Fridge Temperature Control
I have ordered a couple Fridge Mate temperature controllers. One is definitiely for the Keg fridge - the thermostat in the fridge just can't handle the low temps at present.
Other one may run a fermentation fridge or something.
I can't stand my beer being too cold - 3 degrees!
Will put the fridge on a timer in the interim.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Kegged the Ale
Finally kegged the ale. Still a bit green but the first sample was malty and hoppy in a very agreeable way. Should be perfect by next weekend.
Used the left over target and challenger from the stout for bittering and a reasonable quantity of Fuggles for flavour and aroma. The Fuggles is definitely coming through.
The Guinish stout is finaly on song too - still trying to get the out door fridge above 4-5C so I can taste the beer without waiting for it to warm up a bit!
Finally kegged the ale. Still a bit green but the first sample was malty and hoppy in a very agreeable way. Should be perfect by next weekend.
Used the left over target and challenger from the stout for bittering and a reasonable quantity of Fuggles for flavour and aroma. The Fuggles is definitely coming through.
The Guinish stout is finaly on song too - still trying to get the out door fridge above 4-5C so I can taste the beer without waiting for it to warm up a bit!
Finally Kegged the Ale!
Had to implement a new closure for my 45 litre kegs which originaly came from Grumpys.
Had been using hard plastic bungs with a screw in plug where the spear would have gone before they were converted to corny style couplings.
Take a 55mm silicone bung and a "U" bolt that with judicious use of some bolt cutters became a sort of double j bolt which just hooks under the rim on either side.
Stood upto a pressure test ok and a hell of a lot easier to deal with than the hard plastic bung.
This is what the old bung was like - made cleaning a pain and needed periodic replacement. Only a few left so had to bite the bullet. 
Had to implement a new closure for my 45 litre kegs which originaly came from Grumpys.Had been using hard plastic bungs with a screw in plug where the spear would have gone before they were converted to corny style couplings.
Take a 55mm silicone bung and a "U" bolt that with judicious use of some bolt cutters became a sort of double j bolt which just hooks under the rim on either side.
Stood upto a pressure test ok and a hell of a lot easier to deal with than the hard plastic bung.
This is what the old bung was like - made cleaning a pain and needed periodic replacement. Only a few left so had to bite the bullet. 
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Thursday, May 04, 2006
The Very Young Stout
As I'm currently more interested in getting the setup settled in the stout was kegged on Sunday having finished active fermentation on Friday (1055->1010). Fermentation was extremely vigorous despite cool temps( 18C) - 41 litre brew almost made it to the top of the 60 litre fermenter!
Having popped it in the fridge late Saturday night it had dropped clear at kegging on the Sunday arvo.
The still somewhat yeasty stout tastes good. It has only just cracked a week post brew so will take a week or three to really hit its straps.
As I'm currently more interested in getting the setup settled in the stout was kegged on Sunday having finished active fermentation on Friday (1055->1010). Fermentation was extremely vigorous despite cool temps( 18C) - 41 litre brew almost made it to the top of the 60 litre fermenter!
Having popped it in the fridge late Saturday night it had dropped clear at kegging on the Sunday arvo.
The still somewhat yeasty stout tastes good. It has only just cracked a week post brew so will take a week or three to really hit its straps.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Brew Day Sunday 30 May 2006
A fairly simple ale was brewed which went without a hitch.
The good stuff from ANZAC day goes into a 45 litre keg!
The "cone" of residue after a good whirlpool and a decent wait followed by a deliberately slow runoff - clear until the last few litres. I took the braid off per advice....
The grunge on the braid which stuck during the previous runoff. One of the assistant brewers takes a knap.
A fairly simple ale was brewed which went without a hitch.
The good stuff from ANZAC day goes into a 45 litre keg!
The "cone" of residue after a good whirlpool and a decent wait followed by a deliberately slow runoff - clear until the last few litres. I took the braid off per advice....
The grunge on the braid which stuck during the previous runoff. One of the assistant brewers takes a knap.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
ANZAC Day Brew PITA
The new setup worked out fairly flawlessly to a point - more later.
