More to it than I thought.

[Altrez]

You're going to brew 500 gallons of beer/year?!?!
:rockin:

Well yeah!! That is about half of what I drink!

:rockin:

-Altrez

 

[Altrez]

I am adding battery backup to my fermentation chamber does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!

-Altrez

 

[Altrez]

I just keep running across more and more things I need before I feel like I can get started.

Just getting all the things needed for my first brew is crazy! I am up to around $700 in supplies and have not started my first batch!



-Altrez

 

[Onkel_Udo]

I just keep running across more and more things I need before I feel like I can get started.

Just getting all the things needed for my first brew is crazy! I am up to around $700 in supplies and have not started my first batch!



-Altrez

You overthinking it. You can spend that if you want but most start just north of a $150 including the extract kit. Two buckets, airlock, racking can, pot, capper, etc.


I can build a BIAB system for about $200 for 5 gallon batches...maybe...maybe $100 more for fermentation control.

 

[Altrez]

You overthinking it. You can spend that if you want but most start just north of a $150 including the extract kit. Two buckets, airlock, racking can, pot, capper, etc.


I can build a BIAB system for about $200 for 5 gallon batches...maybe...maybe $100 more for fermentation control.

That's cheap! I just want to make sure I do everything right. I am a over thinker with OCD so that could be part of it!

-Altrez

 

[Onkel_Udo]

That's cheap! I just want to make sure I do everything right. I am a over thinker with OCD so that could be part of it!

-Altrez

What kind of stove do you have?

So no matter what, for fermentation:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...rmenting-buckets/6-5-gallon-fermenting-bucket
Ad the fermentation lock
For bottling:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...quipment/racking-canes/24-curved-racking-tube
http://www.northernbrewer.com/3-8-id-siphon-hose Probably 5'
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...fermenting-buckets/6-5-gallon-bottling-bucket
http://www.northernbrewer.com/fermenters-favorite-royal-crown-bottle-capper
http://www.northernbrewer.com/northern-brewer-oxygen-absorbing-crown-caps-120-count
Sanitizing:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/star-san
Plus a stray bottle from Walmart
Boiling:
This is where it gets more complex. For Partial boil extract go to a really low end grocery store and get the 3 gallon SS pot for like $15. For BiaB get this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VXHKMC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
And then a Wilserbrew bag.

After that, inkbird all in one temperature controller and used fridge...from Craigslist.

Edit: you need a good thermoter and hydrometer as well but though I use a $15 dial thermometer, I calibrate it each brew day against a $10 lab thermometer...most can't be bothered.

 

[freisste]

Well yeah!! That is about half of what I drink!



:rockin:



-Altrez

You average 11 pints per day? God I hope that's hyperbole. If not, your hobby should be AA meetings.

 

[Altrez]

You average 11 pints per day? God I hope that's hyperbole. If not, your hobby should be AA meetings.

That is a bit judgmental don't you think? Everyone in my family drinks like I do. I also will average a pint of Vodka a night. I am over 40 and have been drinking for about 25 years or more.

My brother drinks a fifth of bourbon a day and a six pack at lunch. Because some people cant handle there alcohol dose not mean people who do should be told to go to AA meetings. I make a nice 6 figure income go to work everyday also enjoy Bloody Mary's for breakfast.

-Altrez

 

[Altrez]

What kind of stove do you have?

So no matter what, for fermentation:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...rmenting-buckets/6-5-gallon-fermenting-bucket
Ad the fermentation lock
For bottling:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...quipment/racking-canes/24-curved-racking-tube
http://www.northernbrewer.com/3-8-id-siphon-hose Probably 5'
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...fermenting-buckets/6-5-gallon-bottling-bucket
http://www.northernbrewer.com/fermenters-favorite-royal-crown-bottle-capper
http://www.northernbrewer.com/northern-brewer-oxygen-absorbing-crown-caps-120-count
Sanitizing:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/star-san
Plus a stray bottle from Walmart
Boiling:
This is where it gets more complex. For Partial boil extract go to a really low end grocery store and get the 3 gallon SS pot for like $15. For BiaB get this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VXHKMC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
And then a Wilserbrew bag.

After that, inkbird all in one temperature controller and used fridge...from Craigslist.

Edit: you need a good thermoter and hydrometer as well but though I use a $15 dial thermometer, I calibrate it each brew day against a $10 lab thermometer...most can't be bothered.

We have just a normal run of the mill stove. I am thinking about getting a propane outdoor stove but have not decided yet.

I have a stove that runs on butane for my office I will post some pics this week.

Thank you so much for all the links its very helpful!!!!!!!



-Altrez

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

Voss water...holy cow that sounds expensive. I bought a drinking water, water hose that has a filter attached to it for like 20 bucks on amazon. I really don't get into all of the water chemistry stuff b/c everyone that drinks my beer including myself likes it so why change it...

