Hopcat Brewing Systems Reviews 34

I have been brewing beer for a long time and was recommended the Hopcat brewing system by a new friend. After sampling many of his beers that were made using the system, it really was a no brainer but to get one myself. I chose the 45L Hopcat Mk3. I thought the price was very reasonable compared to other similar units on the market. I was especially impressed with the amount of equipment that is thrown in for free. This is quite a big deal as these extras are expensive to buy and essential components.
The machine was delivered in good time and was well packaged.
I am on my 5th brew now and I am so pleased with it. It makes brewing so much more fun. The mashing process is its biggest asset. It is very consistent and with the added circulating pump, extracts very impressive sugar levels. The machine is very simple to use. The whole process can be totally automatic or you can tinker with the settings to suit your needs.
Cleaning the machine is very easy and uncomplicated.
I was very impressed with the Hopcat support team. They answered all my enquiries, which gave me the confidence to buy from them.
Needless to say I am very happy with the beer I have produced. The Hopcat brewing system is such an incredible bit of kit, every beer brewer should have one.

I left the hopcat on for 2 weeks which must have overheated the pcb. It was replaced f.o.c within days, and this was 5 years after buying it!

Really good value 65L kit. Took a while to arrive..
Had everything to get started at a "good enough" quality. wasnt expecting top tier at that price.
Running for 2 years so far with no issues.

After much worry as to whether this would actually turn up, mainly due to a lot of bad reviews, it has arrived.

I've got to say that throughout the purchase process, hopcat have been on the ball regarding communication and keeping me in the loop.

No dents, very well packaged and a spare sight glass inside.

So, overall, credit where credit is due.
The bad reviews may well be correct but someone seems to be trying to repair a bad situation.

Whomever you are, keep up the good work.

I am trying to obtain a replacement recirculating sight glass for my Mk 2 60l Hopcat. I've only used the machine 7 times and the plastic sight glass recirculating pipe has completely broken in two under the top clip. I know can't use it. I bought it brand new from a friend who needed to stop brewing by the time he received. Therfore I don't have an order number to reference.
I have messaged Hopcat via Facebook, their website and by email to ask if I can arrange to have a replacement. Not had a response from any and they've not even read the Messenger one. I can't seem to find where else to get them from.
Makes their machines poor value if you can't get a response as and when things go wrong.

Hopcat is the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to deal with.
My unit broke down within the warranty period. Despite requests to have it replaced I was simply sent a replacement PCB which failed to resolve the unit's total failure. Have sent a video of the non-functioning unit as requested received no further communication.
Extremely poor company to deal with. Will have to resort to referring the company to trading standards.

Quick update: First communication from the company in days as a direct result of this review. Have been told that my warranty is void. Only used the unit 8 times but because I am a publican and registered brewer who sold a few pints I have used a domestic brewing system commercially, thereby invalidating the warranty. Avoid this company. There are reputable traders to buy from - you can tell because there is a contact phone number.

Just bought a BrewMonk Titan. Can’t believe the difference in build quality. Much more robust. Speed that it came up to temperature was astounding. DO NOT waste your money on a Hopcat.

I filed a fraud claim with my credit card company. To recap: I ordered a unit March 13 that was shipped with incorrect customs forms and returned to them April 2. I had to research this all myself because despite multiple emails to them explaining I hadn't received my unit they never responded with more than "we're looking into it." Once I posted here that I'd filed a fraud claim with my credit card company I got a defensive email about how many units they ship and how few problems they usually have, as if that was some kind of explanation for not sorting out a simple problem and responding to a customer. They are utterly unresponsive and a fly-by-night operation. Much easier to but this same product under a different brand name.

So update my review they stole from me. These people are thieves. Took my money and only delivered half and ignored all email contact. Thiefs. Robbers .scum.do not deal with. Scum scum scum

I’d just like to say that the Hopcat team have excelled themselves this time. I mentioned on Thursday that my system’s controller had packed in and was looking for a fix or some advice. James Isgoed Williams told me to contact support for a new PCB which I did, and despite being out of warranty by 2 years they sent me a new PCB for free which arrived on Saturday! Now fitted and working perfectly, can’t fault that kind of service.

