Multiple Concurrent Small Batch Brewing

[Bobby_M]

I think you just did. It's time to start gathering ideas on how to flex the capabilities. I think I want to compile a list of experiments that everyone can add to and upvote. As the person who has to execute them, I will likely choose one's I find compelling, I bet there are ideas out there that I would haver never thought of. Does anyone know of a platform that already handles this functionality? I thought maybe a reddit thread but not sure. Google forms?

 

[day_trippr]

Impressive. And blingy!
How many amps does the input to that array have to support?

Cheers!

 

[IslandLizard]

I wish I could thumbs up multiple times.

 

[IslandLizard]

Impressive. And blingy!
How many amps does the input to that array have to support?

Cheers!

That information is in post #33.
The control box itself is excellent testimony to the thoughts that went into @Bobby_M's Micro Brew Matrix project.

 

[IslandLizard]

Does anyone know of a platform that already handles this functionality? I thought maybe a reddit thread but not sure. Google forms?

There's a Poll capability on these forums. They appear on top of the thread pages. You've probably seen them.
But it may not have the versatility or form that you'd want or need.

Google forms offers many options, and will tally for you.

 

[Bobby_M]

 

[sdbbp]

Since this is 4X, I'm hoping to see a "process control" inclusion at some point: instead of brewing four different ingredient sets, brew three or two with one or two identical recipes in two vessels.

 

[Bobby_M]

Since this is 4X, I'm hoping to see a "process control" inclusion at some point: instead of brewing four different ingredient sets, brew three or two with one or two identical recipes in two vessels.

Good feedback, thanks.

 

[kevin58]

I recently watched a Brulosophy video comparing aeration methods but each side by side test was made by individual brewers all brewing different recipes of differing gravities. Your system would be perfect for testing these methods on the same style brewed identically. The methods tested were 1. No aeration... 2. Shaking... 3. Oxygen wand... 4. Olive oil. They also did a split batch where both samples were blasted by O2 at yeast pitch but one of them received a second blast of O2 24 hours into fermentation. This one could be substituted for the olive oil method.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I recently watched a Brulosophy video

Yeah, as somebody that likes to brew trial batches, one of the limitations with the Brulosophy approach is that they are always testing 1 variable with just 2 versions. I do often find that experiments would benefit from multiple versions. Like say a control batch, a batch with Irish Moss, and a batch with a Whirlfoc tablet. Or instead of mashing one batch at 148F and one at 160F, maybe it would be more useful to side by side compare 148F vs 151F vs 154F vs 157F.

A benefit of the Brulosophy two version approach is that it makes gathering data using a triangle test possible. It gets harder to quantify the feedback across multiple samples.

But like most of us, I don't even have the ability to brew two side-by-side batches like the Brulosophy contributors do (and I cannot even temperature control two 5-gallon batches). It is cool that @Bobby_M will be able to branch out to 4 side-by-side brews.

 

[Bobby_M]

I spent a few months just staring at this brewing system knowing that the first brew day wasn't going to be a walk in the park. I solicited help from my friend Larry to help keep track of everything. I plan to put a short video together but the basic idea was to mash/boil a German Pilsner recipe that has an NHC Silver pedigree but using four different base malts. 3 step mash, 75 minute boil. 8 hours. Ouch.

Weyermann, Avangard, Bestmalz, Rahr Northstar (this one is disqualified due to my error).

 

[mashdar]

8 hours is 2 hours per batch! In that light it's pretty good. especially if that improves with experience.

Is that final pic pre-spunding valve?

Will you serve from those kegs, or do closed transfers to 1gal, or ?

 

[Bobby_M]

8 hours is 2 hours per batch! In that light it's pretty good. especially if that improves with experience.

Is that final pic pre-spunding valve?

Will you serve from those kegs, or do closed transfers to 1gal, or ?

That's pre-blowoff. I have a pitcher of starsan on the back shelf and I routed gas QDs with hoses into that. I would normally spund at some point this weekend but I'm going to be away from the shop until Sunday. I will be transferring to the 1 gallon Oxebar kegs for serving. I flirted with the idea of bottle conditioning also.

 

[Bobby_M]

Plans for the next couple splits.

1. Mash fines (MF) in or out of boil and hot/cold break kettle trub in or out of fermenter (KT). Cream Ale or Kolsch
A. MF+, KT+.
B. MF-, KT-.
C. MF+, KT-.
D. MF-, KT+.

2. Specialty malt sampler. Each batch with 90% 2 Row and:
A. Crystal 20L
B. Victory
C. Honey Malt
D. Melanoidin

3. Hop sampler, split to small kettles after a community mash in the big kettle.
Hops TBD.