Student Brewer - The brewery arrives (part 1)
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It's the start of something good. The first 2 Fermentation Vessels arrived on Wednesday, along with 20 barrels. I've already got the Mash Tun, and next Wednesday I'll have the final FV (although it'll be used as a Hot Liquor Tank to begin with) and the Copper.
I know they don't look like much, but I wanted a brewery that I could do up myself, replacing bits and pieces as and when. I didn't want to get a brand new sparkly show piece that meant all I had to do was push a couple of buttons. I suppose I really want to work at it - learn how it all fits together, learn better positions for all the kit. And of course learn how to brew - what different yeasts do.
So here's the kit so far, a 4 Brewer's Barrel Mash Tun, sadly without lid or sparging arm at the moment. As you can see, there's a bit of work to be done on the housing for the brewery - cladding the walls in stainless steel is one option. Getting a roof on it is the first thing though, and that means getting friendly with building regs.
The 2 FVs (yet to be named, suggestions welcome!). Again, not much to look at but the technical side of them is there. They are VERY well insulated, and have cooling jackets which will be plumbed into the water to control the temperature of the ale whilst it ferments. They have a small tap on the door which allows you to draw off samples.
The top of the FVs have an input for an airline. The idea, the previous brewer told me, was that by pumping air into the top of the FV, you can draw the beer off into a conditioning tank without disturbing the yeast at the bottom as much as you would if you drew the beer off with a standard pump. Seems to make sense, and looking forward to the day I turn the pressure up too much without thinking and spray beer across the brewery...
We've found a temporary use for the barrels as well. Rather than just have them stored in the corner of the car park, we currently have no fencing marking the end of the patio. We also have the poles from when the marquee got blown down waiting to be re-used. The solution is on the right - not bad for a temporary solution!
So, not much left to get. Copper and HLT arrive next week. Then it's just a roof, walls, door & lock, water, gas, electric, heat exchange, self priming pumps, connecting pipes, drains, gas ring for under the copper...
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