Nano Brewery Build

[Cuzco_Brew]

Things are moving ahead, I went and saw the fabricator today. Lots of stainless steel to drool over. One thing came up, he has recomended 316 over 304. Now I know 316 is better but it's also more expensive, is it worth it? Is beer that corrosive that it would need 316?

 

[Cuzco_Brew]

Update. The quote from the fabricator is in, and it's reasonable. Still a lot of details to iron out. And while that's being done I figured I would get my home brew rig upgraded to 10G. So I got the fabricator to knock up a 15G brew kettle for me and add a 6" ferrule complete with fittings to the top of a 50L keg I picked up.

Photos here

While I am happy with the work on the brew kettle, I am a little dubious about the quality of his "sanitary" welds, particularly on the cap for the 6" ferrule. A few small scratches and pits that would be a problem if were to be in contact with wort. As it's the cap on the ferrule it shouldn't come into contact with any wort so not a problem, but it's given me doubts over his ability to fabricate a conical fermenter.

Sorry no pics of the pits and scratches at the moment as it's in use, but I'll snap a few pics next week and show you what I mean.

Cheers
Zac

 

[rdy80]

In case you don't already know there are several options in Peru for brewing equipment and ingredients. I was down there last fall and spoke with a few businesses since I'm trying to do something similar in Guatemala and was wondering if I could find some stuff cheaper in South America to send to Guatemala instead of from the US. Anyway below are two links. I'm sure being married to a Peruvian that your Spanish is good, but beware of these businesses. The artecerveza place is run by a Chilean guy and I believe he just imports his equipment from China and slaps a sticker on it. The other one is located in Callao (near the airport-be careful not to get robbed...) and this guy makes the equipment there, but through another business in Argentina I heard that he has a bad reputation. Apparently received money from a Mexican brewery and never delivered product, also wrapped copper tubing around large fermenters with insulating foam to cool them.. So beware, but they could be options for some equipment and ingredients. Neither one seemed to be that knowledgeable about the actual brewing process and seemed to prefer 2 vessel brewhouses. Also Argentina has plenty of options and I hear Chile does as well and from what I hear the shipping isn't that ridiculous even though they are quite distant. Also speak with the Adventure Brew Hostel in La Paz, there is a Texan there named Jack Sparks at the moment who might be able to give some advice where to find stuff.
Well Good luck and keep us updated.

http://artecerveza.com/micro-cerveceria.html
http://www.beertec.galeon.com/
http://www.cervecerosartesanales.com/

 

[Jmurm]

Hey zac
My Family is planning a trip to your neck of the woods, and i was wondering where you would recommend to go check out? I haven't looked into it very much but was wondering what your recommendation would be? spend more time around Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and Cusco than Lima?

 

[Cuzco_Brew]

Yeah, I'd say skip Lima. I don't mind it that much, but it's just a big city and not a lot to see. Depending on how long you have and what you are interested in seeing, I would suggest basing yourself in Cusco. You can see a lot from there, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley. Overnight trips up to Lake Titicaca or head out to the Amazon for a few days.