Nano - build out!

[mikefromcu]

I'm getting about ready to weld this up, so I thought I'd check through here for commentary and have another set or a hundred sets of eyes to look it over first.

This is for my new licensed nano-brewery in San Diego, Hess Brewing. For those interested in going pro, we've put a lot up on our blog at blogspot.hessbrewing.com.

This is a system designed like a MoreBeer 2100 but with 65 gallon kettles so I can net out 51 gallons per batch - two standard 1/2 bbls and 4 sixtels per batch, and with an extra kettle - whirlpool - so I can get two batches out just a couple hours after the first.

This is the schematic showing the top down and front view. The piping is not quite done, but the 2x2 is all in place.
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/341/brewerystand.png

And this is detail of the tippy dump bracket and journal (and casters).
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8969/tippybigger.png

In this photo, I put a white translucent box over the top of the tippy junction - that will be milled out and the half round welded in place.

Thanks!

 

[DrawTap88]

Looks good. Can't wait to see the finished product on the blog. (I'm sure more experienced brewers will chime in with something more substantial for you).

 

[RegionalChaos]

Good on! I like hearing about the tankless water heater you are using. I think that makes a lot of sense.

 

[Ranger9913]

http://hessbrewing.blogspot.com/ is the actual link

 

[Sawdustguy]

I'm getting about ready to weld this up, so I thought I'd check through here for commentary and have another set or a hundred sets of eyes to look it over first.

This is for my new licensed nano-brewery in San Diego, Hess Brewing. For those interested in going pro, we've put a lot up on our blog at blogspot.hessbrewing.com.

This is a system designed like a MoreBeer 2100 but with 65 gallon kettles so I can net out 51 gallons per batch - two standard 1/2 bbls and 4 sixtels per batch, and with an extra kettle - whirlpool - so I can get two batches out just a couple hours after the first.

This is the schematic showing the top down and front view. The piping is not quite done, but the 2x2 is all in place.
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/341/brewerystand.png

And this is detail of the tippy dump bracket and journal (and casters).
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8969/tippybigger.png

In this photo, I put a white translucent box over the top of the tippy junction - that will be milled out and the half round welded in place.

Thanks!

Just from my own curiousity, what type of burner are you using to heat 50 gallons of wort to boiling and how long does it take? What type of hot water heater are you using for strike and sparge water? I looked at you drawings and mechanically, your brew stand should be fine.

 

[RegionalChaos]

Sawdustguy,

From the website: http://hessbrewing.com/brewery.html

He says:

"Hot water (liquor-tank) and initial strike water (for the mash) is courtesy of our cart-mounted Noritz tankless water heater, that can provide 7 gallons per minute of up to 180 degree water instantly."

 

[mikefromcu]

Hey all,

First, thanks for the corrected link - I should get my sh*t together!

Let's see, for brew water into the MT and HLT, I fill straight off my Noritz 6.9gpm tankless heater, with a GE water filter inline before the heater.

From this tankless I can dough in within minutes - the Noritz has a digital keypad for temp control in 5* increments up to 176*.

FWIW, Green Flash brewing here in SD uses three of these same brand units, albeit larger ones, for their brew water.

The burner I'm using is "the monster" in fact it just got delivered today. I bought it from www.tejassmokers.com, scroll down on this page: http://www.tejassmokers.com/castironburners.htm till you see this, "Maximum Heat MONSTER Cast Iron Burner". That's my huckleberry.

I'm going to form the heat shield around the bottom drain on the boil kettle (which is indicated by the two concentric circles in the diagram on the edge of the BK). The heat shield will form a box around the MAX burner and the 3/4" bar stock will get the boil kettle up to allow waste gasses to easily vent out from under the pot.

Thanks for the input! Any more?

 

[spiny_norman]

Probably rude of me for asking, but it would be interesting to know what sort of investment was required to get up and running. Any nasty surprises?

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Great stuff!!!!

 

[Edcculus]

Nice. I need to start following all of these startup threads...one day

 

[mikefromcu]

~ three thousand for the brewery build out, couple thousand for kegs, paid little over 4 grand for our cold room, plus some more for getting it hooked up, pay a buck a foot for warehouse space. Grand for a bond. Soon the "miscellaneous" column I'm sure will be quite large!

Surprises? Well, I don't know if it's a surprise, but the sink requirement at the DEH has been surprising.

So far, it's been fun. We haven't sold anything yet though...'course it's just been a week or so since licensing.

 

[schristian619]

Very nice. I came across your blog not too long ago and have been following. I'd also be interested in start-up investment related issues/questions like Spiny, as I plan to get something started in a few (hopefully less than 5) years. Start up costs being my biggest hurdle. Maybe we can stop by for a beer and chat one of these days when you're not too busy (chuckles).

 

[RegionalChaos]

Man, start up costs are always the hurdle. Takes money to make money I guess. I have about a half dozen business ideas kicking around (brewery being one) that could all be ran from a large warehouse. If only I owned a large warehouse!

 

[DrawTap88]

The burner I'm using is "the monster" in fact it just got delivered today. I bought it from www.tejassmokers.com, scroll down on this page: http://www.tejassmokers.com/castironburners.htm till you see this, "Maximum Heat MONSTER Cast Iron Burner". That's my huckleberry.

Are you using propane or natural gas to run that bad boy?

 

[mikefromcu]

That's propane. I spoke at length with the owners who heard my concern about just crapping gas all over the place and he told me it was very efficient. We shall see!