When I first started I used the gallon refillable jugs of spring water that someone mentioned and after the first few times It was just a hassle and extra cost I personally didn't want...so I tried using the drinking hose with filter on a brew to test it...and never went back.

www.amazon.c/Camco-40043-TastePURE-...qid=1461036036&sr=8-12&keywords=drinking+hose

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ME11FS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Altrez]

Voss water...holy cow that sounds expensive. I bought a drinking water, water hose that has a filter attached to it for like 20 bucks on amazon. I really don't get into all of the water chemistry stuff b/c everyone that drinks my beer including myself likes it so why change it...

When I first started I used the gallon refillable jugs of spring water that someone mentioned and after the first few times It was just a hassle and extra cost I personally didn't want...so I tried using the drinking hose with filter on a brew to test it...and never went back.

www.amazon.c/Camco-40043-TastePURE-...qid=1461036036&sr=8-12&keywords=drinking+hose

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ME11FS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Thats a good idea. I might try that when I go big batch outdoor's this fall.

My wife is from DFW she bugs me daily about wanting to move back lol.

-Altrez

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

@Altraz I believe the legal limit for homebrew is 200 gallons per year for a household with 2 or more adults. I don't think the men in black are going to knock down your door for going a few gallons over, but it might be a mistake to publicly announce plans to "break the law".

You sound pretty excited to get going and this can be a fun hobby. Patience is a key ingredient and vital in some parts of the process. Welcome and do have fun.

 

[Scotty_g]

@Altraz I believe the legal limit for homebrew is 200 gallons per year for a household with 2 or more adults.

They've got to *catch* you over the limit. As long as you're rotating the stock like you should be, it would be really hard to have 200 gallons of homebrew on hand (good on you if you can though).

 

[k1ngl1ves]

This thread is great! I love the creativity!







My hat is off to you, Op.

 

[hockeyrounds]

@Altraz I believe the legal limit for homebrew is 200 gallons per year for a household with 2 or more adults....

I think I can help rid of the evidence.

 

[rlmiller10]

If you just need to cool a few degrees more, why not get a garden tub (one of those with rope handles from Wal Mart), partially fill with a few inches of water, put the fermenter in there and dampen a towel to wrap around it? Before I had a house with a basement I would do that with glass carboys to keep them cool. As the water evaporates it cools...

I second what Grrickar said. Instead of the towel I fill the tub higher and put in a couple of ice bottles. Change them every 12 hours or so. By having a relatively large volume it is easy to moderate temperature swings.

But a fridge and temp controller is hard to beat. I have one of those as well when my wife doesn't have food in it.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

They've got to *catch* you over the limit. As long as you're rotating the stock like you should be, it would be really hard to have 200 gallons of homebrew on hand (good on you if you can though).

Where's all the beer you've been brewing? In my belly!

 

[badmajon]

Enjoy the hobby and your delicious fresh untaxed beer.

 

[Onkel_Udo]

The more I look at your requirements, the more I think a large volume manual or slightly automated eBiaB system would be an eventual goal. If you have two 20 amp 110V circuits in the same room (your office?) you can build a 10 gallon finished-product system for about $250. My 9 gallon system was a little cheaper because I already had some of the parts.

You still have to buy all the fermentation and sanitation gear but if you really want to make 10 gallons a week, this is the least involved (money and your time) method. It is basically 20 gallon pot, two 2000W elements, outdoor switch enclosures a weldless ball valve and bag (hoist STRONGLY reccomended).

You also have to realistically have a chiller or go no chill...both have their compromises. No chill, takes a day to cool to pitching temps even in a fridge fermentation chamber. Chiller requires a water source and drain or lots of ice.

10 gallons in about 4 hours of which only maybe an hour is active work by you. Get a mill, buy bulk grains and hops, recycle yeast, etc., and you can get to a very low price per pint but when you do all those things at once you have a large up front cost. With a similar setup my low'ish alcohol (3.8-4.2%), not super hoppy house beers run about $0.38 a US pint. An SNPA clone type beer runs about $0.42 a US pint. I did the math once and I think a Zombie Dust clone would be about $0.53 each and we pay about $12 a sixer of 12 ounce bottles or about $2.70 per pint. So lets just say compare to $14/12-pack beer like SNPA you save about a $1 per pint. For 520 gallons in a year that is about $4160 in savings so even if you spend $1000 of gear, you are ahead (assume you time has no value) in the first year.

Bottling that much will be a huge pain but is doable so consider kegging in the cost comparison, too.

 

[Altrez]

The more I look at your requirements, the more I think a large volume manual or slightly automated eBiaB system would be an eventual goal. If you have two 20 amp 110V circuits in the same room (your office?) you can build a 10 gallon finished-product system for about $250. My 9 gallon system was a little cheaper because I already had some of the parts.

