Newbie looking for advice

[Greedo]

Hi,

Newbie here. Hello everyone.

Quick question. Has anyone been on any courses with Brewlab and are they worth the time and money?

Selling a business in the next few months and will have a lot of spare time. I was thinking of going on one of their courses and then starting a micro brewery on a commercial basis and seeing how things go.

Thanks guys.
Greedo

 

[Samarith]

Great way to make me hate you on your first post. Jealousy is such an ugly emotion.

Not been on those courses but if they are like any training course I've ever been on, you'll do better having done a few AG brews before you go.

Do you have AG experience already? If not, it might be worth investing in 25L pilot setup and giving it a whirl.

 

[Greedo]

Great way to make me hate you on your first post. Jealousy is such an ugly emotion.

Not been on those courses but if they are like any training course I've ever been on, you'll do better having done a few AG brews before you go.

Do you have AG experience already? If not, it might be worth investing in 25L pilot setup and giving it a whirl.

Sorry mate :)

I'll be honest. I've only ever made a homebrew from a kit from Boots many moons ago.

I love my beers and know all about them but have never made any since my early 20's(38 now). I've been collecting as many and trying as many from all over the world for the last 10 years so know what type I would like to try and make. I know the science behind it is the main challenge but just thought I'd push myself out my comfort zone and try something completley new and fresh. Kind of thrive on pressure. Marketing, selling and running a business is not an issue as I have for many years and know people in the trade all over Scotland. Just want a fresh challenge.

Now the embarrassing bit. What is AG???

 

[corby_brewer]

AG is All Grain brewing.
Which is mash the grain to extract all the sugars and then you boil the wort with various hops to make your beer.

 

Welcome to the Forum Greedo.
If setting up a Micro is your desire, I think you may have a teeny weeny bit of a learning curve to go through.
Worry not, all here will give you any advice and help you need.

 

[Samarith]

If you look through the beer section on the forums there is loads of info on the brewing process and the various equipment setups for making AG brews.

If you're reasonably competent at DIY you can make your own equipment from the guides (for small scale production) or buy a 25L set for £200+.

My local microbrewery was setup in 2007, The man behind the Brimstage taste. He invested £125,000 and seems to brew and sell 3000 pints a week. I'm guessing location and overheads probably factor heavily in startup and operational costs but its been 14 years since I did business management and it was only a small part of my last degree, so I'm in no way qualified to offer advice.

 

[L33]

Hey Greedo,

Nice to meet you.

I went on Dave Porters Course in Bury, did a week of theory, brewing and bottling, to be fair it's a great entry into brewing.

Look on his website PBC Brewery installations.