Hosehead brewery controller

[Kealia]

I'm just trying to figure out what all the hoses do, where they go, etc.

[RayF]

Thanks, Black Duck.

In that photo, the hoses are configured for sparging.

[Jon]

Looking good, Ray!

How long until it's fully operational?

[RayF]

It is now! I'm ready to rock!

[Whamolagan]

So this weekend?

[RayF]

So this weekend?

I'm heading to camp this weekend. I did pick up grain and yeast in case I get anxious and brew Monday when I get home. I decided to do kennys fat liar since the last time I brewed it, my pinlock connector leaked and I lost the whole batch after only drinking 2 .

[Inkleg]

Great looking set up Ray!

[RayF]

Great looking set up Ray!

Thank you.

[RayF]

Sunday is the day! I'm excited to use this thing finally. I think I have everything dialed in well. I'm not sure what kind of efficiency numbers to use so I may have a stronger beer than I want but I can deal with that! Beer!

[Whamolagan]

You go Ray

[Jon]

C'mon man, report back on its maiden voyage!

[ScrewyBrewer]

What should I brew? I'm thinking Fat Liar or maybe a cream ale. Something refreshing and lighter for mid summer drinking. Any suggestions?

@RayF sweet setup it looks awesome and you took a great picture of it too. Once you go electric you will never regret it, or go back to using gas. This is especially true when you are brewing in a basement as was the case for me. I'd like to hear about your first time brewing on that baby too.

[RayF]

What should I brew? I'm thinking Fat Liar or maybe a cream ale. Something refreshing and lighter for mid summer drinking. Any suggestions?

@RayF sweet setup it looks awesome and you took a great picture of it too. Once you go electric you will never regret it, or go back to using gas. This is especially true when you are brewing in a basement as was the case for me. I'd like to hear about your first time brewing on that baby too.

I had a pretty decent brew day. I hit my temps and held them perfectly for the mash. I had a little trouble dialing in the pump speeds during the sparge but I figured it out and should be able to get it right next time. The boil went perfect, although I'd like to add a hop basket to the boil kettle for future batches. I wasn't very happy with chilling. I used a 25' immersion chiller and whirlpooled. It took way too long. I'm thinking I want to get a counter flow chiller in the future. My target pre-boil was suppose to be 1.037, I came in at 1.034. That bummed me a bit. My target OG was suppose to be 1.048, I came in at 1.047. So 1 point off isn't bad for the first brew. I can deal with that.

[RayF]

Well, I have said I have been completely done with this thing many times now. This time I'm certain that I'm completely finished. I added some manifolds to my pumps so I can change liquor and wort flow without disconnecting and switching hoses around. Switching those hoses made a mess and I was losing wort. I can now circulate my HLT while sparging with the same pump with the use of some tees and valves. Before this , my HLT water was fluctuating during the sparge because of lack of circulation. I got it all figured out now! I also added the counter flow chiller which works great. I'm going to miss building this thing.

[Beer-lord]

Great work. And if I can help you not miss it, build me one!
Enjoy the work.