Hazelwood Brewday

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Final test. Set the clock, set the defrost to come on and off again 1 minute later.

16:15 and the defrost is off. Circuit is closed.

16:16 defrost comes on and circuit opens.

16:17 defrost is switched back off and the circuit closes again

 

[samale]

Top Job

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

That’s it folks. I now just have to integrate this system into my brew-shed control panel and once I’ve done that I’ll post one more picture to show what it looks like.

Tomorrow, back to brewing!

 

[samale]

What's next up on the brew schedule

 

[Rodcx500z]

Quality job there Mr H

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

What's next up on the brew schedule

I have three beers to keg over the next few days - a couple of IPAs and a Belgian Tripel.

Then I need to get more brews on the go - German Pilsner, Best Bitter, Summer Breeze

 

[chillipickle]

HB your passion for brewing is second to none, wish there was more days/hours in the week.Can only manage one 23ltr brew a week atm.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

HB your passion for brewing is second to none, wish there was more days/hours in the week.Can only manage one 23ltr brew a week atm.

I’m doing the same really. I have two spaces in my fermentation cabinet and it takes the best part of two weeks for them to ferment. Works out the same as you and only a problem if you drink more than 23litres a week

I can ferment many beers concurrently by raising the temperature of the brew-shed to 18C and making the whole shed an enormous fermentation cabinet but I only do this on occasion to quickly build up stock - when I’m thirsty

 

[chillipickle]

To be honest it isnt to bad keeping the kegs full atm, when lock down rules get relaxed, there are a few friends and family chomping at the bit for some beer on tap.....

 

[Brewnaldo]

 

[Brewnaldo]

Seriously though, outstanding work HB

 

[user 18729]

I’ve got a control panel that needs wiring up...

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

My defrost system is now integrated into my brew-shed temperature control panel and is working. The system will now automatically defrost at 1am for 1 hour each day. This is what it looks like (I’ve manually switched on the defrost so you can see the “defrost on” light illuminated).

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Just kegged another batch of Citra Pale Ale. This one is 5% and has gone in one of my King Kegs. Kegging another Citra Pale Ale tomorrow, different recipe, also going in one of my King kegs.

 

[samale]

So you drink your ales at 14. I am drinking around 8 degrees.
What do you put through the maxi cooler. Pilsner

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

So you drink your ales at 14. I am drinking around 8 degrees.
What do you put through the maxi cooler. Pilsner

Yes that’s right. 14C for me is a good temperature for most ales. The cooler chills pilsners to close to zero, and chills my saison and weizen to about 7C.

It is possible of course to also chill my fermentation cabinet if I’m not fermenting so that gives me additional flexibility.

 

[flipfrog]

Not that you need any more ideas for controls etc! but have you looked at brewpi or if your into rolling a more custom setup BrewPiLess?

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Not that you need any more ideas for controls etc! but have you looked at brewpi ?

You’re right - no more ideas!

I keep thinking that’s probably it now and then another issue arises or I have another thought. D’oh!

Seriously, that’s probably it now.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

This morning seems a good day for tasting a few beers and experimenting with some flavourings.

Tasting first and I’m starting with a Citra Pale. Excuse the light glare on the lens. This ale has been conditioning for a week and is clearing nicely. The aroma and flavour are good. Another week and I think this one will be good to go.

Next I’m going to try my Russian Imperial. This has been conditioning for 12 weeks so far and it’s nowhere near ready - the flavours are still too intense and haven’t mellowed.

Last taster for today is my “Vintage” ale that’s just over a week conditioned (so, what’s your definition of “vintage”?). It’s actually coming on really nicely and at 9.2% is pretty smooth. I will of course leave it for a while longer

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

While I’m at it (tasting!), this is a donor ale for some fruity flavour experiments. It’s a simple pale ale with some fruity hops as the base.

These are the flavours I’m trying out.