Quite a bit of temp loss in the hoses and the fittings - Water at 80C in the boiler dropped to about 70 in the MLT! A couple of quick kettles of water were required to get the temp up. Next time may run some hot water in to heat it up or just allow for more of a differential.
During the sparge sterilsed the chiller by pumping the 80-90c water up to the HLT via it. Had previously done a poor man's CIP routine with dishwasher powder in hot water followed by a rinse.
Boiled fine - a little too fine towards the end - lost a few litres over the top!
Then the runoff to the fermenter! Whirlpooled, waited a bit a turned the pump on. All went well for a few minutes then it slowed to a trickled. Stop, whirlpool, wait, try again. Ended up turning the pump off and letting gravity do the work. Persisted with "runoff" for a couple of hours then at the recommendation of the assistant brewer gave up o the last 10 litres (still got 40-45).
Subsequent look at the bottom of the boiler confirmed that the braid on the pickup tube which was supposed to filter was solid with pellet residue. Will need to lose the braid and try something more open - suggestions?
The new setup worked out fairly flawlessly to a point - more later.
Quite a bit of temp loss in the hoses and the fittings - Water at 80C in the boiler dropped to about 70 in the MLT! A couple of quick kettles of water were required to get the temp up. Next time may run some hot water in to heat it up or just allow for more of a differential.
Mash settled in at 63c and held within a couple degrees for the 120 min it was there.
Sparge went flawlessly - quick recirc with the pump then slow drain into the boiler with slow top up from HLT above. Added the Roasted Barley about half way through the sparge - had steeped in cold water over night per Tom's suggestion.During the sparge sterilsed the chiller by pumping the 80-90c water up to the HLT via it. Had previously done a poor man's CIP routine with dishwasher powder in hot water followed by a rinse.
Boiled fine - a little too fine towards the end - lost a few litres over the top!
Then the runoff to the fermenter! Whirlpooled, waited a bit a turned the pump on. All went well for a few minutes then it slowed to a trickled. Stop, whirlpool, wait, try again. Ended up turning the pump off and letting gravity do the work. Persisted with "runoff" for a couple of hours then at the recommendation of the assistant brewer gave up o the last 10 litres (still got 40-45).
Subsequent look at the bottom of the boiler confirmed that the braid on the pickup tube which was supposed to filter was solid with pellet residue. Will need to lose the braid and try something more open - suggestions?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Virgin Stout
Thinking of a Guiness clone for the first run with the new system.
11kg of Pale, 1.3 of Roast Barley, 1.3 flaked Barley to make about 55 litres. Hops TBA.
Still need to delead the brass fittings in Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar.
May subsequently try to lock up the lead with ortho phosphoric acid - they do this in water systems so can't hurt.
Thinking of a Guiness clone for the first run with the new system.
11kg of Pale, 1.3 of Roast Barley, 1.3 flaked Barley to make about 55 litres. Hops TBA.
Still need to delead the brass fittings in Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar.
May subsequently try to lock up the lead with ortho phosphoric acid - they do this in water systems so can't hurt.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
The
Counterflow Chiller - Wort through the central 1/2 inch tube and cooling water going the other way through the 18mm hose the contains it.
Heard of Phil's Fittings? - this is a Bill's Fitting.
20mm x 15mm x 15mm T piece. Had to solder a 3/4 stub in the right port and 1/2 in the top to connect the CW hoses.
Initially tried soldering the left hand port to the 1/2 tube that runs from left to right but the heat started melting the hose on the right. Ended up using some 1/2 vinyl in some 3/4 hose and a couple clamps to stop the drips - learning - don't bother soldering this, the two bits of hose and the clamps seem to be good enough (and you can pull it apart!)
Counterflow Chiller - Wort through the central 1/2 inch tube and cooling water going the other way through the 18mm hose the contains it.
Heard of Phil's Fittings? - this is a Bill's Fitting.20mm x 15mm x 15mm T piece. Had to solder a 3/4 stub in the right port and 1/2 in the top to connect the CW hoses.
Initially tried soldering the left hand port to the 1/2 tube that runs from left to right but the heat started melting the hose on the right. Ended up using some 1/2 vinyl in some 3/4 hose and a couple clamps to stop the drips - learning - don't bother soldering this, the two bits of hose and the clamps seem to be good enough (and you can pull it apart!)
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