52 replies to this topic

[Captn_Awesome]

I know we've had threads on CAA / MEA over the years on home brewing. But we havent had one recently so I thought I'd throw it out there as its one of my new hobbies and I know of at least 2 other reasonably serious home brewers on here.

I've been brewing for just under 1.5 years now. Started off doing partials at a brew it yourself place (http://www.barleycornbrewers.com/ for any one interested in oakleigh, Victoria) which gave me the bug. Previously I'd always found that "home brew" tasted like, well, homebrew...

Since then I went and bought a Coopers kit and with some guidance from the guys over at AHB (www.aussiehomebrewer.com) I turned out a reasonable "kit" beer.
Then I went on to buy some kegs (18L x 4 and 9L x 2) a chest freezer with a tempmate for temperature control. Some CO2 and a regulator. Unfortunately I havent been able to afford decent taps so I's just using a bronco / picnic /plastic tap for pouring.
I've also made an AWESOME cider by juicing about 35 kg of fruit adding some dried malt extract some dextrose and some vanilla. I ended up having to "water" this down with some "just juice" as it ended up way too dry and about 12.4% alcohol (a couple of glasses and I was on my ass - it hit like a road train.)

As some might be aware I recently obtained a fridge (thanks Sid!) for maintaining fermentation temps so I should be able to brew more consistantly and with better results. I'm also going to be using this fridge for cheese making (yep home brewing got me into cheese making...)

And now I'm gathering parts for my 3 vessel all grain brewery
So far I've collected :
2 x 2400 watt elements
1 x 1800 watt element
1 x 3600 watt element
2 x PID contollers
2 x solid state 240V 40A relays

At this stage i'm planning on having 2 x 2400 watt elements in my HLT to bring it up to strike temp then dropping one off and firing up the 1800watt element for HERMS for the mash tun in a stand alone hear exchange then using the 3600watt element in the kettle for the boil - but im still in two minds. Part of me wants to use gas for the boil as im scared of scorching the wort on the electric element. I also dont know if I should get a thermostat or PID to control the kettle.

I'm planning on using 50L kegs (obtained legally) for my vessels. I'd rather use 70L robinox stainless stock pots but they are a little too pricey (I can get two kegs for the price of one stock pot)

Once I finish building the brewery I want to set up a still for making "essential oils" as well.

So who else brews and whats your setup?

[fuddbutter]

i sell a cheese making book here at work

i like drinking home brew, dont like waiting for home brew

[Captn_Awesome]

Yeah the waiting sucks the first few batches
but once you build up your stocks its all good. This is why I have a 500Litre cheast freezer converted to a fridge (thanks to a tempmate) I currently have 4 x 18L kegs and the 2 x 9 Litre kegs in there and theres enough room for another 4-6 easily. Concidering that 18L is 2 slabs thats a reasonable amount of beer / cider.

Whats the book called boobs? got links?

[fuddbutter]

http://www.fmb.com.a...d473.html#p2063

that one there.

[bezz]

I got a mate that's really into it. I'd love to do it if i had more time. Right now I'm happy to be taste tester/beer critic. My mate just made a Chimei Blue brew that is quite possibly the best home brew I've ever had.

[pigphama]

I do the lot, spirits, beer (bottled and kegged), wine, cider at home. Been doing it for over 15 years now but nothing big time. Just playing around with different kits, brew enhancers and working on how to get the best from what I know and have learned over the years. I work part-time (saturdays) at Brewcraft here in WA (Sparkles you know them as they sold you your kegs earlier this year). My forte is the spirits side of things, currently working on raising the alcohol % on my current still using different yeasts and doing a raised section on my reflux. Getting around 5lit clean at 80% from a 23lit wash.

pigphama

[Cide]

pigphama, on Jul 21 2009, 03:04 PM, said:

I do the lot, spirits, beer (bottled and kegged), wine, cider at home. Been doing it for over 15 years now but nothing big time. Just playing around with different kits, brew enhancers and working on how to get the best from what I know and have learned over the years. I work part-time (saturdays) at Brewcraft here in WA (Sparkles you know them as they sold you your kegs earlier this year). My forte is the spirits side of things, currently working on raising the alcohol % on my current still using different yeasts and doing a raised section on my reflux. Getting around 5lit clean at 80% from a 23lit wash.

pigphama

and it's oh so lovely!

