40 replies to this topic

[HVB]

That sounds like a good idea at this point.

[SchwanzBrewer]

This is the problem with brewing at my FIL's. I can't set things up exactly how I want them because I have to deal with the MIL and we have so much crap that there just isn't enough space. It's aggravating. I can't wait to move all that shit off the porch and have a dedicated space. 

[SchwanzBrewer]

OK, got the porch cleaned up, a bunch of equipment cleaned, I'm stepping up the good starter tomorrow, I should have plenty of yeast and a good brew day on Friday. I'm feeling better about this decision. It's all about making the best beer.

[MyaCullen]

OK, got the porch cleaned up, a bunch of equipment cleaned, I'm stepping up the good starter tomorrow, I should have plenty of yeast and a good brew day on Friday. I'm feeling better about this decision. It's all about making the best beer.

I think it's Denny that says brew when your yeast is ready!

 

don't let the beer brew you

[SchwanzBrewer]

I think it's Denny that says brew when your yeast is ready!

 

don't let the beer brew you

 

Only in soviet russia does the beer brew you!

[denny]

I think it's Denny that says brew when your yeast is ready!

 

don't let the beer brew you

 

Hey, I like that second line!

[SchwanzBrewer]

I'm making the starter for Friday's brew tonight. I'm taking the 4L starter that was good and splitting it between two 5L starters. Got the second half of the starter wort boiling now. Probably gonna be 1:30 before I hit the sack. The things we do for beer.

[MyaCullen]

I'm making the starter for Friday's brew tonight. I'm taking the 4L starter that was good and splitting it between two 5L starters. Got the second half of the starter wort boiling now. Probably gonna be 1:30 before I hit the sack. The things we do for beer.

I won't do that...

[3rd party JKor]

I always end up going to bed after 1:00 when i brew. I could start at 4pm or 9 pm, i still manage to finish aboit the same time. I don't know how it happens, but it does.

[SchwanzBrewer]

I fell asleep while it was chilling. No big deal. Woke up around 2 and finished everything off. Both starters are chugging away. Gonna defeat this cursed brew tomorrow!

[3rd party JKor]

Oh crap, this is still the same batch!  lol, I thought you were on to another batch.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Oh crap, this is still the same batch!  lol, I thought you were on to another batch.

 

lol, nope.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Getting ready to mash in. 30gal of water, 60lb of grain.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Oktoberfest is finally in the fermenter.

Chilled down to 49 degree with 80#of ice

[3rd party JKor]

Holy macaroni!  How much are you paying for your ice?

[SchwanzBrewer]

Holy macaroni!  How much are you paying for your ice?

 

I think it's $3 for the 20# bags at publix. We'll get an ice machine for the brewery for chilling the 1bbl stuff. Sometimes we go to the ice dispensers on the road side and there it's like $1.50 for 20# but the damn machines are broke half the time.

[3rd party JKor]

Wow, good deal.

 

Have you done the ROI on getting a chilling system vs. chilling with the ice?  I have to imagine it would pay for itself quickly if you'll be brewing a lot.  I don't know what you're expecting for throughput.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Depends on the size of the system. For a big system (5 bbl +) you use a cold liquor tank that's chilled with a glycol unit. For a small system like I have now it doesn't make much sense to spend thousands on a chilling system. An ice maker and a big cooler does the trick. We don't know what size our system will be yet because it partially depends on location type and funding. So buying ice every brew isn't a big deal right now.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Beer is fermenting away nicely. Time to remove the probe and raise the temp! This beer will self destruct... err be ready to drink... in 16 more days!

[SchwanzBrewer]

I gelled the beer last night. I'll keg it on Sunday before I brew the hefeweizen. That will be 19 days brew to serve. I expect it will need a little longer to condition nicely. 1/3 is destined for a couple events on the 26th.

 

Cheers!