Home Brewing / Micro Brewery / My own beer

[MrR]

I use that converted keg that some of you must have seen already for my BIAB .... wrap that baby in a thick sleeping bag & she hardly drops.

I did a brew on Sunday ... wrapped her up and only dropped from 64.4 to 63.5 in a 90min mash ... it dropped to 63.8ºC within the first 30min, but basically stayed there for the other 60min. I removed the sleeping bag on 80min to start heating it up for a mash-out @ 75.4ºC (10min)

I've tried blankets before, but the sleeping bag is a winner.

Old sleeping bags really works wonders. I have a -2ºC/-4ºC sleeping bag that I used and also minimal temp change. Also use those itchy blankets (quilt) that you can buy at a pep or game.

 

[acidrain]

Anything to look out for when purchasing an urn, other than exposed/sealed elements and thermostat cut-offs?

acidrain, how much electricity do you use on average during a brew? I'm using gas as I'm hesitant about what electricity might cost me (after doing my first stove-top BIAB I realised that it would be costly in the long run and the missus wasn't pleased either, so jumped to gas).

The only thing to look out for is the max temp it can go to. You want above boiling so >100C. I would prefer a sealed element but I can't really comment on the difference.

As for electricity, I forgot to check after my weekend brew so again can't really say. Gas is preferable as you can get the liquid up to temp/boil much quicker... the only draw back for me currently is the initial equipment investment.

So for someone that is unable to cough up the cash for a gas setup in one go should look at an urn. If you can afford gas, then go for gas.

 

[Necropolis]

My cooler mashtun is just about finished. Looking forward to my first AG beer

I'm going to brew that 60 Minute IPA clone that was posted a few pages back.

 

[MongooseMan]

My cooler mashtun is just about finished. Looking forward to my first AG beer

I'm going to brew that 60 Minute IPA clone that was posted a few pages back.

It's a great choice, my 2nd batch of it just went into the bottles.

 

[janplank]

So for someone that is unable to cough up the cash for a gas setup in one go should look at an urn. If you can afford gas, then go for gas.

Will this gas burner work??

 

[Necropolis]

That should do the trick...

 

[janplank]

Can I cut open a used 30L keg and use it together with this burner instead of buing a new urn?

 

[Necropolis]

Yeah dude - that will work perfectly.

While you are at it - add a tap, thermometer and site glass

 

[caspa]

Yeah dude - that will work perfectly.

While you are at it - add a tap, thermometer and site glass

this is mine....

 

[acidrain]

That is sweet. Where you guys pick up kegs? Were they secondhand or did you buy them new ages ago?

 

[caspa]

That is sweet. Where you guys pick up kegs? Were they secondhand or did you buy them new ages ago?

Huge mission... my mate just bought three full kegs from makro......drank the beer and kept the kegs.

I got mine from a mate of a mate of a mate...

 

[acidrain]

Pity altho I guess I could turn my broken urn into a boiler

 

[Dimpie (COMPUTEK)]

You can buy empty kegs from Makro or SAB @ R360 a 50Lt

It's amazing how many people tried to bullsh|t me when I was looking for one ... how I had to go on a waiting list because there's apparently lots of homebrewers after these things & once they get it could cost anything from R1200 -R1500 .... YEAH RIGHT :twisted:

PS: those that are after the fancy look of SS pots .... Beerlab is now selling the TALL pots in 25Lt(R1,275) & 46Lt(R1.550) versions > http://www.beerlab.co.za/collections/equipment

 

[janplank]

That's a coincidence. My local liquor distrutor let me buy from them on a cash account. R360 deposit for a 30L keg. Guess the same goes for a 50L. I have my own 30L kegerator for the odd pissup now and then. I still have a few to return to get my deposit

 

[janplank]

If anyone is interested.

 

[Gothan]

Anyone know where I can get a description of the hops in south Africa? Especially those grown by SAB.

 

[acidrain]

Anyone know where I can get a description of the hops in south Africa? Especially those grown by SAB.

Only ones i could find

SAB H1/7 Experimental Aroma Hop – This new experimental aroma hop from SAB has citrus and granadilla notes.

US4/78 - Local dual purpose hop variety. Earthy and spicy, with hints of granadilla and tropical fruit AA 8.7%

 

[Dimpie (COMPUTEK)]

Anyone know where I can get a description of the hops in south Africa? Especially those grown by SAB.

> http://beerlegends.com/hops-varieties
You'll find the SAB ones there as well (Southern Star, Outeniqua and Southern Promise)

Some info on the SAB hop farms > http://www.farmersweekly.co.za/article.aspx?id=38537&h=SAB-Hop-Farms-puts-the-bitter-into-beer

 

[Gothan]

Thanks dude

 

[OGroteKoning]

On my way to the SBF... Tough life...