I have just received my new 45L Hopcat Mk3, I have not had chance to brew on it yet so this is just a review of the buying experience. Hopcat answered all of my queries swiftly, when I contacted them, reference dimensions, dead space under the malt pipe, kettle losses etc. They were very open and honest with me and assured me there was UK stock. I decided to take the gamble as it is a very attractive brew system with loads of extras, but has received very harsh criticism on review sites such as this. I have, as I'm sure many of you have had to endure extended delays due to COVID and Brexit so I do understand peoples frustration.

My Hopcat was shipped the day after my order by DPD which is great as you can track it and get an hour delivery window. It was all packaged really securely and was in great condition when removing from the box. The machining is all pristine and was very simple to put together using the supplied user guide. It is a big step up from my Klarstein mash kettle Ive been using for the last few years.

I am really looking forward to brew day when my ingredients arrive. I will edit my review once I have put a few brews through it and had time to assess its performance.

All in all I have been very impressed with the service I have received and the amazing value for money that Hopcat provide.

I don't like to write bad reviews, but this time I'm forced to. I bought a hopcat fermentor last year in 8/9 month, the fermenter came only in the 12th .. when I wrote to them in the mail no one answered for a very long time. when they finally answere they apologized with the excuse that they had problems with the shipment. ok, i got over that thing. they even said they would send a gift because I waited patiently. when the fermenter finally came, it came cracked. and the gift of course did not come. except fermentor came cracked it came much smaller than what was written on the web shop. it was supposed to come of 22 liters and it came of 18liters !! when I contacted them about a broken fermenter in the mail again no one answered for a month. I sent a few emails ... and again I didn't get any response. after I sent them an angry email they replied and offered to send me a replacement new part, but the problem in my fermenter was that they didn't weld the handle well so it couldn't help me send a new part but only a correct fermenter with a weld handle. when I wrote it to them again no one answered me. it's been a month. i have to say that the hopcat is very frivolous and my experiences with them are horrible. think twice before you shop at them.

Had the most brilliant service from the guys at hopcat, was a bit unsure and had lots of questions, they patiently answered all of my questions and steered me in the direction of the right equipment for me (they could have easily convinced me i needed more expensive equipment but were honest and helpful). I ordered the hopcat at midday on wednesday, you can imagine my surprise when it arrive just before midday thursday (today) ! this is even more impressive given i live on the Isle of Wight and things always seem to take an extra day to get here!! Having unpacked the machine it is incredibly well made, lots of free equipment with it and i am absoultely raring to go and brew on it.
I really could not recommend these guys highly enough, and will be buying some ss fermentors from them very soon (again they were honest about what was and wasnt in stock, when it would arrive so i didnt buy one initially but will do very soon).
Well done HopCat !

Ordered a full system they had "on offer". Waited the 3 months for delivery. Delivery was a couple of days late, with no communication from Hopcat. They failed to respond to my email. I then sent a second email saying the system had arrived but the lid was incorrect. I did receive a response to that email saying they were arranging to fly some items over and would send the right lid. That was meant to be sent in September 2020 and since then there has been no delivery and no response to my emails.
I have never dealt with a company that has such poor customer service. Anyone giving 5 stars on here has to be extremely lucky or fake because too many people are saying the same thing. They even have a dedicated facebook page purely about customer service!

A long time later but I’ve just read their reply to me. I don’t just come on here to complain - my 5 star reviews prove that. Also, we’re still waiting for the lid - not shipped to us in Sept 2020 after all. So everything I said still stands!

Poor communication from start to finish, eventually blaming external issues whilst still offering goods for sale and giving “next week delivery”. Goods never arrived and had to go through my bank for a refund, I would highly recommend saving a little extra and spending a little more elsewhere. I can’t imagine what the aftercare would be like if needed.

*UPDATE* I finally received a reply from Hopcat, first contact I've had since they tried to take my money without supplying anything in return! I "stuck by them" for months, I went to the bank because you ignored all of my correspondence. Lucky I didn't take you to court.

They take payment without supplying goods. I've been waiting nearly 3 months for delivery of an item that was supposed to be in stock.

I've contacted them several times but they just ignore me. The reason why they're cheap is because you don't receive anything for your payment!

If you're still thinking about buying one, check out the Facebook pages, you'll get a laugh out of it if nothing else.