 

[ThePig]

I dig it! ................

 

[schristian619]

Thanks for the info! When are you opening to the public for tastings?

 

[Cliff897]

if you haven't cut the metal yet give a shop vacuum a think or two.
Suck the spent grain out like who dun it.

 

[Dr_Gordon_Freeman]

After reading your blog I have come to the conclusion that government control over opening a business in this industry is FREAKING RIDICULOUS! Tyrannical would be a good descriptor.

I guess not a big surprise from the same people that brought you the fining of children for operating lemonade stands.

 

[John Beere]

Interesting thread.. while I'm not going pro (yet), my new brewery will be very similar in size to yours.. I plan on ~47 gallon batches to fill 3 sankeys. What are you using to ferment? I haven't seen many options this size except to split the batches..

I am using natural gas and found this 14" burner for my boil kettle: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t..._shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2RD94HAYE44NQ&v=glance

They also make a propane version if the burner you bought doesn't work out..

 

[Jumbo82]

Interesting thread.. while I'm not going pro (yet), my new brewery will be very similar in size to yours.. I plan on ~47 gallon batches to fill 3 sankeys. What are you using to ferment? I haven't seen many options this size except to split the batches.

I make 40 gallon batches and put the majority into one of these http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_53_146&products_id=11163 . Its not cheap, but if you're brewing on this scale on a regular basis it is well worth it. I'll usually put about 35 gallons in mine and put the remainder into a carboy with a different yeast for experimentation purposes. I bought mine on the 50 State Sale that Austinhomebrew had recently and I saved over $120.

Another option is to use a 55 gallon food grade Brute trash barrel. This would handle your 47 gallon batches, just don't leave your beer in it for more than a couple weeks because since its plastic it is oxygen permeable.

I think I have pictures of both at our thread https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/squam-lakes-brewery-pictures-144764/

 

[RegionalChaos]

I haven't tried them, but at the cost, I'd be tempted to go this route for fermenting ~47 gallon batches..

http://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=TN2442IN

 

[brewpal]

(not intending to hijack this thread....but might be relevant to some who are reading it)

For those of you in the 45-50 gal batch club, I will give a shout-out to a local (Willamette Valley) welder who specializes in sanitary welding on brewing and food service tanks who made this custom bad boy for me. 85 gal (plenty of head space), tri-clover outlet, open top with ss lid. The bottom is flat (a lot cheaper than a conical bottom). After draining finished brew into sanke or corny kegs, the remaining 2-3 gal are agitated to re-suspend the yeast slurry which is collected for re-use.

He does custom jobs up to macro brewery sized tanks. I have seen his stellar work for a local micro.

PM if you need contact details.

 

[GreenMonti]

(not intending to hijack this thread....but might be relevant to some who are reading it)

For those of you in the 45-50 gal batch club, I will give a shout-out to a local (Willamette Valley) welder who specializes in sanitary welding on brewing and food service tanks who made this custom bad boy for me.

He does custom jobs up to macro brewery sized tanks. I have seen his stellar work for a local micro.

PM if you need contact details.

How about an inside shot?

He is better then most I have seen.

 

[trailblazer]

what does the side weld on that monster look like? if their is one.

 

[GreenMonti]

what does the side weld on that monster look like? if their is one.

Side weld? The seam weld? Is that what you mean?

 

[mikefromcu]

I'm going with two of these:
http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=2803

and one of these:
http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=3152

The plan is to double batch brew, putting one each into the 60's, then after fermentation is complete, pump them both over into the 110, which will be in the cold room, to 'brite' the beer, and keg from there after 3-5 days.

 

[John Beere]

Ah, I see.. good idea. 'BrewPal', those are definitely awesome as well.. might have to contact you about that.

Mike, what are you using for kegging equipment? To wash and fill sankes.. Sabco makes a sanke keg with a 4" port on top to clean and fill, but they are $370 each.

Also, what are you using for CO2? I'm really curious if my best option would be to get one of those large CO2 cylinders you see at fast food joints..

 

[DrawTap88]

I'm going with two of these:
http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=2803

and one of these:
http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=3152

The plan is to double batch brew, putting one each into the 60's, then after fermentation is complete, pump them both over into the 110, which will be in the cold room, to 'brite' the beer, and keg from there after 3-5 days.

Those are very affordable alternatives to the SS fermenters we usually see. I noticed that the website said the tops are not vented. Do you plan on modifying them at all to vent them or for blow off?

 

[cutter22]

I'm getting about ready to weld this up, so I thought I'd check through here for commentary and have another set or a hundred sets of eyes to look it over first.

This is for my new licensed nano-brewery in San Diego, Hess Brewing. For those interested in going pro, we've put a lot up on our blog at blogspot.hessbrewing.com.

This is a system designed like a MoreBeer 2100 but with 65 gallon kettles so I can net out 51 gallons per batch - two standard 1/2 bbls and 4 sixtels per batch, and with an extra kettle - whirlpool - so I can get two batches out just a couple hours after the first.

This is the schematic showing the top down and front view. The piping is not quite done, but the 2x2 is all in place.
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/341/brewerystand.png

And this is detail of the tippy dump bracket and journal (and casters).
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8969/tippybigger.png

In this photo, I put a white translucent box over the top of the tippy junction - that will be milled out and the half round welded in place.

Thanks!

Just curious, what 65 gallon kettles are you using? I was looking for a larger kettle and havent come across anything bigger than the blichmann. Thanks and good luck, looks awesome!