I first ran into the iGulu S1 while looking at the current wave of “smart countertop brewing” appliances—machines that promise to shrink homebrewing down to something closer to a coffee routine: load, tap a few controls, and let automation handle the finicky parts. What caught my attention with the S1 was the brand’s pitch that it’s an affordable on-ramp to automated brewing, while still handling fermentation, cooling, and dispensing in one unit.

Initial impression: the iGulu S1 is positioned as a genuinely approachable automated home beer brewer—especially for people who like the idea of brewing, but don’t want a garage full of gear.

• Price: $549 (official website)

• Availability: Official iGulu store: iGulu S1 product page

• Amazon Link: HERE

• Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Key Specs Table

Design Review

In pure footprint terms, the iGulu S1 makes sense for small kitchens: tall enough to feel like a “real appliance,” but not sprawling like traditional brew rigs. From a food-tech perspective, the key design story is that it’s trying to collapse multiple stages—fermentation control, cooling, and dispensing—into one consistent workflow, rather than asking for separate fermentation chambers, kegerators, or add-on chillers.

Build quality & layout

• The core concept is tidy: a single machine that manages temperature and pressure control as part of the process (called out directly on the product page).

• The “RFID-driven recipe” approach is a practical design choice for repeatability: it’s hard to mis-key a temperature schedule when the machine loads it from a tag.

Ergonomics & day-to-day usability

• For beginners, RFID initiation plus “guided automation” can reduce the typical failure points (missed temps, inconsistent fermentation conditions).

• The physical reality remains: cleaning and sanitation are still part of the job, even with automation.

Cleaning & maintenance
iGulu’s cleaning guidance is refreshingly straightforward: depressurize, open the tank, rinse/soak, wipe, and brush the lines (with an option to replace lines using disposable sets).

Noteworthy pros

• Fully automated positioning (fermentation + cooling + dispensing) in one unit

• Compact “apartment/dorm” intent stated outright by iGulu

• Clear storage guidance: up to 30 days in “COOL” mode when using a SodaStream-style CO₂ tank; 24 hours recommended when dispensing via air pump

Noteworthy cons / watch-outs

• Materials and finishes aren’t clearly specified on the product page (harder to judge long-term wear expectations from spec alone)

• CO₂ logistics: iGulu explicitly notes CO₂ isn’t included due to shipping constraints; air-pump dispensing is a convenience mode with a shorter best-by window

Performance Review

Since this review is being drafted from the provided specs and manufacturer documentation (not from lab measurements), the most honest way to handle performance is to outline the exact checks that should determine whether the iGulu S1 delivers on “automated home craft beer brewer” expectations.

1) Temperature control performance

• What to verify: stability and accuracy at meaningful setpoints: 37.4°F, 50°F, 68°F, and 95–104°F

• Why it matters: the S1’s promised value is “smart temperature & pressure control,” plus a published operating range of 37.4–104°F (3–40°C)

2) Automation reality check

• What to track: hands-on minutes from setup → start → cleaning; number of steps that still require attention

• Why it matters: many “automated” brewers still hide a lot of manual work in transfers, cleaning, and carbonation management.

3) Dispensing & carbonation: air pump vs CO₂

• What to verify: foam consistency, carbonation hold, flavor stability over time when dispensing with:

  • Air pump, and

  • CO₂ tank / mini regulator

• Why it matters: iGulu’s own FAQ draws a sharp line—air pump dispensing is “finish within 24 hours,” while CO₂ + COOL mode supports storage “up to 30 days”

4) Repeatability

• What to verify: two identical cycles produce similar results (taste, carbonation, clarity)

• Why it matters: repeatability is the payoff for automation and programmed schedules (RFID-based process initiation is part of iGulu’s workflow)

5) “Beyond beer” use-cases (kombucha, cider, wine, more)

iGulu explicitly markets multi-drink capability—beer styles plus fermented drinks like kombucha, cider, wine, tea, and more—on the product page/FAQ. That’s appealing, but it also raises the bar on sanitation and temperature profiling.

Pro-tip: multi-beverage fermentation setups live or die on cleaning discipline. Any machine that can do beer and kombucha needs especially consistent cleaning habits to prevent flavor carryover.

Comparisons

1) MiniBrew Craft Gen 3

Overview: MiniBrew’s Craft Gen 3 is also marketed as a smart, all-in-one brewing setup, explicitly calling out beer, cider, and kombucha—built around its system plus Smart Keg approach.

Pros vs iGulu S1

• MiniBrew pros: Strong emphasis on an ecosystem (machine + Smart Keg + recipe/community angle); clearly positions brew/ferment/serve as an integrated experience

• MiniBrew cons: Pricing and membership structure may be a deciding factor depending on region and usage style (MiniBrew highlights plans/membership on the product page)

Best fit

• MiniBrew Craft Gen 3: home brewers who want a guided ecosystem and are comfortable leaning into a connected platform and recipe library approach.

• iGulu S1: readers prioritizing a lower entry price and iGulu’s “beginner-friendly” positioning at $549

2) BeerDroid

Overview: BrewArt positions BeerDroid as a “fully automated personal brewer,” with temperature control, Wi‑Fi, preset lager/ale programs, app monitoring, and a stated 10L (2.6 gal) brew capacity.

Pros vs iGulu S1

• BeerDroid pros: Larger batch size (10L) and mature “personal brewery” positioning with preset programs and app monitoring

• BeerDroid cons: Higher price listed at $599 on BrewArt’s site, and it’s more singularly framed around beer (vs iGulu’s broader “beer + kombucha + cider + wine + more” messaging)

Best fit

• BeerDroid: drinkers who care most about bigger batches and a beer-first workflow.

• iGulu S1: people who want smaller batches and the flexibility iGulu markets around multiple fermented drinks, plus a lower price point at $549

Verdict / Summary

The iGulu S1 makes the strongest case as an automated countertop home beer brewer for beginners, small-space setups, and anyone who values an “appliance-like” experience over the traditional hobbyist brew day. The most convincing parts of iGulu’s own documentation are the practical ones: explicit temperature range, the RFID-driven workflow, and the realistic guidance on storage time differences between air pump dispensing and CO₂-assisted serving

Best for

• Beginner home brewers who want automation and fewer moving parts

• Apartment or small-kitchen setups

• People who like experimenting across beer styles and other fermented drinks (as iGulu describes

Biggest strengths

• All-in-one positioning: fermentation + cooling + dispensing

• Clear CO₂ vs air-pump expectations (30 days vs 24 hours)

• 3-year warranty is a confidence marker in this category

Potential drawbacks

• Limited published detail on materials/finishes

• CO₂ adds complexity if long storage/serving is the primary goal (and CO₂ isn’t included)

Score (category context): 8.3 / 10