Been gone a few years, what's new?

[breeves2245]

Brewed for about 10 years or so around 2007-2017. Moved and did not take my brewing equipment as the other house was not favorable for the setup. Figured I was done. Had a basement and a 240 volt brew in the bag 15 gallon system and converted freezer with four pulls. Starting out with the turkey fryer and bottling that most beginners use.

Retired now and keep thinking about getting back in the game. New house with plenty of room. Wondering how the landscape has changed from ten years ago. I see the Microsoft counter top brewer is now gone, not that I was considering it for now.

Question - Any basic changes in new/improved equipment? What setup would you experienced brewers buy today with a budget up to 5k or so? Need to find something to burn that IRA money on!

 

[stamandster]

Welcome back! I would take a look at a AIO unit to start out with again, honestly. There have certainly been some thinking that has been adjusted in process (check out some articles from brulosophy, scott janish, even yeast providers like wyeast and lallemand, etc) Something like this https://www.vevor.com/beer-brewing-...ystem-w-circulating-pump-8-gal-p_010556912690

 

[fluketamer]

yeah welcome back,
i was going to say the AIO's make brewing very user friendly.
and are very reasonably priced now. tip top of the line is def under a grand.

also PET kegging is definitely new check out the oxebar 20l

5 k is ridiculous budget IMO. enough to get a small brewery going (if it wasnt for all the redtape)

if money wasnt an issue (like it seems to be for you) ,
i would get the ss brewtech chronical

just look at all the bling on that thang.

and pair that with there glycol chiller .

and with all the extra cash get some doped out premade kegerator

like the komos double wide

and your are done .

good luck let us know what you decide .

 

[breeves2245]

Thanks for those suggestions. I'm in deep research mode and the first thing I see is a 5k budget seems a bit high. I remember prices being much higher back in the day for upper tier equipment. I'm not going cheap but looks like I can get some very nice pieces for much less.

 

[madscientist451]

If I was going to start over, I’d keep it small, easy to clean, simple to use. BIAB single vessel. A cheap freezer, a temp cont unit, couple of kegs with picnic taps for serving. Some swing top bottles for your barley wine and other high ABV your not gonna drink every day.

 

[Jag75]

Welcome back!!

What size batches are you going to be brewing?

 

[worlddivides]

If I had a 5k budget, I'd probably get a really nice 5-tap kegerator and an all-in-one system like the Grainfather or BrewZilla. Also, maybe an Ss Brewtech conical too. No need to spend that much money, of course, but if you want to, you can get a really elaborate setup.

 

[Kickass]

Assuming 5 gallons.

I’ve done turkey fryer and igloo, as well as 3v propane. I currently do EBIAB and love it. If me, here’s what I would do: Run 240v, get a controller and a blichmann boil coil for a 15 gallon SS kettle. EBIAB is a good balance between “set and forgot” AIO’s and traditional 3v setup. To me, it’s engaging enough to feel like I’m in control but lacks the hours of assembly, clean up and disassembly. I’m happy to share pictures and more details of my setup if you’re interested.

I had a couple SS Brewtech conical fermenters but found they were overly unnecessary. Beer porn and stimulating, yes. Practical, nope. I use buckets and carboys but if in your position, I’d probably look into some of the fancy plastic conical fermenters. Maybe even pressure rated to ferment warm under pressure.

 

[Jag75]

If I had a 5k budget, I'd probably get a really nice 5-tap kegerator and an all-in-one system like the Grainfather or BrewZilla. Also, maybe an Ss Brewtech conical too. No need to spend that much money, of course, but if you want to, you can get a really elaborate setup.

I have the Grainfather , CF5 FV and a diy chiller . Grainfather has been great since day 1.

 

[HM-2]

It's not going to cost you $5k, but a Brewzilla or Grandfather with double batch capacity (55-70L), a couple of decent 7 Gal stainless conicals so you have capacity for two concurrent batches, half a dozen kegs, glycol, CO2 and a homebuilt 3 or 4 tap kegerator is a pretty much perfect home hobbyist setup.

Just add any accoutrements you want for stuff like zero oxygen dry hopping, if brewing IPAs is your bag.

 

[breeves2245]

Welcome back!!

What size batches are you going to be brewing?

I'll probably do the same as before. Pale ales and IPA's but no imperials. Some porters/stouts. Amazing how much I forgot about the overall process after ten years. I had a 15 gallon and don't remember that being too small.

 

[broot]

Welcome back. I have switched from propane to electric and opted for the Blichmann surface for a boil kettle and a boil coil in a 15 gallon ss brewtech . I love the surface and would have both Surface kettles if I were to do it all over again even though I already had the SS kettle. I would also look into the Blichmann breweasy w/surface Kettle. The surface is very easy to clean, nothing in the way and seems to heat faster than the boil coil. (but I have never timed the difference so it may just be in my head!) The surface is also lifetime warranty.

 

[corncob]

If I had money to spend, I would look real hard at the manufactured kegerator.

I have never had the urge to dump trub, so I don't lust after the conical. For the same price, you can throw away an infected fermzilla all rounder per year for many years. I would go with one (fermzilla all rounder + new mini fridge + inkbird 308) per batch you plan to be fermenting concurrently and spend the money saved on more kegs.

Lots of ways to make wort.

 

[Somesaymybeerisdrinkable]

If I had money to spend, I would look real hard at the manufactured kegerator.

I have never had the urge to dump trub, so I don't lust after the conical. For the same price, you can throw away an infected fermzilla all rounder per year for many years. I would go with one (fermzilla all rounder + new mini fridge + inkbird 308) per batch you plan to be fermenting concurrently and spend the money saved on more kegs.

Lots of ways to make wort.

I could see switching to a conical if I ever start measuring my batch size in BBL, but I just don't drink that much.

 

[BrewZer]

I could see switching to a conical if I ever start measuring my batch size in BBL, but I just don't drink that much.

You can get 7 gallon stainless or PET conical fermenters for $600 or less.

 

[fluketamer]

You can get 7 gallon stainless or PET conical fermenters for $600 or less.

much much less


https://www.morebeer.com/products/b...s_AEaJouFZUyj0Ds_shTIkunSYM3SEsMaAjmYEALw_wcB

$150 at morebeer

 

[Jag75]

The OP is wanting to brew 15 gallon batches. Check out Stout tank and kettles. I brew with their 3bbl system . Their quality is pretty dang good.

 

[shoengine]

Seems like there is a lot of people getting out of the hobby. If you aren't in a hurry I'd keep an eye on the classifieds here, FB marketplace and Craigslist if you aren't put off by someone else's stuff. Can possibly drop spends by half that way.

 

[johnsonpvb17]

Go stainless, high quality, a couple of temp controlled conicals, a glycol chiller, a programable 240V boiler system, convenient 240v outlet wiring to code, ample kegerator capacity, kegs and some stainless work benches, storage cabinets, and you'll have a nice set up for around $5k. And have way more fun than shopping for 500 $10~ bottles of beer.