Combined brewing system

A brewing system for brewing a fermented alcoholic beverage at home or on a small scale, said system comprising a single pressurizable vessel which in use performs at least the brewing steps of fermentation, natural carbonation, sediment removal, maturation and draw off, wherein said vessel comprises:

• a sealable opening providing access to the interior of the vessel;
• a temperature control system comprising (i) a heating element removably or permanently positioned outside of the vessel or a heating probe positioned inside of the vessel, (ii) a refrigeration unit removably or permanently positioned outside of the vessel or a cooling probe positioned inside of the vessel, and (iii) a temperature regulation device to selectively control the temperature of the contents of the vessel by heating and cooling as required during fermentation, natural carbonation, maturation and draw off;
• a pressure regulating device coupled with the vessel and positioned outside of the vessel, the pressure regulating device configured to release excess carbon dioxide from the vessel generated during fermentation for controlling pressure build-up in the vessel and maintaining an amount of carbon dioxide in the vessel to achieve natural carbonation of the beverage;
• a sediment removal means comprising a tapered profile in a lower region of the vessel where sediment is collected, and a dump valve positioned in the lower region, the dump valve being configured for separating and removing the collected sediment from the lower region of the vessel while the vessel is under pressure;
• a gas inlet port positioned on an external surface of the vessel and providing fluid communication with the interior of the vessel, the gas inlet port configured for receiving a compressed gas containing carbon dioxide and introducing the compressed gas into the vessel to facilitate dispensing of the contents of the vessel, and to maintain the natural carbonation level of the beverage;
• and
• a draft dispense mechanism comprising a beer outlet line positioned in the vessel and in fluid communication with a beer outlet port on an exterior surface of the vessel, the draft dispense mechanism being removably or permanently fixed to the vessel for drawing off the contents of the vessel.