1BBL Systems

[Ghillie]

Would love to brew bigger batches of beer and wouldn't mind hearing from any guys on here that do so?

Currently brewing 23L batches in a single vessel system and happy with the results. There's just something that attracts me to 3V systems though, and if I were to get one - it would be on a bigger scale.

For those who do brew on a bigger scale, how does your fermentation schedule work out?

Currently I have just one fermentation chamber, which basically means I can only brew when the chamber is free. I would love the flexibility of brewing twice a week for example (4 fermentation chambers) but can imagine just how much space 4 fridges or freezers would take up just for 23L batches... Wondering what those who are brewing on a larger scale are doing fermentation wise?

Cheers!

 

[simon12]

Not sure if this is the sort of answer you are looking for but when I had a 1BBL brewery the fermenters had cooling coils in the insulation in the side wall and were cooled by maxi chillers so the whole thing took up only slightly more floor space than a fridge. As for schedule we where casking the beer so after 5 days fermentation it was chilled to 6C for 24 hours then could be put in casks around 1 gravity point from the end of fermentation ready for the next batch.

 

[Ghillie]

Not sure if this is the sort of answer you are looking for but when I had a 1BBL brewery the fermenters had cooling coils in the insulation in the side wall and were cooled by maxi chillers so the whole thing took up only slightly more floor space than a fridge. As for schedule we where casking the beer so after 5 days fermentation it was chilled to 6C for 24 hours then could be put in casks around 1 gravity point from the end of fermentation ready for the next batch.

Thank you Simon.

What size were your FV's if you don't mind me asking?

5 days, wow that's quick. But I guess if you're cask conditioning real ales then I guess the process is slightly different.

Going 1BBL and making an American pale ale for example, I'd really still be looking at achieving full attenuation in the fermenter (10-14 days) and then bottle conditioning or force carbing?

Many thanks for the reply.

 

[LeeH]

What are you going to do with nearly 300 pints?

 

[Ghillie]

What are you going to do with nearly 300 pints?

The same as I'd do with 40! Only kidding.

Jokes aside, I'm trying to work out feasibility of selling my beer. Before this goes any further; I don't want this to turn into a debate of how it's a waste of time, etc, etc - as this topic always does. I will never depend on brewing as a source of income. I have a job that takes care of that, which also gives me a lot of time off. So I'm thinking about a larger setup that would allow me to sell brews locally, small scale. At best I'd just need to break even. As it's a hobby and fun, there's no need to try and pull a salary from it either. I see it not all that different from what I'm doing now.

 

[simon12]

Thank you Simon.

What size were your FV's if you don't mind me asking?

5 days, wow that's quick. But I guess if you're cask conditioning real ales then I guess the process is slightly different.

Going 1BBL and making an American pale ale for example, I'd really still be looking at achieving full attenuation in the fermenter (10-14 days) and then bottle conditioning or force carbing?

Many thanks for the reply.

I don't know the exact full capacity but would guess around 200l, I could fill 4 firkins plus the trub left behind.

 

[LeeH]

Good luck, hope it works out.

 

[MyQul]

The same as I'd do with 40! Only kidding.

Jokes aside, I'm trying to work out feasibility of selling my beer. Before this goes any further; I don't want this to turn into a debate of how it's a waste of time, etc, etc - as this topic always does..

Out of interest where have to been told going commercial is a waste of time? Whenever anyone here talks about the possibility of going commercial Ive never seen anything but positive comments.

 

[Ghillie]

Out of interest where have to been told going commercial is a waste of time? Whenever anyone here talks about the possibility of going commercial Ive never seen anything but positive comments.

Never in person as I've not mentioned it before until now. Certainly not on here either; only have good things to say about this place as I've learnt a lot. I believe a lot of the forums were Yankee ones, but the trend seemed to always be "don't do it, stick to home brewing" and "you won't be successful, do you know how many are closing per day?". Seemed to be the way of it which was a pity as it clearly can be successful. All dependent on the person though I guess.

 

[MyQul]

Never in person as I've not mentioned it before until now. Certainly not on here either; only have good things to say about this place as I've learnt a lot. I believe a lot of the forums were Yankee ones, but the trend seemed to always be "don't do it, stick to home brewing" and "you won't be successful, do you know how many are closing per day?". Seemed to be the way of it which was a pity as it clearly can be successful. All dependent on the person though I guess.

Didnt think anyone would shoot you down at THBF. We're nice here (apart from maybe Gunge, who specialises in being 'orrible)

 

[Ghillie]

Didnt think anyone would shoot you down at THBF. We're nice here (apart from maybe Gunge, who specialises in being 'orrible)

Haha, definitely not - a friendly bunch here!

 

[Leon103]

Out of interest where have to been told going commercial is a waste of time? Whenever anyone here talks about the possibility of going commercial Ive never seen anything but positive comments.

There are always negative comments.

 

[Druncan]

It works, I sell all my brews. Two years in and expanding to 200l. However, it is only really commercially viable if you have a niche market. It is hard if you sell to the main UK marketplace. Economies of scale do not benefit small pico setups and that is not negative it is reality,
or just ask gunge for his opinion!!!

 

[IainM]

There are always negative comments.

^^ this... except on this occasion it doesn't matter because OP doesn't want to draw a profit commensurate with the effort.

 

[Badseed1974]

Would love to brew bigger batches of beer and wouldn't mind hearing from any guys on here that do so?

Currently brewing 23L batches in a single vessel system and happy with the results. There's just something that attracts me to 3V systems though, and if I were to get one - it would be on a bigger scale.

For those who do brew on a bigger scale, how does your fermentation schedule work out?

Currently I have just one fermentation chamber, which basically means I can only brew when the chamber is free. I would love the flexibility of brewing twice a week for example (4 fermentation chambers) but can imagine just how much space 4 fridges or freezers would take up just for 23L batches... Wondering what those who are brewing on a larger scale are doing fermentation wise?

Cheers!

Where are you planning to brew if you go commercial? At home or do you have somewhere else in mind?

 

[MyQul]

There are always negative comments.

Guess there's always someone that doesnt want to see you succeed

 

[Ghillie]

Where are you planning to brew if you go commercial? At home or do you have somewhere else in mind?

Ideally from my garage, providing planning was approved, I satisfied the requirements of env health, the local council and my mortgage provider.

Renting a premises is something that wouldn't be financially viable on a small scale such as 1BBL, because of the brew schedule I have in mind and the nature of my job (working away from home). I'd likely find myself under pressure to brew; which I know would then turn the hobby into a chore; in order to cover rental costs.

Brewing from home however, would allow me the luxury of brewing as much or as little as I like. With the only "pressure" being potential demand. That in itself is not a worry.

 

[simon12]

I recently went to a 2BBL brewery thats on the side a some ones house and asked about planning and he said the council are OK without planning permission as long as theres no complains from neighbours they will consider it commercial home brew so you may get lucky.

 

[lancon]

I agree with Simon12, don't get planning involved, they'll get involved by complaints, if there are any. Planning application is about £400...

 

[Ghillie]

I agree with Simon12, don't get planning involved, they'll get involved by complaints, if there are any. Planning application is about £400...

And if the planning is rejected then you have equipment that's wholly redundant for what you bought it for?