Novice-Just discovered HERMS-Advice wanted

[JamesH]

Hi guys,

I'll come right out with it. I'm a total novice, have only ever kit brewed once. But I've just discovered HERMS and RIMS and to be honest I want one, but I'm very unpractical. I cant do all the welding, plumbing, electrics etc.

So really my question is simple...Roughly, how much would a HERMS system cost me?

And are there people who build/install these for useless amateurs like me?

Please note I may be amateur, but I am very serious about brewing beer. I plan to have a proper micro in the next few years so this is my educating myself in the art.

Thanks,
James

 

[Aleman]

You want to have a chat with forum member Brewzone who does build custom breweries for what I consider to be a very sensible amount of cash. . . What I will say though is that you don't really need HERMS . . . and it is for this reason that I have made my HERMS unit to be independent of the main brewery . . . I can use it or not depending on how I feel, its also something else to worry about while learning to brew . . . you don't need that. Learn the basics of brewing . . . and then add a HERMS.

 

[JamesH]

ok I thought I might get advised against and to stick with the basics of brewing. I appreciate that, but just to clarify - does that mean bucket and saucepan brewing? Kit brewing?

And isn't a herms system effectively like having a very mini microbrewery? In that the pumping and heating is controlled similarly to a 'real' brewery?

Also, are there any homebrew courses that anyone knows of?

 

[Frisp]

Stick around here and listen to the Gurus banter among themselves.
Look at the How to's here and on Jims.
Get yourself an invite to a brewday.
you wont need a course.

 

[bones]

Hi, James where abouts in the country are you ....

As suggested you may get an inite to a brew day....

 

[Aleman]

isn't a herms system effectively like having a very mini microbrewery? In that the pumping and heating is controlled similarly to a 'real' brewery?

Not at all, I have worked with several commercial breweries from 2.5BBL up to 70BBL, and not one of those breweries uses a herms system in any way. The last place I was brewing at was exactly the same as Saucepan and Bucket brewing only a bit bigger (1Tonne+ mash capacity and 18BBL Kettles) . . . Of course the reason they work very successfully is that the volumes involved have a massive thermal resistance . . . with a 20L system the losses have a much more significant impact. I will admit though that once you get much over 10 Gallons some sort of Wort pump does make moving the volumes of wort around the pots much easier.

Are there any homebrew courses that anyone knows of?

You need to talk with Brewlab . . . part of the University of Sunderland, Dr Keith Thomas is a really nice guy, and they know their stuff . . . Unfortunately they have dropped the 4 day Homebrewer course (Although I am trying to get it reinstated), but they have several courses that are suitable.

 

[evanvine]

Hello James, Bones is right!
Just give us a clue as to where you are.

 

[JamesH]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm in South London and I do accept that I have a lot to learn. My thinking was that its possible to learn brewing using a HERMS system. That said, I dont actually have the money for one, I wasnt just planning to go out and buy one. I'm just looking for a way to make really quality beers and dont really want to kit brew.

With that in mind, can anyone give me a rough cost on a HERMS? Just to satisfy my curiosity?

Thanks

 

[bones]

James it has been said above... you don't need HERMS to produce Good Beer ...

Trust me!!

Hop and vine compiled a 10 gallon brew kit for £165 (twin element)...

Lots of guys use this kit with perfect results... :thumb:

You can add HERMS to this later if you wish when you get a few basic brews done and get to swing the ropes a bit

http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog/de ... HA20225648

 

[unclepumble]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm in South London and I do accept that I have a lot to learn. My thinking was that its possible to learn brewing using a HERMS system. That said, I dont actually have the money for one, I wasnt just planning to go out and buy one. I'm just looking for a way to make really quality beers and dont really want to kit brew.

With that in mind, can anyone give me a rough cost on a HERMS? Just to satisfy my curiosity?

Thanks

Cost ££££££££££ Plenty, If you can not do it yourself, Brewzone sells his Brewery's for around £1300.00, which is a very good price for an all S/S system.

If you just want to brew quality beer for as little money as possible, go down the plastic bucket cool box Mash tun route, if you buy a decent coolbox, you won't need a herms. and you will be able to build one for less than £150 easy, some thrifty ones will do it for less than £50

For proof you don't need fancy equipment to brew good beer look here: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=5718

UP

 

[JamesH]

Ok, I'm getting the point. I must admit I like the look of the simple 10 gallon brewery on hop and grape, going to look into that. Without meaning to sound lazy, does anyone have any links to any good videos with one of these in use?

 

[Vossy1]

Cost ££££££££££ Plenty, If you can not do it yourself, Brewzone sells his Brewery's for around £1300.00, which is a very good price for an all S/S system

I'm probably mistaken, but they're not HERMS equipped are they. If not you'll have to add a more cash on for a control unit and heat exchanger.

You're probably better migrating to HERMS unit once you have a grip of the basics, just like has been advised. If you do decide to use a HERMS it's well worth building your own, as there aren't many (if any) off the shelf jobs out there. They are quite easy to make and most of it has been 'done and documented' on the various forums, as Frisp says.
Depending on the size of your brewery, and as a rough guess, you could probably make a 50ltr stainless HERMS for around £500/£600.
A plastic 10 gallon adopted H&G HERMS, additions possibly 1 pump £60 (depending on your set up you might need 2), Herms HE £50, valves and fittings £50, HERMS controller, £50.

Have a good look around you tube for vids, there are loads of good ones to give you ideas