Ordered a 45L hopcat and a fermenter on September pre-order. Once tackled with a financial thing in my personal life, I asked HopCat to cancel my order since I would've got better things to do with those Euros. I was concerned by reading previous comments that I wouldn't get a reply - I was wrong, HC replied pretty fast (asked them the questions, got a reply to email). The reply was though, very pushing, that will I accept if they send the 45L immediately, and the fermenter later? Well, I thought it was a pre-order, but if you do have stuff already there, please go on. I think I'll survive and these equipments are what I've been wanting a long time.

So I got my 45L on time in the late September. Would I got if hadn't asked for it? Probably not.

Then I followed the shipment from China to UK, it arrived on time in the beginning of October. I waited for about 2,5 weeks where my fermenter would be. I had to ask them couple of times, and finally they shipped the fermenter too.

There have been so much of a things going on with this order and this company, that I would be suspicious if I didn't get my stuff. No real updates what's really going on, people are writing they aren't getting their products.. I'm also wondering if something brakes down will I get anything replaced. There are basically no customer service at all ("they" are always on a vacation or something) and some people haven't received any answers.

The quality of the brewing kettle is OK for the money. The same machine as Klarstein, Beermonk etc.

The quality of the fermenter though is basic Chinese s***. Really hard cutting edges in the lid so I cut my finger on it, low quality taps I had to buy proper ones from a decent store (Yea they cost just a couple of Euros..), and the Legs support are really weak. Also when you close the fermenter with those seals or whatever they are called, you pull them down and it seals the lid to the fermenter, they will get broken eventually. Its like a childs toy.

I would avoid this, but since with that money you got a lot of stuff, if you manage the get the stuff, its quite a good deal. But as a home brewer, do you really need more than 45L capacity or even 45L? I doubt. Get a beer brewer from some where else with 35L capacity for instance.

I purchased the 65 L BIAB a deal that came with a 30L fermenter, plus the 60 Fermenter.
My order was placed in September of 2020.
I was sent an email confirmation.
Nothing has arrived, not even an email. Trying to contact them is impossible !!.
I have contacted the Queen twice and received written replies from her office within two weeks.
This Company is fast to accept your order, but will not reply to you.i have read too many bad reviews of the same treatment. The only good reviews apeer to come from the same I.P. Address. After service is non existent.
After waiting until today. Having sent so many emails, 31st Oct 2020.
I have decided to do the sensible thing and contacted the card upon the purchase took place.
To cancel my order.
Have a good look, are the massive percentage of people, telling you to be causause, or is a Company that doesn't deliver your paid for goods. Then ignores your attempts to contact them ?. Phone is a no no.
That's been my genuine experience.
I am now being attacked for no reason, but have a as implying I would keep the goods and not pay for them.
???. I am sickened. I am £900 out of pocket !¡!!.

(Upgrading my rating after goods received)

Ordered my second Fermenter 10th August and I have received 20th November
Rarely respond to email. The two responses I got claimed each delayed shipments from China, but it is about to arrive and ship 'next' week. But then nothing ships.
Read later in Facebook forum that their shipment supposedly had been blocked due to mistake of the shipping company.

Had bought my first fermenter from them a year ago and after a bit of wait time (not as long as this time) they actually shipped it and it was good.

Overall quality of goods is good I think. But please be prepared for long shipping time and not so great updates until it ships finally.
One basically places a preorder of goods that will be ordered later from China

I purchased a fermenter from hopcat and waited several weeks for delivery - the wait was not so much an issue as it was a pre-order, but a lack of communication or updates turned it into a negative experience.

A couple of weeks after the item arrived, I had chance to try use it only to discover that it was about 10% smaller in volume than described on the website. Advertised as a 22L unit, but in my opinion, you'd be lucky to ferment a 15L batch in it as it will only physically hold 19.5L.

Aside from the size, the finish on the fermenter is rather poor. Sheet metal edges have had no treatment to remove sharp edges and there are multiple scratches inside the vessel.

I tried to contact them to get them to take the unit back and my emails have been more or less ignored and I'm currently pursuing a refund via my credit card provider.

I went for the 65L brewer about a year ago in the Black Friday sale (to be honest I think it was the standard pricing but lots came with it compared to other brands - paddle & accessories).

I had my brewer within a week as it wasn’t a pre-order, they had them in stock at the time. Anytime I’ve contacted them since with any questions they have come back to me with the answers promptly.

The machine itself has gone well for me however a point to note is the water measurements inside the unit aren’t accurate so I use the ones on the sight glass instead.