55 Gallon AE Kettle system

[DrPhilGood]

I love this thread and wish you were closer to NYC. What kind of hoses are you using? Did you consider a tankless heater instead of the two tanks?

P.s. I agree with the KISS approach for the controls and makes things much easier to upgrade/alternate equipment.

 

[wadefisher]

DrPhilGood:
I am using 3/4" Silicone. Its a good price quality ration. True 'brewers' hoses are quite expensive per foot. The clear reinforced ones don't take temperature very well. We pump boiling water through all fittings and hoses right before brewing to sanitize so I had to have something that could take the heat. Don't trust chemical sanitizing when you have a lot of fittings and pumps. I get mine from McMaster Carr.
A tank-less water heater is in our planning. It can be use to preheat water before it gets to the HLT. But I don't believe they are accurate enough to use in place of a HLT. I would like to get one to find out. I've heard of nano's using tank-less even as thier HLT.

Our little nano is cranking beer out as fast as we can. Need to buy more fermenters.

 

[wadefisher]

Here is some pictures of us bottling. We just started selling in bottles.

 

[wadefisher]

More Pictures

 

[wadefisher]

DrunkMonkeyBrewWerks.com
FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/DrunkMonkeyBrewWerks
More pic's and info on these sites.
I've been spending a lot of time designing labels and getting them approved by Government.

 

[wadefisher]

Anyone thinking about doing the Nano thing. It will cost you much more than you think, money and time. Don't expect to make a lot of money. But is is a lot of fun.

 

[DrPhilGood]

Have you hit a point where you are regretting not going bigger from the start? Has this become your full time job?

Bottling looks like a long day

 

[wadefisher]

Have you hit a point where you are regretting not going bigger from the start? Has this become your full time job?

Bottling looks like a long day

Small production means small mistakes. I know from other business ventures it's better to learn the hard-way with small numbers. I have no regrets starting with this system. But I am already planning something bigger.
We have refined a lot of process since starting this. When I go bigger I will be much more confident in what I need out of a system.

Bottling by hand with any product is time consuming. 3 guys can knock out a 90 gallon batch in 3 - 4 hours.

If you would put this in the right setting a guy might be able to make a living, at best.
Many variables.

 

[DrPhilGood]

Oh 3-4 hours isn't bad at all. I know what you mean about small mistakes. We made so many blunders on a 10 gallon this year that if it were a nano we would be bankrupt.

Have you considered retailing as an option to make up profits? A tap room, or just selling cases of beer out of your shop? Distributing wholesale has to be tough at that level.

 

[wadefisher]

Have you considered retailing as an option to make up profits? A tap room, or just selling cases of beer out of your shop? Distributing wholesale has to be tough at that level.

We have been doing direct sales of Growlers and bottles because of public demand. Where I am I can not do Tap Room sales, just take out. It has been extra $$ and we really like connecting with the customers. I originally was not going to but it is a good thing that we are doing it now.

 

[wadefisher]

Well, it was a very short time but we are retiring the all electric 1.5 BBL and moving to a 3 BBL steam. All kettles and controls are being re purposed for other applications at first, but I may end up selling them. This was an awesome system and a great project. We made well over 100 barrels of beer. Our facebook is fb/DrunkMonkeyBrewWerks if you want to see what is happening.
BTW, true to our HB background we have built our own 3 BBL system. We have installed a 7 BBL fermenting tank and we are taking delivery of a 10 BBL tank. This should 'catch us up' for a short while. I am making plans on moving the brewery to its own building in the next few months.
It's like we have a Drunk Monkey by-the-tail! I'm just holding on for the ride!

 

[DrPhilGood]

Sounds like good news, Congrats! Going to be brewing triple batches for the 10 bbl tank I see. Is it difficult keeping up with demand?

 

[wadefisher]

Yes to the multiple batches. We have filled our 7 BBL tank several times with the 1.5 BBL BK....... That is a long day!

Here is a picture of the 3 BBL. You can see the 1.5 BBL brew house along the back wall. We are using the old BK to heat water for mashing.

 

[nvr2low]

just read through this entire post, great job!

working on a nano setup now so this is true inspiration!

 

[wadefisher]

just read through this entire post, great job!

working on a nano setup now so this is true inspiration!

Follow your dream!
Don't listen to the 'nay sayers'

 

[DrPhilGood]

What kind of pump are you running in that shot under the kettle?

 

[wadefisher]

What kind of pump are you running in that shot under the kettle?

I can't think of the brand name, but Grainger sells it. Look for their 'Sanitary' pumps. It cost like $1200. It's a big brand name for pumps. It has true sanitary connections, 1 1/2" TC. No threads anywhere. Threads are the devil when trying to keep sanitary.

 

[DrPhilGood]

Is it a different pump from your thompson that you posted earlier on in this thread?

 

[wadefisher]

Same pump. I couldn't think of the manufacture. That thing will last forever.

 

[DrivewayBeer]

Hi. Just read though the whole thread and I have to say, way to go!

I was wondering how you liked your tippy dump setup for your 55 gallon mash tun. I liked your design and plan to do something similar. could you perhaps post a few more pics of it. Did you like how it worked? Thanks much

 

[wadefisher]

DrivewayBeer;

Tipping system is fantastic! I will try to get more pic's

 

[DrivewayBeer]

That would be great. If you could give the dimensions too if you have them I would be very grateful!

 

[NatchezBrew]

I would like to know how well the jet05 pump held up. It was said the pumps were replaced but for what specific reason

 

[andybeerguy]

I would like to know how well the jet05 pump held up. It was said the pumps were replaced but for what specific reason

Long time reader and new Member. Wadefisher, thanks for posting this project in its entirety. It's extremely helpful. I hope to get up there to try your beer. I wanted to second NatchezBrew's question. At 15 gallons, my system doesn't warrant a $1200 sanitary pump, but the Jet05 would be a reasonable investment and eliminate the last non sanitary fittings in my RIMS system. What was the issue with the Jet 05?

 

[Big_Cat]

I like this thread