The Stroyteller Brewery Test Brew 170 litres

[Martin the fish]

Cool. Interesting to see and hear your thoughts on the system and why you are doing it.
Can't wait for more!!!

[mixbrewery]

Star quality production.
Loving the grist mixer thang!
Just mixing my normal brew for 50lt is knackering - must do something for the next big batch of 75lt or enlist helpers (Des - fancy a trip to Hemel?)

Hope it all turns into a cracking beer.

[Matt]

That is THE business. This must be how the grown ups brew is it

Great inspiration to us placcy bucket brewers chaps

Hope it all turns out tickety-boo.

Matt

[des]

[quote="mixbrewery"]must do something for the next big batch of 75lt or enlist helpers (Des - fancy a trip to Hemel?)

I'm on my way

[DaveH]

Star quality production.
Loving the grist mixer thang!
Just mixing my normal brew for 50lt is knackering - must do something for the next big batch of 75lt or enlist helpers (Des - fancy a trip to Hemel?)

Hope it all turns into a cracking beer.

MB - if you need an apprentice, i'm only up the M1 a couple of junctions (J12 to be precise!!). I'd be more than happy to help mixing etc - plus, as i'm about to go AG myself, i may be able to pick up a few tips!!!!

[Gurgeh]

I'm stunned. Fantastic set-up!

That whole no-mash-stirring rule has me very intrigued... I've been shown a plan for a mashing in device and part assmebled one. never used it and have since cannibalised it too... hmmm...

SO the rise in Ph you attribute to a miscalculation in your mashing-in? care to explain that to a confused reader?

We tested the pH at a very early stage. The disproportionate level of mixing in the tube caused an excess of water at the end. When I visited a local micro they strongly advised not stirring the mash too much as this knocks out the air and the grain bed doesnt float, therefore we didnt over stir and left it to sort itself out. Leaving it for the 1 1/2 hours allowed it to settle and normalise so the Ph balanced out. With better flow rates on the next mix I should get a more consitant mix that allows for better readings. I will wait about 15 minutes next time before I take the original pH reading. It it remains higher than 5.4pH I may add some Gypsum to the mash and not put it all in the boiler. Again its a live and learm process that involves fne tuning.

So you're saying that your grain:liquor ratio was not as intended then...? now i understand...

Now floating grain in the mash... I can see that if the particles/grains are floating freely in the mash, then the sparge water coming from the top will rinse them exceptionally well...
I immediately thought that having a buoyant false bottom below the grain would be a more consistent way of doing this, but fear that actually that would cause the grain to compress upwards anyway...
SO does the air in the mash exist as a large pocket/pockets of air below the mash or as a myriad of little pockets uniformly distributed amongst the grain???

[bandit]

It is a myriad of little pockets uniformly distributed amongst the grain. The secret seems to be not to mix it to allow it to float. I have been advisded to keep the grain bed floating about 2 inches above a solid false bottom. What I tend to do is mix a 2.5:1 ratio of grain and water and mash with that. When the mash is complete I add another 0.5:1 liquor volume to the mash and let that rest for 10 minutes. I then start the draw off and recirculate until clear. Once its running clear I start the spinny sparge arm and leave the input and outputs balanced until the sparge is finished

[bandit]

The yeast head has formed very well and all is looking good. I thought I would show you this and another idea.



When this is in the fermenter you can use it as a paddle to rouse the yeast. You just lift the lid and it waggles backwards and forewards in the wort and stiirs it for you without having to clean spoons etc. Yet another labour saving device.

It also doubled up as a wort chiller for the boiler, and it got sterilized in the process

[bandit]

Gentlemen.

I now own 7 (seven) cornies full of beer from this one brew. I did have enough left to fill a 5 litre polypin so that will be the tester in 2 weeks, erm 10 days, maybe a week

I put 80g of Safale SO-5 straight into the fermenter with no starter. I drained out nearly five litres of yeast today from the bottom of the fermenter when I had finished.

Now for the wait for maturation

[steve_flack]

I hope he likes it

[oblivious]

How long do you think it will take to get through 7 cornies?

[Wez]

Thats great I'm looking forward to the next brewday, in 2010

I'd imagine you are going to have a few very happy mates

[bandit]

I hope its all gone by the end of June. Plans are afoot for bigger things

[retourrbx]

Bandit - is there a post outlining our brewery setup?

[bandit]

There isn't a single post detailing the set up. I like everyone else have posted numerous threads and joined in many others. I suppose that the actual kit has been transformed from a 30 litr plastic bucket to what you see now. All I can say is that in about 3 weeks the brewery as it stands at the moment will be moving to its new home. When I get there I will launch a new thread. On this I will detail its birth into new surroundings and try and share the experience as I believe it may be quite unusual