More to it than I thought.

[divrguy]

And as long as it's covered

 

[Altrez]

Update:

I am planing to go off grid with my beer brewing. The first step is getting the Fermenting chambers running on battery power. I will be posting some pics soon showing the setup.

I like the idea of alternative energy powering my setup and Solar seems the most cost efficient way to go.

-Altrez

 

[Jwin]

Why do I keep coming back here? Hahaha. Man, I just, wow Altrez. More power to ya. But I'm pretty sure you would be counteracting it with that water distiller you have to run for 3 weeks to do a full 5g AG batch. Yous probably be doing the world and yourself a better service spending that $ insulating your house better, led bulbs, insulated power socket covers etc. Mini fridges consume less power than hair dryers.

 

[MaryB]

Do you know how much battery it takes to run a fridge? I have a 1,100 pound battery bank...

Update:

I am planing to go off grid with my beer brewing. The first step is getting the Fermenting chambers running on battery power. I will be posting some pics soon showing the setup.

I like the idea of alternative energy powering my setup and Solar seems the most cost efficient way to go.

-Altrez

 

[Altrez]

Do you know how much battery it takes to run a fridge? I have a 1,100 pound battery bank...

The fridge only runs long enough to keep the temps in range for fermenting. I ordered a KillAwatt to see how much it draws while running.

-Altrez

 

[PADave]

Update:

I am planing to go off grid with my beer brewing. The first step is getting the Fermenting chambers running on battery power. I will be posting some pics soon showing the setup.

I like the idea of alternative energy powering my setup and Solar seems the most cost efficient way to go.

-Altrez

Why? That's just a whole new set of things to worry about while trying to learn how to brew.

 

[Limbrizik]

Is this whole thread a troll?

 

[worlddivides]

I've gone back and forth about whether this is a troll or not, but I'm really leaning towards it being a troll right now. It's just way too insane. The idea of spending $20,000 (or whatever) to brew Mr. Beer... Although I can't say it's impossible that there's someone out there who would do something that crazy, stuff like that water distiller that takes weeks and weeks to distill enough water for a full batch (when you actually want minerals in your water for brewing, something distilled water lacks) and the idea of buying a water test kit when you haven't even finished your first beer...

If Mr. Altrez isn't a troll, then he's a shopaholic/credit card addict...

 

[PADave]

If Mr. Altrez isn't a troll, then he's a shopaholic/credit card addict...

That's what I'm thinking, a thrill of the hunt type.

 

[Altrez]

I am no troll!!! I mean what I say and back everything up!!! I can use 90% of everything I buy on other projects if I need too.

Trust me guys / gals. I am in this for the long haul and I always back everything I do up with proof.

I guess you think the new generator I bought from lowes for back up power is over the top for beer brewing!

-Altrez

 

[Altrez]

I've gone back and forth about whether this is a troll or not, but I'm really leaning towards it being a troll right now. It's just way too insane. The idea of spending $20,000 (or whatever) to brew Mr. Beer... Although I can't say it's impossible that there's someone out there who would do something that crazy, stuff like that water distiller that takes weeks and weeks to distill enough water for a full batch (when you actually want minerals in your water for brewing, something distilled water lacks) and the idea of buying a water test kit when you haven't even finished your first beer...

If Mr. Altrez isn't a troll, then he's a shopaholic/credit card addict...

First beer is finished. I don't think its possible for me to max out my credit cards. And I am not a shopaholic! Perhaps an alcoholic but that's different. It takes me 1 day to make water for my brews and I am going to start adding minerals using Brwnwater when I get to all grain.



-Altrez

 

[Murphys_Law]

I read this thread every day and then genuflect to Al Gore for the blessing which is the internet!

 

[TasunkaWitko]

Troll or not, the entertainment value makes this thread worth reading - kind of like one of those old radio serials where you tune in each Saturday afternoon.

Either way, I say go for it, Altrez. If you're legit, then you're having the time of your life, and making it interesting at the same time. If you're a troll, then you're having the time of your life, and making it interesting at the same time. It's a win/win, either way ~

 

[kh54s10]

I would guess that it is at least $2000 per bottle so far. And with what has been spent it will be a decade or more until a beer can be made for less that what would be paid at a bar.

I buy very little equipment now and can say that I spend less (all equipment and ingredients etc totaled) than $2 per bottle averaged for the five years that I have been brewing. The more I brew without buying new equipment brings the cost per bottle down even more.

 

[Murphys_Law]

I would guess that it is at least $2000 per bottle so far. And with what has been spent it will be a decade or more until a beer can be made for less that what would be paid at a bar.

I buy very little equipment now and can say that I spend less (all equipment and ingredients etc totaled) than $2 per bottle averaged for the five years that I have been brewing. The more I brew without buying new equipment brings the cost per bottle down even more.

I can honestly say that I couldn't tell you what my cost "per" is right now. Its really kinda moot as far as I'm concerned (which is a little ironic because I took my wife to the brew store today to pick up some ingredients and got $30 in honey alone so she's asking if all my beers are this expensive!).

I'm also mapping out an "electric strategy", which I don't need but I want which will drive up my cost "per" even further. Some brewers like to play with toys and gadgets. Different strokes, right?

 

[Altrez]

I read this thread every day and then genuflect to Al Gore for the blessing which is the internet!

Blaspheme! Al Gore had nothing to do with the internet! It was the people under him and the hard workers at CERN that did all the work!

-Altrez

 

[Altrez]

I would guess that it is at least $2000 per bottle so far. And with what has been spent it will be a decade or more until a beer can be made for less that what would be paid at a bar.

