Casabrews Showcases Espresso Innovation at IHA 2026 in Chicago

Casabrews filled Booth #N8121 at McCormick Place with the smell of fresh espresso for three days straight during The Inspired Home Show (IHA) 2026, running March 10 through 12 in Chicago, previewing machines scheduled to hit the market through May while its baristas pulled shot after shot for visitors from around the world.

The home espresso brand, which positions itself as both a hardware company and a community platform for home baristas, brought four products to the floor: the ULTRA MAX, described by Casabrews as designed for serious home baristas with a powerful heating system and integrated grinder; the MARENZA, pitched as a refined balance of professional brewing capability and elegant design; the 5418 MAX, a compact everyday performer; and the TORNADO BASIC Grinder, built for precision grinding that pairs with home espresso setups.

Trade publication Homepagenews, covering the show in advance, used somewhat different product labels in its March 5 preview, referring to a "Casabrews Ultra" positioned as a premium upgrade for hosts and entertainers with highly customizable café drinks and an intuitive user interface, and a "5418 Pro" delivering fast heating, precise brewing, and powerful manual steam capable of producing latte-art-ready microfoam in new Black and Beige colorways. A third model referenced under the CM5418 designation carried features including enhanced heating stability, faster steam switching, and intelligent cleaning functions. The sources use different model names without explicitly mapping them to one another.

The more consequential news out of the booth may be what comes next. According to Homepagenews, the Ultra PRO and Marenza espresso machines are slated to launch in April, with the Tornado Basic grinder following in May. Casabrews' own booth recap listed the Marenza and Tornado Basic among showcased items at IHA, suggesting visitors got an early preview of machines not yet on shelves.

Live tastings ran continuously across all three days, with Casabrews baristas brewing espresso and milk-based drinks and fielding questions from enthusiasts looking to dial in their home shots. The company noted that the constant aroma of freshly brewed espresso became one of the defining features of the booth's atmosphere, drawing in passersby at one of North America's most prominent housewares exhibitions.

For anyone who missed the show floor, Casabrews currently offers free shipping on orders over $49 through its website, with the April machine launches approaching fast.