55 Gallon AE Kettle system

[wadefisher]

This license is here in PA correct? I remember you having two places. Let me know when you're legal, ill carry your stuff here at the bar. I've done some promotions for nanos recently. I like keeping the place local.

Hey boswell;
Yes the brewery is in Lewistown PA, just north of Harrisburg.
That would be great if you would handle our stuff.
We will talk more when we get close to going live.
Thanks

 

[boswell]

Heck yeah, get with me when you're legal. I've had some nanos that are still waiting on paperwork bring in cornys and give beer away to drum up support/criticism if you're interested. Last dude set up a jockey box and brought literature. I'm not trying to make money on it, or be shady for tips or anything, he just gave it away and asked for impressions. Got him a lot of support, I'm all in for PA breweries.

 

[wadefisher]

boswell; Sweet bar, nice web site. We will put something together for sure.

Again THANKS.

 

[gunner65]

It would be 'substandard'.

Even beer stone in your Boil Kettle can harbor nasties that may not be neutralized in a boil.

Sanitation starts with cleaning. Threaded fitting that are subjected to wort can not be effectively cleaned without disassembly.

Its really not that hard, but will be part of the process.
I'm not willing to risk 100 gallons of beer on short cuts.

I agree risking a 5g batch is nothing in comparison

 

[milldoggy]

WadeFisher,
Think your email was hacked, got an odd email from your live account.

 

[wadefisher]

Well TTB got back to me and ask for a few small items and we are now 'under review'

1 step closer.

 

[barryfine]

Any updates? I live close to you and would love to check out your place if you're up and running now!

 

[wadefisher]

TTB was a breeze compared to working with PLCB. They are giving me all kinds of grief because I am not doing the norm. Every communication with them and correspondence takes a month round trip. I have added more equipment and need to update some pictures.
I did brew a 38 gallon batch of Wiezen last week and the system worked great. Going to have a 4th of July party.

 

[lud]

Plcb?

 

[wadefisher]

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

 

[wadefisher]

Here is a pic of the Thompsen Pump. The other 'nano' pumps were not doing a very good job so I laid out the $$ for this baby. It can take it all. and totally sanitary.

 

[sohara]

Curious. Which model did you get and where did you get. I haven't had much luck tracking down prices on the Thomsens on-line.

 

[wadefisher]

McMaster Carr. I think it is the only SS one with TC connections. And its like $1200.

 

[barryfine]

Thanks for the update! Did you need to get approved by the Feds before you could even apply for the state license? I'm hoping to go through that process in a couple years. What have been the biggest challenges so far to getting approved by PA?

 

[wadefisher]

Thanks for the update! Did you need to get approved by the Feds before you could even apply for the state license? I'm hoping to go through that process in a couple years. What have been the biggest challenges so far to getting approved by PA?

You do the TTB first, the PLCB will need your TTB "Brewers Notice" number. But there is a way with PLCB to do a pre approval. This I did not originally know.

The biggest problem I am having is that I am trying to share an industrial building I already rent. They have issues with the Lease and with me sectioning off 'part' of a building. I can have no doors that lead to any other part of the building. I tried to get an exemption for the doors that are in the rooms but they wont let me. The doors must open to the outside, or-so-they-say. I know they can give exemptions, it even states 'unless exempted by the board'. But we are dealing with PLCB one of the worse PA government bodies for being reasonable.

 

[barryfine]

You do the TTB first, the PLCB will need your TTB "Brewers Notice" number. But there is a way with PLCB to do a pre approval. This I did not originally know.

The biggest problem I am having is that I am trying to share an industrial building I already rent. They have issues with the Lease and with me sectioning off 'part' of a building. I can have no doors that lead to any other part of the building. I tried to get an exemption for the doors that are in the rooms but they wont let me. The doors must open to the outside, or-so-they-say. I know they can give exemptions, it even states 'unless exempted by the board'. But we are dealing with PLCB one of the worse PA government bodies for being reasonable.

Thanks for the info! Good luck getting your license! I'd love to visit your brewery once you're up and running. Are you going to have a tasting room?

 

[wadefisher]

No real tasting room, we are a production brewery. But visitors will be welcomed.

 

[wadefisher]

Sorry for such a delay, We recieved our final state license and health department inspection.

This is a shot of me on my first brew day. Already have 2 bars lined up to do promotions when we launch our brew on August 16th

 

[wadefisher]

I've filled two 3 barrel conicals so far. Getting ready to move the first one over to the bright tank soon.
I made a Blonde Ale and a Wiezen. Two of my favorite recipes for picnics. So I think they will go well in a bar setting.

This picture shows the pump and heat exchanger and the oxygenation.

 

[hammis]

sweet! good luck, you're living the dream

 

[wadefisher]

sweet! good luck, you're living the dream

Thanks hammis, I am really enjoying it even though it is a lot of work.

 

[barryfine]

Congrats man! When I find a little time, I'd love to stop by and check out your setup! I'm about 2 hours away from you.

 

[arcticz1]

WOW! Awesome! Subscribed.

 

[wadefisher]

I've not posted too much here lately but you can follow my nano brewing adventures on FaceBook/DrunkMonkeyBrewWerks yes that is the German word for Works
My beer is being well received everywhere. I'm still learning my system. I've already made plans for more bigger fermenters and BK.

My Brand is "Captain Jack's" 'Fine ales and lagers' you can see the T's we are wearing.
In the photo we are at State College Beer Expo. I was checking this out to be in it next year. It is only 35 minutes from my brewery.

 

[Windsors]

Wadefisher - great job. You are doing what most of us just dream about.

I just noticed that you were in Lewistown, PA. My wife still has alot of relatives in Lewistown. I never suggested that we go visit, but now I will. Are you ever brewing on weekends ?

Also, I remember some great hotdogs in town with Texas chile sauce, mustard and onions. Are they still there ?

Bill

 

[wadefisher]

Wadefisher - great job. You are doing what most of us just dream about.

I just noticed that you were in Lewistow, PA. My wife's still has alot of relatives in Lewistown. I never suggested that we go visit, but now I will. Are you ever brewing on weekends ?

Also, I remember some great hotdogs in town with Texas chile saw, mustard and onions. Are they still there ?

Bill

Many times I am active in the brewery on weekends. And yes to the dogs at Laskaris's on the square, they are famous.

 

[wadefisher]

Here is a shot of my Tap Handles and Logo

 

[wadefisher]

The system itself is working as intended. The controllers I built with the help of these forums and members do their job very well. People are impressed when I show them my little brewery and tell them I built the controllers and that Mickey in the shop built my kettles. I want to thank everyone on the board, because they share information so willingly and take time to answer questions.

Thanks again everyone

 

[Veritas]

In the photo we are at State College Beer Expo. I was checking this out to be in it next year. It is only 35 minutes from my brewery.

Hey Wadefisher. I live in State College and was also at the beer expo. Sorry we didn't meet! If I had seen your crew in their matching gear I would have introduced myself.

Are your beers on the market? I'd even make the run to Lewistown to give it a go.

Cheers.

 

[Veritas]

To all of you who might be in the Lewistown, PA area, you must stop by and try one Captain Jack's ales! My lady and I rode the Harley to Lewistown from State College, and had a nice meal at the Waterfront Tavern, where they currently have Captain Jack's Wit beer and blond ale on tap. I admit to having tried both. The wit was a wonderfully fresh; the phenols and esters gave it a nice gentle banana with very subtle clove character. If I wasn't on the Harley, I would have had a few more. The blond was nicely hopped, crisp, very drinkable.

Great to see one of us "living the dream," and producing great beer for local population. If you're in central PA, you gotta try this. Well done!