Buying into a top-notch brewing system: Build me a setup for $3K

[brewthat]

I am ready to get serious about brewing and have some money to invest into a really good system. I have "up to" $3K to spend, but would ideally like to keep the spend closer to $2K.

I am thinking of a 3 tier type system on either a vertical stand, or horizontal...

Now, full disclosure: I am no brewing pro, so I probably don't need a lot of fancy super expert techy gear that I don't know what to do with. I just want some quality 10 gallon gear that will last a long time.

What type of quality equipment should I look into? Please build me a kit!

THANKS

 

[brewmasterorr]

I would just go for something like the brew easy.

http://shop.greatfermentations.com/product/blichmann-breweasy-gas/blichmann-engineering-sale

Or if you want the full three vessel system I would save a little more for a morebeer tippy dump.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/tippy-dump-brewsculpture-v4.html

Of course you can customize and build which will save you money.

Jeff

 

[timdillon36]

Keep an eye out for rigs for sale from ppl looking to move inside or are done brewing or what ever. U can pick up a nice rig for 2K.

And ask for a copy of the brew day notes and recipes.

That info with the setup, I don't know if u can put a number on that.

Edit:https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=570373

 

[Bobby_M]

15 gallon brew-boss system.

 

[Drumminguy81]

In my opinion for that kind of money I would go with a single tier/pumps and some new spike brewing kettles.. but then again I am a little bias because that is what I have.

 

[dmcman73]

1. Will you be using Gas (propane/natural gas) or electric?
2. Build the system yourself or buy a pre-fab one?

If you're going to put one together (it really isn't that hard and you can get better stuff doing so) I recommend Spike Brewing kettles. They will custom make the kettles in any configuration you want. If you are going to brew electric, have Spike weld a 2" Tri clamp fitting on the kettle for the heating element. I recommend the 2 inch Tri clamp over the 1.5 inch because it will be easier to install the element into the kettle easier, especially if you'll use the wavy element.

If going all electric, get a control panel from Kal at the Electric Brewery (http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/). In fact you can use his website to build your system out, he has step by step instructions on everything from start to finish and also sells a complete electric control panel.

 

[kh54s10]

There are so many routes you can go. BIAB, Electric BIAB. Propane single burner and a pump to a water cooler/ ice chest HLT - water cooler/ice chest mash tun. Propane 3 tier with HLT and BK burners. 3 tier with 3 burners. 2 tier, Single tier with pumps, All electric, Pre-configured systems, DIY, a combination.

If I were to come across any disposable income my choices right now are between the Grainfather, Brewboss and Colorado Brewing Systems Nano Brewer Home system.

Of course that means other work that would need to be done like electrical and ventilation.

 

[Natdavis777]

If you are dropping that kinda $$, I would go with a single tier system, electric, and make your how stand. I know my 3 keggle system was well underneath that price range, though I built my own stand. If you do go gravity, which is completely viable, I really enjoy the work of SS brewtech

 

[Bobby_M]

If you don't already, invest in temp controlled fermentation, a stir plate setup, and then build a brew house with leftover budget.

 

[Natdavis777]

If you don't already, invest in temp controlled fermentation, a stir plate setup, and then build a brew house with leftover budget.

I'd agree with that....


You can have a bada** brew setup, but if you dont control your yeast and ferm temp, your beer will suffer, regardless of setup.

 

[jmitchell3]

+1 for the electric 10gal blichmann breweasy. or possibly the 50L 2015 Braumeister.

Disclaimer: I have the 5 gal electric breweasy and I really like it. These modified BIAB systems have limits, but not as badly as has been advertised...there are ways of making them talk...or...brew...stuff....and things...

 

[Bobby_M]

I never really got the point of the breweasy. It's a Brutus20 design basically that splits the function of a single vessel eBIAB into two vessels that need to be cleaned separately.

 

[jmitchell3]

I never really got the point of the breweasy. It's a Brutus20 design basically that splits the function of a single vessel eBIAB into two vessels that need to be cleaned separately.

Hey bobby! Ill try to respond constructively:

1) Not familiar with brutus, probably havnt been brewing long enough. Was it just a design or a production homebrew system?
2) apartment dweller, needed something compact and didnt feel like i was in a DIY mood.
3) possibly better efficiency than standard ebiab? (I routinely get 75-82% mash efficiency)
4) blichmann (with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails) including shiny pieces of expensive kit. Probably better resale value as a system when im ready to upgrade than other alternatives.

