Hi, have been home brewing for a bout 15 years but have been confined to kits, both wet and dry. Myself and a pal want to take it a step further and are looking into the feasibility of setting up a micro brewery in the garage. The aim is to make "real" ale, on a small scale at first. We would welcome any advice or tips on how to achieve this aim. Lists of equipement needed, costs etc would be greatlt appreciated.
Ian
setting up a micro brewery
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bobby5762
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tribs
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Frothy
Howdy
Jean yves said in one of his posts he decided to go pro when he couldn't make it fast enough because people wanted it so badly. Supply and Demand.
Relatively speaking a microbrewery is not expensive to set up, my local frog island for example can be seen using dairy tanks etc. - if you have broadband then this video should be right up your street
its called Frankenbrew and its a documentary going through about 5 american microbreweries (which boomed in the 80's) and all the equipment that they use - what got them started etc etc. It's split into 6 smaller videos but its well worth the effort
http://www.krotchrott.com/videoframe.html
Matt
P.S.For containers and things depending on where you are
http://www.gbltd.co.uk/
Jean yves said in one of his posts he decided to go pro when he couldn't make it fast enough because people wanted it so badly. Supply and Demand.
Relatively speaking a microbrewery is not expensive to set up, my local frog island for example can be seen using dairy tanks etc. - if you have broadband then this video should be right up your street
its called Frankenbrew and its a documentary going through about 5 american microbreweries (which boomed in the 80's) and all the equipment that they use - what got them started etc etc. It's split into 6 smaller videos but its well worth the efforthttp://www.krotchrott.com/videoframe.html
Matt
P.S.For containers and things depending on where you are
http://www.gbltd.co.uk/
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BlightyBrewer
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bobby5762
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bod
you should check out http://www.mossbrew.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ for decent (both small and large scale) micro brewery equipment.
as far as customs side of things go, i used to have to deal with all of this, so i can point you in the right direction if you want to go comercial.
as far as customs side of things go, i used to have to deal with all of this, so i can point you in the right direction if you want to go comercial.
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Frothy
http://www.abuk.co.uk/
They're nice guys too - they are the ones that first told me about brouwland
Matt
They're nice guys too - they are the ones that first told me about brouwland
Matt
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sagwalla
I was going to suggest Mossbrew as well... he sells a 2 firkin brewery. I am enquiring about one at the mo' as a pilot brewery. We were looking at a 1 barrel plant but you don't see them anywhere - usually smallest is 2.5 and your probably getting on for £5k for that - serious for the hobbyist (although you can buy used, but it will probably still cost about that - What's Brewing usually has ads from the trade people (like ABUK) and also from brewers who are closing up shop or scaling up.
I think the issue with transitioning to micro is the scale-up. You go from being able to do things manually a la home brewery to having to heave a fair bit of spent grain and hot water around, and at some point you need 3-phase to get enough power in the copper and HLT.
We're still transitioning pro, but everything you've read here is good advice - including knowing a bit about all-grain... its doable on a small scale, but you have to jump through hoops on the duty side - monthly returns, prompt payment. I would question whether it's really worth it for a couple of firkins a couple times a week. The HMRC people are helpful and the website docs on duty are exhaustive on your obligations.
Good luck... let us know if you decide to take the plunge.
I think the issue with transitioning to micro is the scale-up. You go from being able to do things manually a la home brewery to having to heave a fair bit of spent grain and hot water around, and at some point you need 3-phase to get enough power in the copper and HLT.
We're still transitioning pro, but everything you've read here is good advice - including knowing a bit about all-grain... its doable on a small scale, but you have to jump through hoops on the duty side - monthly returns, prompt payment. I would question whether it's really worth it for a couple of firkins a couple times a week. The HMRC people are helpful and the website docs on duty are exhaustive on your obligations.
Good luck... let us know if you decide to take the plunge.
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eskimobob
The http://www.pbcbreweryinstallations.com/ designs and installs micro breweries. Their website is really inspiring me...(oh dear)
They have a 1 barrel brewery for £3000 + VAT
Now where could I put one of those :huh:
They have a 1 barrel brewery for £3000 + VAT
Now where could I put one of those :huh: