Two F1s, One Steady Brewing Rhythm

100 iGulu User Stories continues with Jack, whose homebrewing journey is built around reliable kits, room to experiment, and a setup that fits comfortably at home.

For Jack, homebrewing has never been only about making a drink. It is also about understanding the process, making adjustments, and seeing how one small idea can change the final result. That mindset comes naturally to him. Before retirement, Jack worked in electronics, and he has always been interested in how systems work. He also spent time around brewing through friends who opened a brewery, where he helped out from time to time with automation.

So when Jack looks at a brewing machine, he does not only think about convenience. He thinks about control, space, consistency, and flexibility. That is what eventually brought him to iGulu.

Finding a More Practical Way to Brew at Home

Jack had tried homebrewing before. Years ago, he used a MrBeer system, but it did not become something he wanted to continue with long term. Later, he tried Pinter and had some success, but pressure issues and broken parts made him move on.

He still wanted to brew at home. What he did not want was a large setup that would take over his house.

The iGulu shows promise for what I want because I don't want to take space away from my house for more extensive brewing products.

Before buying his first iGulu, Jack had been following the brand for a while. He first learned about it through Facebook ads, then joined a user group to read posts and experiences from real users. After comparing options online, he chose a green F1 as his first machine.

That first machine gave him two things he cared about: an easy way to brew iGulu kits, and the flexibility to explore Master Mode.

Jack's two-machine setup gives him room for both reliable brewing and new ideas.	German Helles reflects the easy, dependable side of Jack's brewing routine.

A Straightforward First Brew

Jack's first iGulu brew was German Helles. The process was smooth from the start.

My first experience was the German Helles and the process was very straight forward with no issues during the fermentation process.

After the brew was finished, Jack did what many hands-on users do: he kept learning. He watched videos about pressure adjustments, experimented with manual cooling, adjusted temperature and pressure, and worked on getting a better pour.

The Helles was not exactly his personal favorite style, since sweeter beers are not usually his preference. But he still felt the beer came out as it should: easy to drink, balanced for the style, and true to its name.

For Jack, that first brew showed that iGulu could make the standard kit experience simple and reliable. But it also showed him something else. There was room to keep exploring.

Why a Second F1 Made Sense

Jack did not add a second F1 simply because he wanted another machine. He added it because he already knew he wanted to keep brewing.

I planned on buying kits from day one. I will do some as is and make changes using Master Mode also. Since I am buying the kits anyway, it just made sense to get the F1 as part of the deal.

That is the key to understanding Jack's subscription decision. For him, subscription was not just about getting another F1. It fit the way he already planned to use iGulu. He wanted a regular supply of kits, but he also wanted the freedom to experiment. A second machine helped him do both.

Now, his two F1 machines each have a clear role. One helps keep iGulu kits moving. The other gives him space to try custom ideas, different schedules, and Master Mode adjustments.

Two machines allow me to keep a steady cycle and still not take up excessive space.

With two F1s, Jack can keep a more regular brewing rhythm without turning homebrewing into a large, complicated project. One batch can be fermenting while another idea is being planned. One machine can run a kit as designed, while the other can become a small testing ground for something more personal.

It is not about taking over more space. It is about giving each machine a purpose.

Brewing With Room to Experiment

Jack's approach to iGulu is practical and curious. Some kits, he brews as they are. Others become a starting point. With Master Mode, he can adjust fermentation schedules, work with different LME bases, try different yeasts, and test flavor additions.

He does not treat experimentation as something only experts can do. He researches, adjusts, and learns from the result.

I google brewing methods and schedules for using iGulu in Master Mode and make adjustments as needed. Don't be afraid to experiment, you might be pleasantly surprised with the result.

That attitude has already shaped several of his brews. He has adapted LME kits from other brewing systems for use in iGulu. He has worked with Brown Ale and Amber Ale bases, adjusted fermentation stages, and used Master Mode to add steps like a diacetyl rest and cold crash.

One Brown Ale experiment turned out especially well.

It turned out amazing.

For him, this is part of the fun. iGulu kits can be brewed as designed when he wants something straightforward. But they can also become a foundation for new ideas. A Porter might become a Mexican Vanilla Porter. An Irish Stout might become a Peanut Butter Stout. A familiar base can become something more personal with one thoughtful change.

Amber Ale	Brown Ale	Scotch Ale

Inspiration From Local Beer

Jack's ideas do not only come from recipes. They also come from beers he enjoys around him.

One local brewery near him makes a Peanut Butter Brown Ale. It began as a twist on their Nut Brown, which was already a regular beer on tap. But when the brewer experimented with a peanut butter version, it took off. According to Jack, the Peanut Butter Brown now outsells the original Nut Brown three to one.

That kind of story inspires him. It shows how a familiar beer style can become something memorable through a creative adjustment. It also reflects the way Jack thinks about iGulu: start with a solid base, then leave room for personal ideas.

Some of the styles he would like to see from iGulu in the future include Brown Ale, Scotch Ale, Hazy IPA, and English Bitter — styles with character, structure, and room for interpretation.

For Jack, trying different styles is not only about variety. It is a way to keep learning.

A Compact System That Keeps Moving

Jack still understands the tradeoff of a compact machine. He would enjoy more capacity, but he also knows that a larger system would mean a larger footprint. And that is exactly what he is trying to avoid.

For him, the value of iGulu is not only that it makes brewing easier. It is that it makes brewing easier to keep doing.

With two F1 machines, Jack has built a setup that fits his home and his style of brewing. Subscription keeps the kits flowing. Master Mode keeps the experiments open. The two machines together help him maintain a steady cycle without taking up excessive space.

For a retired electronics tinkerer who enjoys the process as much as the pour, that balance matters.

Jack's iGulu setup is simple, but not limited.

One F1 keeps the rhythm going. The other keeps the next idea alive.