The electric 10 gal kettle was a gift, so i figured i needed the TOP to run it, and a pump....and a chiller (my immersion chiller didnt sit well with the electric element, pretty sure not many immersion chillers sit well in any electric kettle...), by that point i was basically 1 kettle short of a system...so yeah, there we are. Are there better values out there? Probably. Are there things about it id change? Yep. But overall it suits me at the present time and works well. Ive had fantastic support from wes at greatfermentations who has the sane system there that he brews on for their shop. Blichmann was great getting me a replacement sensor via fedex overnight when mine was doa. Its been a reasonably enjoyable piece of equipment to run, and a pleasant purchase experience.

Dont think id ever ever go for a morebeer three vessel or electricbrewery style system even if i had the space and dollars.....Just crazy $$ and an epic footprint. But hey, there are guys that dig it. So it works.

Everyone has different needs and wants, different ways of perceiving value, etc. i look at caddy escalades and go, "i dont get the point...its basically a loaded suburban that costs 10k+ more than the same thing in loaded suburban form..." But thats me.

 

[augiedoggy]

Dont think id ever ever go for a morebeer three vessel or electricbrewery style system even if i had the space and dollars.....Just crazy $$ and an epic footprint. But hey, there are guys that dig it. So it works.

I respect your opinion stated above but you got this statement a bit wrong...
You can build a kal clone for under $1500 dollars for everything if you just source and build yourself....

I built my 3 15.5g stainless vessel = rims electric setup with pumps and control panel for about that... and another grand for the 3 stainless conicals with individual temperature control for them all.. sure my setup could use some cleanup for presentation value but it works damn well and Ive brewed about 65 times with it , all the while making fun little improvements making it a hobby of its own..

 

[dmcman73]

Dont think id ever ever go for a morebeer three vessel or electricbrewery style system even if i had the space and dollars.....Just crazy $$ and an epic footprint. But hey, there are guys that dig it. So it works.

Epic footprint for a 3 vessel system you say? My entire setup takes up 43" of space in my basement and that's with two 20 Gallon kettles and a 15 gal MT. The control panel is on a TV mount that I can swing in when I'm not brewing. I would hardly say that is an epic foot print.

This wasn't all that crazy money, I built everything myself, including the custom Mash Tun and saved a lot of money. The only things I had made by an outside company were the kettles, I had Spike Brewing custom weld them for me (Sorry Spike, the labels came off the kettles, they were all nicked up).

 

[30Bones]

I never really got the point of the breweasy. It's a Brutus20 design basically that splits the function of a single vessel eBIAB into two vessels that need to be cleaned separately.

I agree, I would go with a turn key BIAB setup over a 3 tier system any day of the week. I have no desire for another single tier 3V system either and I have the space, but I prefer simple anymore and BIAB is all that and them some. Electric of course.

 

[jmitchell3]

I respect your opinion stated above but you got this statement a bit wrong...

You can build a kal clone for under $1500 dollars for everything if you just source and build yourself....



I built my 3 15.5g stainless vessel = rims electric setup with pumps and control panel for about that... and another grand for the 3 stainless conicals with individual temperature control for them all.. sure my setup could use some cleanup for presentation value but it works damn well and Ive brewed about 65 times with it , all the while making fun little improvements making it a hobby of its own..

Glad your happy with it, sure it works great!

I did consider the DIY and for numerous reasons (tools, cost, time) decided to guy the way i went hence in post "not in a DIY mood"

However, i am very interested to hear how you were able to do 3 stainless conicals with individual temp control for $1000....

 

[jmitchell3]

Epic footprint for a 3 vessel system you say? My entire setup takes up 43" of space in my basement and that's with two 20 Gallon kettles and a 15 gal MT. The control panel is on a TV mount that I can swing in when I'm not brewing. I would hardly say that is an epic foot print.

This wasn't all that crazy money, I built everything myself, including the custom Mash Tun and saved a lot of money. The only things I had made by an outside company were the kettles, I had Spike Brewing custom weld them for me (Sorry Spike, the labels came off the kettles, they were all nicked up).

Looks swank. I keep my system in a closet when im not brewing...apartment life is fun like that.