I buy very little equipment now and can say that I spend less (all equipment and ingredients etc totaled) than $2 per bottle averaged for the five years that I have been brewing. The more I brew without buying new equipment brings the cost per bottle down even more.

lol. Please it's only like $200 per bottle so far!

-Altrez

 

[worlddivides]

First beer is finished. I don't think its possible for me to max out my credit cards. And I am not a shopaholic! Perhaps an alcoholic but that's different. It takes me 1 day to make water for my brews and I am going to start adding minerals using Brwnwater when I get to all grain.



-Altrez

Because your combined credit card limit is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars? :fro:

I don't know if you're a troll or a shopaholic, but I will say that I've gotten quite a bit of entertainment out of this thread. It is quite entertaining from just how crazy you are (no offense).

 

[JordanKnudson]

Holy smokes, I just read every word of these last 53 pages in one sitting. I can't get enough. This is SO much fun!

I am inclined to believe you, Altrez, that you are indeed genuine in all of this. I know that if I had the means, I would go crazy with the equipment purchases, regardless of "needing it" to make good beer. I absolutely do not have money to spend on more brewing equipment beyond my current AG setup, but that sure doesn't stop me from spending plenty of time on internet retailers' sites drooling over glycol jacketed conicals, yeast lab equipment, and tons of other utterly unnecessary equipment (on which I'd 100% click "add to cart" if I were able). So good on you, I wish I were in your shoes!

I'm going to offer a piece of advice that for some reason has not been put forth in this thread (I don't think), but that you should take heed of given your current situation. Make your extract beers using unadjusted distilled water. This is advice straight from the mouth of some of the major homebrew experts (John Palmer comes to mind, among others). The reason is that the extract already contains whatever mineral profile was used in its creation, and you are essentially just reconstituting it. Since you have no way of knowing what this water profile is, you're just stabbing in the dark by adding your own mineral additions on top of it. You may get lucky, or you may create a beer that tastes like alka-seltzer. Building your water profile with mineral additions is an awesomely useful practice when brewing from grain, but is basically pointless in an extract brew. Think of it like having a clutch installed in your automatic transmission minivan. Sure, you have put in a clutch, but this is the wrong context for it and it is at best redundant. Master other areas of your process now while you are in the extract phase, and save water for when it is actually relevant.

Looking forward to hearing more as your beers become ready to drink!

 

[JordanKnudson]

By the way, I see you're in Owensboro. I grew up in Evansville, IN, and if I still lived in the area I'd be hounding you to come check out all your fun brewing toys!

 

[kombat]

Going off-grid is a fantastic idea, Altrez. Get some solar cells, maybe a windmill for cloudy days, plus your backup generator and maybe an exercise bike with a dynamo for those emergency situations. You're going to need some deep-cycle batteries.

Of course, if you're really trying to be green, the next logical step is water recovery. You've already got the distiller or whatever it was you bought to purify your water. Now you just have to hook a toilet up to the input reservoir. Then NOTHING will go to waste! Circle of life!

 

[Altrez]

Going off-grid is a fantastic idea, Altrez. Get some solar cells, maybe a windmill for cloudy days, plus your backup generator and maybe an exercise bike with a dynamo for those emergency situations. You're going to need some deep-cycle batteries.

Of course, if you're really trying to be green, the next logical step is water recovery. You've already got the distiller or whatever it was you bought to purify your water. Now you just have to hook a toilet up to the input reservoir. Then NOTHING will go to waste! Circle of life!

That sounds like a pretty good idea! I wonder if rain water would be ok once distilled? The bathroom waste water could be used to water plants in the back yard. And i could get a compost toilet system.



-Altrez

 

[Altrez]

By the way, I see you're in Owensboro. I grew up in Evansville, IN, and if I still lived in the area I'd be hounding you to come check out all your fun brewing toys!

I like Evansville pretty cool place. They have a few breweries over there and a home-brew store. We go to the mall at least once a month.

-Altrez

 

[kh54s10]

I just wish I had the money that has already been spent on things that will never be "needed". (yes it can be re-purposed...)

Think of all the ingredients could have been bought for actually brewing beer.

Or just spending it on other things......

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Going off-grid is a fantastic idea, Altrez. Get some solar cells, maybe a windmill for cloudy days, plus your backup generator and maybe an exercise bike with a dynamo for those emergency situations. You're going to need some deep-cycle batteries.

Of course, if you're really trying to be green, the next logical step is water recovery. You've already got the distiller or whatever it was you bought to purify your water. Now you just have to hook a toilet up to the input reservoir. Then NOTHING will go to waste! Circle of life!

Sometimes I wonder who is getting the most entertainment from this way too long thread.

 

[kh54s10]

Sometimes I wonder who is getting the most entertainment from this way too long thread.

This thread has been too good to let it die.

 

[Murphys_Law]

That sounds like a pretty good idea! I wonder if rain water would be ok once distilled? The bathroom waste water could be used to water plants in the back yard. And i could get a compost toilet system.







-Altrez

Burn the compost to roast your own grains.

 

[kh54s10]

Burn the compost to roast your own grains.

S#*t Smoked Malt!!! I like it!!!!

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

This thread has been too good to let it die.

For me it is a little like a train wreck when I see it to the right I want to look, and not look, then I look anyway.

 

[Altrez]

I got my new LED Neon light board in for listing the brews I have in the fermentor and on tap. I will post some pics of it tonight. It is pretty cool.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008O1BT8Y/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

-Altrez