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Re: Beer altar

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 9:32 am
by MadBrewer
I'll have to take a look at morebeer to see what you ended up buying this time around.

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 9:43 am
by MadBrewer
I can understand that Whamo, trying to fit this into everyday life can't be easy. I look at these systems and one thing I would be looking for besides automation would be something like what I posted above from morebeer. It would be handy to have something to help make cleaning the mashtun and dealing with the grains easier. 5 gal batches has a lot of heavy wet grain, I can't imagine 15-20 gal batches. Having something to help ease clean up and handle that spent grain would be a bonus.

I know you have already purchased a new system, but while we are talking about the systems out there check these guys out. http://www.cobrewingsystems.com/ They have a 20 gal dual brewing system that you can brew 2 batches at the same time or combine them to make a one larger batch. That is quite creative and would be awesome to knock out 2 batches at once.

This unit is $4,600
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This single unit is $2,600. Not having to transfer the wort around would save time and hasel like the system you have purchased.
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Re: Beer altar

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 9:56 pm
by Whamolagan
Yeah Kenny I saw those when i was looking around. This is the one that will be here Wednesday: http://www.morebeer.com/products/braumeister-v2-50.html

I like the fact that the same control system is on the larger systems. So when it is time to expand, no mystery. Just expand the recipes and move on. When I get to getting a place I am gonna be swamped by all the other B.S. that will be going on. I am going to be building the bar and all of the coolers and tap system etc. Also with this small one I will be able to still do experimental batches. I saw a video with a side by side with the grainfather and was impressed with the speidel.

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 12:30 am
by mashani
I've been out of town, so missed a lot apparently. But I would like to hear what you think of that Braumeister. I've been eyeing the 20L version for a year now, just trying to find an excuse to buy it. It's close to perfect for my personal needs, space concerns, etc. If I switch back to primarily AG brewing, I need something like it, and I want a single vessel eBIAB setup if I do it, not some tower of many things.... I've only not pulled the plug due to lack of money and general happiness with what I'm making not making it worth the pain that an even greater lack of money would cause. The 1.065ish limit without adding extract is not a biggie to me. Most of my beers aren't even 1.06. The few that are higher then 1.065, are usually fed sugar in the fermenter.

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 8:55 pm
by Whamolagan
Well here it is. Image

It is really hard to fathom the fact that this produces the same volume as the brew magic. And the size of it is great. I met with the electrician today and friday he is going to try and get the wiring done. If he can get it done on friday, I will be brewing with it on sunday. I would have to say that so far the only complaint is the cord deal. It come with european cord, so I got to change the plug. Not near as bad as having to change out a gas valve. Also, I knew this going into it before I pulled the trigger on it. So I can't give any real ideas on it other than it will fit in my cabinet that I use to store all my other old kettles and such sundries. Essentially it wont have to sit outside on my patio and get dust all over it. I will have to weld up a stand for it, but no biggie. I might even have the metal laying around to do it. :hammer: :banana: :hammer: :banana: :hammer: :banana:

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 10:28 pm
by Knightmare
Whamolagan wrote:My newest acquisition:

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Damn! That's nice! I can hear the angels singing!

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2015 2:21 pm
by Whamolagan
Alright, so I got the gas valve replaced and no leaks there. Sabco sent me a new sight glass, and low and behold it leaks also. I put it on the HLT, so at least it is just water. We bought a bucket heater to preheat the HLT, what a difference in getting the brew day started.

The electrician is coming on Monday to run the 220v for the Speidel. Hopefully we will be able to try it out next weekend, that is if I am not too hungover after the jose aldo fight. Should be a hell of a party

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 9:47 pm
by Whamolagan
And the new beer altar

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Getting ready to fire this puppy up and get er cleaned for sunday.

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 9:53 pm
by The_Professor
Good luck, Whamo.

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:16 pm
by Whamolagan
thanks prof, at the rate I am going, luck is what I need

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:03 am
by Kealia
It's just so purdy!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 3:03 pm
by Whamolagan
So far I am stoked with the speidel. It is so easy to clean. We are gonna brew tomorrow on it, then I can give a full report.

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 6:23 pm
by Inkleg
Me likey the new alter.

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:42 pm
by Whamolagan
Ok, here we go. I am sitting here during the mash and there is nothing to do but burn time on the borg. This thing is entirely too easy to use. I feel as though i am in a Ronco commercial. Set it and forget it. Set the step mash times before you start and pour the grain in. Give a quick stir, and push the start button. It auto regulates the temp, and it does it's thing. I love it. I will be giving updates along the way. There are some limitations, you cannot put the actual recipe into the computer, but that is what beersmith is for, and getting real big beers out of it require some additional dme/lme addition after the lauter. so far I am sold.

Re: Beer altar

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 2:06 pm
by The_Professor
Whamolagan wrote:...getting real big beers out of it require some additional dme/lme addition after the lauter. so far I am sold.
Is this just an issue of capacity? Could you just make the final batch size smaller to account for the larger grain volume? How about a parti-gyle?