[Captn_Awesome]

Yeah I know brewcraftWA shame they dont ship to Vic cause the have crappy way over priced LiquorCraft. Might have to hit you up next time im buying new kegs
I actually get a lot of my gear from QLD from http://craftbrewer.com.au/ Ross and the team are fantastic to deal with. Normally one of the cheaper suppliers and the shipping is always fast!
I want to eventually have my all grain rig setup like the MashPilot that www.beerbelly.com.au sell.

I learned a lot by going to an all grain demonstration day at grain and grape here in melbourne (www.grainandgrape.com.au)

Hows your wine turn out? Most people I know who've done wine have only done it a few times before bailing out complaining that they cant get a decent wine.

[fuddbutter]

i got somethin brewing at the moment..

[Cide]

*waits for another installment in fudds daily bowel movemnt*

[pigphama]

~Sparkles~, on Jul 22 2009, 09:38 AM, said:

Hows your wine turn out? Most people I know who've done wine have only done it a few times before bailing out complaining that they cant get a decent wine.

This is my 4th batch and the 3 previous were very nice but I'm not a wine expert. It does take time but you get that with any brew you do if it is going to stand out from the rest.

pigphama

[Fury♫]

SNR's brew is good at killing brain cells

[Captn_Awesome]

Fair enough.

I think I'll personally give the wine a miss for the time being - too many good wineries in this country. As it is I struggle to drink all the wine I buy through wine clubs and mailing lists from wineries I've visited.

I dream of one day owning a small micro brewery / restaurant / cafe / bed & breakfast / farm stay with big gardens (resembling those of cascade brewery in hobart) so we could do like wedding receptions etc. Hey we've all gotta have dreams.
I've been collecting refractory fire bricks for building a wood fired pizza / bread dome oven and a charcoal rotisserie spit. I've got an awesome sour dough starter going so I've been belting out a loaf a week for the last few weeks - pretty pleased with myself i have to say lol.
I priced up python line a few weeks ago $1800 for the amount need to have 4 beer taps in the front garden, the BBQ area and one in the kitchen. I've already bought some air driven flowjet beverage (beer) pumps to do a long line run.

[Carr]

pigphama, on Jul 21 2009, 05:04 PM, said:

I do the lot, spirits, beer (bottled and kegged), wine, cider at home. Been doing it for over 15 years now but nothing big time. Just playing around with different kits, brew enhancers and working on how to get the best from what I know and have learned over the years. I work part-time (saturdays) at Brewcraft here in WA (Sparkles you know them as they sold you your kegs earlier this year). My forte is the spirits side of things, currently working on raising the alcohol % on my current still using different yeasts and doing a raised section on my reflux. Getting around 5lit clean at 80% from a 23lit wash.

pigphama

What tower are you using on your still? I can get about 3-4lt at about 95% from a wash. I have a Still Spirits Super Reflux tower and an extension. The Super Reflux should get about 90% and the extension raises it to about the 95% mark.

Cheers
Chris

[pigphama]

Carr, on Jul 26 2009, 02:44 PM, said:

What tower are you using on your still? I can get about 3-4lt at about 95% from a wash. I have a Still Spirits Super Reflux tower and an extension. The Super Reflux should get about 90% and the extension raises it to about the 95% mark.

Cheers
Chris

I have the 25lit 3 in 1 fermentor with the Super Reflux condensor but the extension is not for sale here in WA. I have used a 3/4 threaded brass plumbing section that I bought at Bunnings as the extention. What yeast and turbo sugar combo are you using? I have been using the Classic with 9 kg of turbo sugar but this week I'm changing back to the Power with 10.5kg of turbo sugar.

pigphama

Edited by pigphama, 26 July 2009 - 10:13 PM.