling of the wort. These pleasant aromas can be anywhere from woody, earthy or piny - all the way to floral or fruity.

Here's a quick reference guide on how much to dry hop in common beer styles

Pale Ales/Amber Ales (3-5% ABV)

2g - 4g per L 

IPA's

6g - 8g per L

Double IPA's

8g - 10g per L

Related Articles

Other Brewing How-To Guides, Tips & Tricks

The Hop Repository

Here is a spreadsheet I've compiled from multiple sources containing some of the key bits of information for most of the current popular/common varieties of hops.

This will be best viewed on a full size screen/monitor - make sure you collapse the Blog Archive on the right side so it doesn't overlap on the spreadsheet.

Malt Colour Conversion - EBC and Lovibond

Malt colours are typically given in degrees Lovibond - but European malts often use the European Brewing Convention (EBC) units.

Here's the formula to calculate/interchange them

EBC = Lovibond x 2

Lovibond = EBC / 2

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Other Brewing How-To Guides, Tips & Tricks

Bright Brewery - Brew Grit American Brown Ale - Beer Review

Brewed By: Bright Brewery
Beer: Brew Grit - American Brown Ale
ABV: 6.1%
Malts: Biscuit, Chocolate
Hops: Cascade, Columbus
IBU: Unknown

Bright Brewery - Brew Grit American Brown Ale in the Craftd Freddy glass

"... Brewed with columbus and cascade hops, and a healthy dose of biscuit and chocolate malts, Brew Grit American Brown Ale has sweet, nutty notes and a pine and grapefruit hop aroma, all enveloped in a layer of smooth malt sweetness. Yeehaw!"

Review

This is the first in a collection of beers received in a mixed pack from Hops to Home. I have always tended to stick to lighter coloured and more hop forward beers, like pale ales and IPA's - so I'm looking forward to trying some different types and styles of beers that I wouldn't normally buy for myself - like an American Brown Ale.

As you'd expect from a brown ale - the appearance is a very dark and deep copper colour. Plenty of thick, creamy foam was present after pouring, which also had a brownish tone to it. Brown ale's are meant to have a clear appearance, but when it's this dark it's hard to tell!

Before the beer event touches your lips - the strong aromas of chocolate, coffee and toffee are very much present and sneaking straight up your nose.

Initial taste is a very malt forward sweetness - almost like brown sugar and golden syrup. Nice. After the initial flavour hit, the taste mellows a bit where the rest of the more subtle sweet flavours shine through, balanced with a nice bitterness from the columbus and cascade hops.

At 6.1% it sneaks up on you a little bit - the alcohol content is well masked by the strong flavours all round.

I certainly wasn't picking up on the pine and grapefruit notes mentioned on the can, but still very much enjoyed it nonetheless.

Brew Grit American Brown Ale Can Notes

Rating

7/10