CASTLE POTO AG BREWERY BEGINS!

[periolus]

This is it! I'm still slightly in two minds about the boiler (gas or leccy) but have now got a quote for my pots and have all the materials necessary to build my chiller, based on BigYin's design! I mentioned to a friend that I wanted to build one (he is now getting into brewing too), and he got me the bits, bless him - with a trade discount too!

Off on hols tomorrow, but when I return I will be building a chiller and placing an order for 3 big shiney pots! Off we go! :party:

 

[artyb]

nice one ..... :party:

the only way is up... :thumb:

 

[Vossy1]

Sounds like a plan is coming together :party: , remember to take and post pics along the way :thumb:

 

[periolus]

Will do - in fact I have created a blog! Have all the parts to make Big Yin's TCIC, two manifolds and any extra bits of piping required from BV's to other bits of kit. I also have one ball valve, which I ordered to see if it was worth the money - a 3-part SS job which is very nice and I will be forced to keep now!

Budget restraints and an unexpected bill mean I can't order my pots until the first week of October, but we are getting nearer. The challenge is for me to have the brewery complete by 31/12/11 (exactly 4 months from yesterday, when the blog was created), with a view to doing my first AG brew on New Year's Day.

Really excited now! My wife is even going to put some money towards it later in the year :party:

GO! GO! CASTLE POTO!

 

[evanvine]

My wife is even going to put some money towards it later in the year

Never had that, but to be fair she has never demurred about my brewing!
Sounds like you are going to have fun with your build, best of luck. :thumb:

 

[periolus]

Oh bother! Well, I did end up delayed on the start of the build, but I have managed to practise some soldering of copper piping on scrap borrowed from a mate, and his spare (but rather temperamental) MAPP torch. Good heat from those!

Think I have the hang now, so will not be scared of doing the real thing on my chiller. As funds for a lot of the brewery are coming from Xmas presents now (had a financial accident in October!!) , I will be getting a new quote for shiney pots at the end of the month. I will now be using 2 pumps in my set up to keep it all on one level, which will be easier. A few more questions re: pumps and I have all the info I need to finish buying and get building.

So - apart from chiller, the rest of the build begins in the first week of January. I will keep a blog as planned and should be able to complete it all in March some time.

NEARLY THERE! :thumb:

 

[Shrek]

Keep the faith brother :thumb:

 

[Dronfieldbrewer]

Its worth it in the end!! I said sitting back with a Dronfield Best Bitter... Burrrp!!

 

[periolus]

Indeed! Sitting in the garden with home-brewed beer sounds lush. I have even planned loads of brews and named them all with the help of the kids.

I also decided to get 3 people to randomly come up with a verb, preposition and noun to come up with the name of a super-strong ale to christen the brewery with. Those random words turned out to be 'Punched in the *******'. Maybe need to rename that one :shock:

Will keep y'all posted.

 

[sheffieldlad]

'Punched in the *******'.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

DO NOT rename that brew but feel free to post the recipe if it's a success.

'I'll have a pint of punched in the ******* please'

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[evanvine]

Punched in the *******

You can't expect your first to be perfect, so the name could be quite apt! :whistle:

 

[ThreadKiller]

Bugger!!!!!!!
tea all over my key board!