In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide devices and methods for rapid fermentation. According to various embodiments, a device is provided comprising a container for housing an amount of a carbohydrate solution therein. An atomizer coupled to the container converts the carbohydrate solution into an aerosol suspension of particles that is emitted into a first chamber. A first panel separating the first chamber from a second chamber includes a fermentation agent thereon. The carbohydrate solution is emitted as the aerosol suspension of particles into the first chamber and onto the first panel such that the carbohydrate solution is fermented by the fermentation agent. The carbohydrate solution is collected in the second chamber and is returned to the atomizer until the carbohydrate solution has been fermented to a desired state. In certain embodiments, the fermentation agent comprises a yeast culture or other microorganism.

A beverage maker apparatus including a fermentation tank having a space in which a beverage is made, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the fermentation tank, a temperature controller configured to control the temperature of the fermentation tank, and a controller configured to operate when yeast is put into the beverage that is being made so that a fermentation process comprising a pre-fermentation process of controlling the temperature controller on the basis of a first setting temperature and a main-fermentation process of controlling the temperature controller on the basis of a second setting temperature.

An apparatus for the production of red wine is provided. This compact device is suitable for home and hobby use. The fermenting wine is contained inside a single-use plastic bag, eliminating cleaning. A reusable rubber bladder is inflated periodically to squeeze the cap and disperse it. At the conclusion of the fermentation, a perforated device is inserted into the fermentation bag and pneumatic bladders are sequentially inflated to press out the wine while retaining the waste skins and seeds.

A fermenter may include a fermentation container having a fermentation space in which a beverage is fermented and a first gas passage communicating with the fermentation space, and a fermentation lid opening and closing the fermentation container and having a second gas passage. When the fermentation lid closes the fermentation container, a gas chamber communicating with each of the first gas passage and the second gas passage is provided between the fermentation container and the fermentation lid.

A portable assembly for cooling the contents of a fermentation vessel is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises an insulated, cylindrical enclosure having a fixed bottom and a removable lid. A flexible heat exchanger is cylindrically disposed within the enclosure and encircles the fermentation vessel. In one embodiment, the flexible heat exchanger is connected to a vessel containing thermally conductive fluid by flexible tubes that extend outside the enclosure. In one embodiment, a heating element is used to heat the fermentation vessel.

In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide devices and methods for fermentation. According to various embodiments, a device is provided comprising a container for housing an amount of a carbohydrate solution therein. An atomizer coupled to the container converts the carbohydrate solution into an aerosol suspension of particles that is emitted into a first chamber. A first panel separating the first chamber from a second chamber includes a fermentation agent thereon. The carbohydrate solution is emitted as the aerosol suspension of particles into the first chamber and onto the first panel such that the carbohydrate solution is fermented by the fermentation agent. The carbohydrate solution is collected in the second chamber and is returned to the atomizer until the carbohydrate solution has been fermented to a desired state. In certain embodiments, the fermentation agent comprises a yeast culture or other microorganism.

A novel fermentation method uses a novel single stage horizontal cylindrical or partial cylindrical fermentor, larger in volume than the target volume of wine, which bounds the entire winemaking process. Fermentor has at least one opening for ingredient insert/removal, one-way venting gaseous closure, fermentor tilting prop, cavity space and bottling tap. Fermentor's cavity space and convex curvature underside provides for a fermentor rocking motion creating agitation and splashing for mixing the wine must and inducing ambient air/oxygen therein. A cavity space for fermentation foam expansion, heavier fermentation emitted CO.sub.2 gas purges out the ambient air/oxygen then retains CO.sub.2 gas providing a safe substantially oxygen free environment for a manually applied to the fermentor rocking motion creating agitation and splashing for mixing, degassing and resting the wine to clear in a safe substantially oxygen free environment until ready for direct bottling via bottling tap.

An apparatus for the production of red wine is provided. This compact device is suitable for home and hobby use. The fermenting wine is contained inside a single-use plastic bag, eliminating cleaning. A reusable rubber bladder is inflated periodically to squeeze the cap and disperse it. At the conclusion of the fermentation, a perforated device is inserted into the fermentation bag and pneumatic bladders are sequentially inflated to press out the wine while retaining the waste skins and seeds.

A novel fermentation method uses a novel single stage horizontal cylindrical or partial cylindrical fermentor, larger in volume than the target volume of wine, which bounds the entire winemaking process. Fermentor has at least one opening for ingredient insert/removal, one-way venting gaseous closure, fermentor tilting prop, cavity space and bottling tap. Fermentor's cavity space and convex curvature underside provides for a fermentor rocking motion creating agitation and splashing for mixing the wine must and inducing ambient air/oxygen therein. A cavity space for fermentation foam expansion, heavier fermentation emitted CO.sub.2 gas purges out the ambient air/oxygen then retains CO.sub.2 gas providing a safe substantially oxygen free environment for a manually applied to the fermentor rocking motion creating agitation and splashing for mixing, degassing and resting the wine to clear in a safe substantially oxygen free environment until ready for direct bottling via bottling tap.

The present invention relates to a flexible fermentation, storage, transportation, and dispensing vessel and, more particularly, to a vessel that is structured and/or configured to ferment and/or store a liquid that can be cooled and/or heated and/or pressurized and/or protected from environments that would affect fermentation as a standalone container and/or in conjunction with additional device(s) using a flexible material and/or ports and/or valves.