New Member - UK (Hayling Island)

[DrunkDelilahBrewery]

Hi all,

Thought I would introduce myself. I'm fairly new to home brewing, with just 11 all grain batches to my name (and 2 of them made the drain). Recently just upgraded the kit to a BrewTools B80 Pro but will still keep my trusty BIAB system. Really enjoying building the brewery and learning lots of new stuff each day.

Nice to meet you all.

Stew

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Welcome to the forum thumb

 

[Gerryjo]

Hi and welcome to the forum...

 

[McMullan]

That was a bit of a giant leap, wasn't it? Financially too. The BrewTools system is the most expensive one pot brewing system on the market today, despite not being fully assessed for being over designed therefore labour intensive. I guess that's what happens when design meetings aren’t managed very well I don't see many experienced brewers forking out so much to complicate wort production. The only advice I can offer you is make sure you keep all the 3-way valves clean - a job and a half in itself, in my experience

Sorry, welcome to the forum. How's that old yew tree doing?

 

[Banbeer]

Welcome to the forum and happy brewing

 

[Minimag1]

Welcome Neighbour

 

[DrunkDelilahBrewery]

That was a bit of a giant leap, wasn't it? Financially too. The BrewTools system is the most expensive one pot brewing system on the market today, despite not being fully assessed for being over designed therefore labour intensive. I guess that's what happens when design meetings aren’t managed very well I don't see many experienced brewers forking out so much to complicate wort production. The only advice I can offer you is make sure you keep all the 3-way valves clean - a job and a half in itself, in my experience

Sorry, welcome to the forum. How's that old yew tree doing?

Hi,

Bit of a leap yes but despite being fairly inexperienced I do like the idea of the system. Some might see it as over engineered but I wanted a set system that I can route water and wort without constantly moving pipes of pieces about. The quality of the kit is exceptional - much greater than that of the rest; I currently have 4 valves on my system with the condensing hat and steam condensor - I also have the CIP kit which again means I do not need to move anything about. They are a really innovative company, very responsive and listen to feedback. They will release their FV's very soon and I hope to be able to mash, boil, chill and transfer all in place and then CIP the kit and pipes once the wort is safely pumped to the FV's. All FV's are likely to be pressured too so it's really like having a pro brewery of my own. I'm really excited about building this up - is it expensive, yes - do you need it to produce award winning beer, absolutely not - but it will provide consistent results and I like that all parts are replace able easily.

Yew Tree is fine (I believe) - are you a local?

 

[darkbright]

Hi,

Bit of a leap yes but despite being fairly inexperienced I do like the idea of the system. Some might see it as over engineered but I wanted a set system that I can route water and wort without constantly moving pipes of pieces about. The quality of the kit is exceptional - much greater than that of the rest; I currently have 4 valves on my system with the condensing hat and steam condensor - I also have the CIP kit which again means I do not need to move anything about. They are a really innovative company, very responsible and listen to feedback. They will release their FV's very soon and I hope to be able to mash, boil, chill and transfer all in place and then CIP the kit and pipes once the wort is safely pumped to the FV's. All FV's are likely to be pressured too so it's really like having a pro brewery of my own. I'm really excited about building this up - is it expensive, yes - do you need it to produce award winning beer, absolutely not - but it will provide consistent results and I like that all parts are replace able easily.

Yew Tree is fine (I believe) - are you a local?

Welcome! Never heard of Hayling Island, but I have now.

Spend your money and enjoy it how you want - you earned it.

 

[DrunkDelilahBrewery]

Welcome! Never heard of Hayling Island, but I have now.

Spend your money and enjoy it how you want - you earned it.

Happy to take other folks opinion and share mine. I admit it is a rather large step up but then I never do things in half measures. Though I have just 11 AG batches under my belt I do have lots of previous brewing experience. Being an active member of the several forums, Facebook Groups and the likes I have picked up a lot of good advice. The best thing about Home Brewing is that (in the main) most of the members are proper adults and none of the social/keyboard warrior nonsense. I spend a lot of time in FB BrewTube page and I love the banter - I am hoping this forum is similar. I've heard great things about it. Everyone can learn something new and I try to do that daily.

Thanks for reaching out - it is appreciated.

Yes, Hayling Island is a little Island just next to Portsmouth and Gosport, attached to the mainland by a bridge and it is a wonderful place if not a little quirky.

