Homebrew and Brew Systems

A few years ago I decided to start making beer. I had a few friends who were doing it and it kind of looked interesting. I thought it looked easy and it was something that I could do. If it turned out "ok" then I could share it with my dad.

When I started I bought a basic setup and was doing 3 gallon batches. It took about 3 hours to make the batch before letting it ferment for a few weeks. Over time I added on to the setup. I started fermenting in glass carboys. I started doing a secondary fermentation. It was all going well. (I was also able to add a few different pieces and also make wine. Incredibly easy.) I also went from 12 oz bottles to the flip top bottles (each bottle holds more and less bottles to clean).

As time progressed I met more people who brew and they were making beer the all-grain way. Then I came across a DVD on all-grain brewing. It actually looked easier than I imagined. I had a friend who did all-grain brewing (35 gallon batches) and he gave me his old coolers. I bought a false bottom, replaced some hoses, and did my first 5 gallon batch. Took about 6 hours to make but most of that time is sitting around and waiting. The beer came out awesome! I also started kegging into 5 gallon corney kegs instead of bottling. Tastes awesome. I made about 10 batches before I started looking at wanting to do bigger batches (actually 10 gallons). It takes the same amount of time and you get more.

Now I come to the main point of this whole bit of blabbing. I was looking at systems to do 10 gallon batches. After looking at the pre-built systems I decided that maybe I should try to build a system. I looked for plans and couldn't find anything that fit what I had in mind, kinda inexpensive. (BTW, there was an issue of Brew Your Own magazine that had a good article on building a brew system.) So I have decided to build a pump driven brew system. In my future posts I will try and posts pictures and show how I put the system together. I hope it helps someone else who decides to make their own system.

What I have purchased so far is 3 sanke kegs (from the salvage yard for a total of $75). Some fittings from Austin Homebrew Supply (Ball Valves, Bulkhead, Nipple). A false bottom from Midwest Supplies. A grain mill off of eBay (Barley Crusher Malt Mill pictured below).












I still need to purchase a counterflow wort cooler, a march pump, and get a sculpture to hold everything. Then I need to add burners and do the plumbing.

Hope you enjoy. More to come.