You still have to buy all the fermentation and sanitation gear but if you really want to make 10 gallons a week, this is the least involved (money and your time) method. It is basically 20 gallon pot, two 2000W elements, outdoor switch enclosures a weldless ball valve and bag (hoist STRONGLY reccomended).

You also have to realistically have a chiller or go no chill...both have their compromises. No chill, takes a day to cool to pitching temps even in a fridge fermentation chamber. Chiller requires a water source and drain or lots of ice.

10 gallons in about 4 hours of which only maybe an hour is active work by you. Get a mill, buy bulk grains and hops, recycle yeast, etc., and you can get to a very low price per pint but when you do all those things at once you have a large up front cost. With a similar setup my low'ish alcohol (3.8-4.2%), not super hoppy house beers run about $0.38 a US pint. An SNPA clone type beer runs about $0.42 a US pint. I did the math once and I think a Zombie Dust clone would be about $0.53 each and we pay about $12 a sixer of 12 ounce bottles or about $2.70 per pint. So lets just say compare to $14/12-pack beer like SNPA you save about a $1 per pint. For 520 gallons in a year that is about $4160 in savings so even if you spend $1000 of gear, you are ahead (assume you time has no value) in the first year.

Bottling that much will be a huge pain but is doable so consider kegging in the cost comparison, too.

This sounds really good actually. I do have 2 different 110 connections but was thinking about installing a sub panel in the upstairs closet.

I think this looks perfect http://www.brew-boss.com/

has everything ready to go tested and seems easy to use.

Thanks for the help!



-Altrez

 

[PADave]

I just keep running across more and more things I need before I feel like I can get started.

Just getting all the things needed for my first brew is crazy! I am up to around $700 in supplies and have not started my first batch!



-Altrez

What you need and what you think you need are two different things. You should try making a batch or two and see what you really need. I've got quite a few items that I thought I would need when I started, some I've never touched, and some I've used once and found a better way.

 

[Onkel_Udo]

I think this looks perfect http://www.brew-boss.com/

has everything ready to go tested and seems easy to use.

Thanks for the help!



-Altrez

Buying CotS...I am out. Half the fun of this is the build for me.

 

[Altrez]

What you need and what you think you need are two different things. You should try making a batch or two and see what you really need. I've got quite a few items that I thought I would need when I started, some I've never touched, and some I've used once and found a better way.

Hello,

I plan on brewing several different recipes. I really like the 1 gallon all grain idea. The Mr.Beer's seem like a good way to get started with extract.

Everything I have purchased so far if I find I do not like home brewing I can give away to someone who does so I am not really going to be out anything.



-Altrez

 

[Altrez]

Buying CotS...I am out. Half the fun of this is the build for me.

I do not think I have the time to build one right now. I have all the tools and engineering background but just coding the software would take a long time.

-Altrez

 

[Onkel_Udo]

I do not think I have the time to build one right now. I have all the tools and engineering background but just coding the software would take a long time.

-Altrez

Your over thinking it. Two 2000w elements. Two switches. Software coding is for wusses.

 

[Altrez]

Your over thinking it. Two 2000w elements. Two switches. Software coding is for wusses.

I could put that setup together in 5 minutes. Now coding a cross platform app that will monitor every aspect of the brew write it all to a database and have a neural network analyze it would be pretty 31337.

I dream in C#



-Altrez

 

[Onkel_Udo]

I could put that setup together in 5 minutes. Now coding a cross platform app that will monitor every aspect of the brew write it all to a database and have a neural network analyze it would be pretty 31337.

I dream in C#



-Altrez

I code SQL all day long and VBA when forces. Coding is still for wusses when brute force can be used instead. My toolbox is full of hammers...each larger than the next.

 

[Altrez]

I code SQL all day long and VBA when forces. Coding is still for wusses when brute force can be used instead. My toolbox is full of hammers...each larger than the next.

 

[molson1993]

I just started brewing as well and if I made a suggestion that I wish i'd of known first off, get a way to control your temp, I just picked up a chest freezer off OfferUp for $40 (a steal imo) for my second batch, also you could use the voss water if you'd like, but distilled water will work just as well, I believe when I sent my girlfriend to the store to buy some she came back saying it was about $5 for 5 gallons. Cheers and welcome to a wonderful obsession...I mean hobby..

 

[PADave]

Hello,

I plan on brewing several different recipes. I really like the 1 gallon all grain idea. The Mr.Beer's seem like a good way to get started with extract.



-Altrez

I thought the same way, till I realized all the work that goes into even 1 gallon batches. 5 weeks later and all you got is 8 or 9 bottles of beer and you'll be going bigger.