Stew

 

[McMullan]

Hi,

Bit of a leap yes but despite being fairly inexperienced I do like the idea of the system. Some might see it as over engineered but I wanted a set system that I can route water and wort without constantly moving pipes of pieces about. The quality of the kit is exceptional - much greater than that of the rest; I currently have 4 valves on my system with the condensing hat and steam condensor - I also have the CIP kit which again means I do not need to move anything about. They are a really innovative company, very responsive and listen to feedback. They will release their FV's very soon and I hope to be able to mash, boil, chill and transfer all in place and then CIP the kit and pipes once the wort is safely pumped to the FV's. All FV's are likely to be pressured too so it's really like having a pro brewery of my own. I'm really excited about building this up - is it expensive, yes - do you need it to produce award winning beer, absolutely not - but it will provide consistent results and I like that all parts are replace able easily.

Yew Tree is fine (I believe) - are you a local?

Hampshire and Sussex mainly. Surveyed the old yews across the Downs many moons ago and I remember that one quite well. A fine beast. I was considering a BrewTools system, but after a lot of consideration and looking passed all the fanboy hysteria on social media, I decided to go for another, bigger Braumeister instead. Having had one for about 7 years I know how good they are and I really can't be bothered to go back to manual, hands on brewing. It gets too time consuming and messy, IMHO. And if I'm going to spend money, I'd rather spend it on making brew day easier. That's not what the BrewTools system offers, but you'll have fun with it for some time I hope. Then you'll buy a Braumeister, which is still pretty expensive, but cheaper than a BrewTools.

 

[DrunkDelilahBrewery]

LOL, fanboy hysteria is possibly where I am at - can't deny it. Yes, Braumeister is a damn fine system also - always thought them too expensive but you're right, Brewtools certainly is more so L for L I guess, not sure why I bypassed them in my assessment really...think I got lost in a frenzy when the other half uttered the fatal words of "just buy the boody thing" - no time to consider options; clock was ticking !!!

 

[Chippy_Tea]

One of the big plusses when the Braumeister came out was the fact every part can be replaced, the elements in many of the cheaper systems cannot

 

[DrunkDelilahBrewery]

One of the big plusses when the Braumeister came out was the fact every part can be replaced, the elements in many of the cheaper systems cannot

Yes - was a major factor in my BrewTools choice. I really don't know why I didn't consider it when I decided I was going to spend large on BT's machine. I might return to a Braumeister for smaller batches maybe....

 

[McMullan]

Yes - was a major factor in my BrewTools choice. I really don't know why I didn't consider it when I decided I was going to spend large on BT's machine. I might return to a Braumeister for smaller batches maybe....

A 50L BM should quench your thirst. I'm planning on running both my old 20L and my new 50L at the same time, to show how easy it is to make wort on a BM. I'll be painting a landscape watercolour after pressing 'start' for the mashes. To be honest, owing to their sporadic supply, despite apparent demand, you could probably resale a BrewTools system without incurring much loss.

 

[dwhite60]

BrewTools B80 Pro

Nice system. Lot of money for me though.

Welcome aboard.

 

[DrunkDelilahBrewery]

A 50L BM should quench your thirst. I'm planning on running both my old 20L and my new 50L at the same time, to show how easy it is to make wort on a BM. I'll be painting a landscape watercolour after pressing 'start' for the mashes. To be honest, owing to their sporadic supply, despite apparent demand, you could probably resale a BrewTools system without incurring much loss.

Just checked pricing....about the same price and I can make 80L...... not very good litres....but 80L for the same price !!!! LOL.

 

[DrunkDelilahBrewery]

BrewTools B80 Pro

Nice system. Lot of money for me though.

Welcome aboard.

Thanks for reaching out - yes, a lot of money - unique situation where there were funds and the other half said "just do it" - I didn't hesitate !!!!!

 

[Chippy_Tea]

the other half said "just do it" - I didn't hesitate !!!!!

You have a keeper there.

 

[Session]

Hello Stew!
I have only been to Hayling Island once so far but thoroughly enjoyed it... do you play real tennis?

 

[dwhite60]

Thanks for reaching out - yes, a lot of money - unique situation where there were funds and the other half said "just do it" - I didn't hesitate !!!!!

You certainly have a keeper! Congratulations.

If mine looked at me and said, "Do whatever you want". I'd stop.

Read a story on a fishing forum about a guy that wanted a boat. Kept pestering his wife and she finally said,"Fine, do whatever you want". So he did. Wife came after he spent a day out buying the boat he wanted and darn near killed him. Almost cost him his marriage. Ended up selling the boat at a big loss and hadn't even put it in the water.

"But honey, you said.....", was not going to work in his situation