[sts9fan]

I am sure there are threads on this but I am starting another.  I am just getting into this even though this is my third season growing hops.  I helped a buddy build a pretty nice set up that we are now producing brews with.  Our first three 5gallon batches have been a Lagunitas IPA clone, Ballast Point Sculpin Clone and a "Saison American".  The Sculpin clone came out amazing and the saison is pretty good also with lots of bannana esters.  The lagunitas was good but we think it got fouled by some rootbeer seals from the kegs.  Anywhoo here is some pictures of the set up.  It is very automatic with temperture controled solenoids on the burners.






 

[JDUBS]

Wow, this is pretty awesome!!  Great looking setup.

-Jim

[jrebman]

Chris,

Wish I could see the setup -- sounds very cool.  In our community we have a large central club house with a commercial kitchen, deep sinks, monster stove, blah, blah, and that's where a bunch of us do our brewing.  We keg too and never bottle, but we have a double barrell kegerator in it's own room off the dining room, so once the brew is ready, we just load it in there and help ourselves.

I can't even tink of all the brews we've made over the years but they've all been good (with the one exception  of an attempt at a gluten free beer) and some have been outstanding.  We often forage in te neighborhood for various wild hops and have found some really great ones within a block or two of ours.

Good stuff!

-- Jim

[santacore]

Wow, great looking setup!! I'm a amateur home brewer, but don't quite get what you're doing with the setup. Please explain for those of us that are less experience.

By the way-love the Scuplin and Laganitas brews, I bet yours are tasty. I have an American Brown Ale in it's second week of fermentation right now. Can't wait to see how it comes out! Cheers.

[sts9fan]

The sculpin came out amazingly close. 
Do the set up is as follows.  The keg to the left is the brew kettle, center is the mash tun and right is the hot water for mashing.  The rest is just pumps and a plate chiller on the bottom left.  During the boil we put ice water into the right keg and use that to chill the boil with the plate chiller. 

[santacore]

I need to keep an eye out for an extract recipe for the Sculpin. Delicious!!!

Great looking setup. I've only done 1 all grain brew and it was fantastic. I wish I has the space and materials to do it often. For now, I'm happy doing extract brews.

[persisting1]

This is one serious setup 

Once the weather cools down a bit, I'm going to start my first homebrew. I'm thinking of starting easy with a hard cider.

[sts9fan]

Cider can't be any easier. Cider+yeast= goodness.   I suggest using champagne yeast.
Also, bring a 5gal bucket to an orchard and many will fill it for you.

[persisting1]

Cider can't be any easier. Cider+yeast= goodness.   I suggest using champagne yeast.
Also, bring a 5gal bucket to an orchard and many will fill it for you.

Unfortunately, I do not live near any orchards. I am planning on using champagne yeast. I know some use store bought apple juice, but for my first batch I'll juice some apples myself.

[Bill A]

Nice setup. I've been brewing from kits for several years and really enjoy it! All-grain is on my to-do list.

Bill

[ratso]

THIS is your beginner setup??? 


this is a beginner setup: