Home Beer Makers

From Concept to Brew Day: A Three Tier Brewing System Guide

2011-11-02T14:58:40Z

Sooner or later, every serious home brewer starts thinking of moving his home brewing into a space of it's own. This often includes upgrading the equipment you already have or choosing from one of the many quality three tier brewing system available and starting your own microbrewery with a three tier brewing system. Since you're reading this, you've probably already started looking at three tier brewing system and the many options available. And there are a LOT of options... So many, in fact, that you may not now where to start. To clear away some of the confusion you may have about three tier brewing system and their elements, I'm going to break the process of choosing, buying and setting up your brewing stand into a few simple steps.
]]> here) Before you can do anything, you need to decide where you want to brew and how much space you can allot to your brewing. If you're short of space, you may want to look at two or three tier three tier brewing system, which have the advantage of gravity when it comes to transferring your wort from one kettle to another. If, however, you want everything low to the ground and have the space for it, one of the single tier three tier brewing system could be the right fit for you. Though in this article I'll be talking about tiers, understand that if your brewing stand is a single level, the elements will still be the same. You're just more likely to need a march pump to transfer your water and wort from one kettle to another.

#2 What you'll need. The basic setup for most three tier brewing system is as follows: hot liquor tank (HLT), mash tun, and brew kettle. The hot liquor tank is your source of hot water which, in the brewing process is often called liqour. The mash tun is where you'll soak or mash the grains in water from the hot liquor tank. Once this is done, you'll strain the resulting sweet liquid called wort from the mash and send it to the brew kettle. I've listed the items you'll need below.

Elements of three tier brewing system:

    A three tier brewing system*
    Hot Liquor Tank
    Mash Tun
    Brew Kettle
    Fermenter

Optional elements for brewing stands:

    Heating Elements
    and a Wort Chiller

*Or a single tier wide enough to accommodate the HLT, Mash Tun and Brew Kettle.

Most three tier brewing system rely on gravity to do a great deal of the work when transferring liquid from one kettle to the other. Because of this, the first tier of most three tier brewing system is the hot liquor tank. Try to get a steel one with a built in thermometer. The temperature of the water you use in the first stages of brewing is very important. Putting the HLT on the top tier allows you to add water during any of the steps without having to lift what could be dangerously hot water. Let gravity do the work for you. It's safer that way.

The second tier should be the mash tun. Try to get one with a mash screen or false bottom. It allows the wort to be drained while holding back the solids in the mash. It's both faster and easier than trying to strain the wort by hand. Again, go for steel with a built in thermometer. If the mash is too hot or too cool, it can alter the resulting wort, thus altering the final result of the beer.

The third and bottom tier of a 3 tier brew system should be the brew kettle. Like the hot liquor tank and mash tun, this should also have a built in thermometer and be made of steel. Here you will boil the wort with the hops.

Finally, you'll need a fermenter. Though fermenters don't actually have a place on most three tier brewing system, they are an important part of the three tier brewing setup because you can't brew without them. If you've been brewing at all, you probably already have a fermenter. Unless you choose to upgrade it while you're looking at brewing stands, or simply need a larger one, this is probably not something you'll have to buy. Just know that you will still need it.

#3 Gas or electric? Now that you know the basic setup you'll need, you need to choose your heating elements. Three tier brewing system with electric heating elements allow more precise control over the temperature and allow you to have the levels of the stand closer together, but some people still prefer all gas three tier brewing system. In the end, it's a matter of personal preference. Choose the heat source that prefer.

You'll also need to decide how you're going to cool your wort before adding the yeast and sending it to the fermenter. Most people choose a simple wort chiller that uses cool water to quickly lower the temperature of the wort. You can also add a march pump to circulate and transfer your wort during the many stages of brewing. One of the many reasons people choose three tier brewing system is that they make the process of brewing easier. Anything that adds to that is probably a good idea.

#4 Start building. Once you have everything you need for one of these quality brewing stands, it is simply a matter of putting everything together and making sure it's sturdy. Before you ever brew anything with your new brewing stand, test everything. Fill each of your kettles with water and make sure they don't wobble or tilt awkwardly. Those are both obvious signs that something is wrong. Better to find out now and fix the problem than to discover it in the middle of the big brew day with ten or twenty gallons of near boiling water. Once you know everything is nice and stable, test the heating elements. Heat each tank of water with the heating element to make sure they're set up and working properly.

#5 Brew away! Now that everything is bought, assembled and tested, it's time to brew. Commemorate this event with a large batch of your favorite brew or try out a new recipe. Then, raise a glass to your new micro brewery and to three tier brewing systems everywhere.

Micro Brewery Equipment For Any Budget

2011-09-22T07:57:05Z

Experienced home brewers know that better ingredients make better beer and so does better brewery equipment. Sure, making your beer on the kitchen counter can be fun, but sooner or later, you'll want to start looking at quality home brewing equipment to take your home brewing to the next level. Often, people put off upgrading their brewing equipment, thinking that they can't afford it, but that isn't true at all. In fact, whether your budget is large or small, you can find home brewing equipment to meet your home brewing needs. From the smaller Brewmaster beer machine to a full sized three tier brewing system, there are options for any price range and none of them require you to sacrifice quality.
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If you have a little more to spend, you might want to invest in a three tier micro brewery equipment setup like one of Blichman's three tier brewing stands. These stands are made of quality materials and are amazingly versatile. They an be customized for all electric brewing or a combination of gas and electric. You can set Blichman's brewing stands up to brew five to fifty five gallons of your personal recipe brew at a time. You can custom order your brewing stand to include such micro brewery equipment components as a March pump, heat exchanger, and quick connectors. Choose your mash tun, burners, brew kettles, thermometer and heating elements to suit your needs. You can even add an electric brewpot and a plate chiller to add to the efficiency and effectiveness of your brew stand.

When you order one of Blichman's brew stands, you know you will get exactly the micro brewery equipment you want so that you can brew your beer exactly how you want it. In fact, every element of Blichman's three tier brewing stands can be ordered separately and assembled with the three tier brewing stands or ordered as a package. Though you save by ordering all of your micro brewery equipment at once, you can choose to buy the basic brewing stand first, then add or replace elements as it suits your brewing needs. This makes your micro brewery equipment much more affordable than it would be if you had to buy everything all at once.

There are many options for brewing stands and more than a few versions of quality beer machines like the beer machine brewmaster, so that you will be sure to find quality micro brewery equipment to fit both your budget and your needs. Whichever you choose, your micro brewery equipment will be sure to be a source of enjoyment and pride as well as a source of delicious, high quality brew.

The 3 Tier Brewing Sculpture - Taking it to the Next Level

2011-07-19T19:25:04Z

If you are looking into 3 tier brewing systems, then you are serious about taking your home brewing skills to the next level. We will show why it's a wise investment.

Whether you have taken the plunge into home brewing and are looking to develop your skills further, or if you are a home brewing connoisseur, you might be considering a 3 tier brewing system to enhance your homemade beer. If you are not, you probably will be after reading this article, for a couple reasons we will discuss later in the article.]]>
The Benefits of a 3 Tier Brew System

The benefits of a 3 tier brew system are twofold, with the first being that it's less expensive than other methods, or sculptures. This will allow for investing the saved money into other areas to fully enhance your home brewing experience. Second, it does not require a pump, providing more portability as you don't have to depend on electricity. Those two benefits are most likely the reason for the 3 tier brewing system's popularity in the home brewing community.

The 3 tier brewing sculpture utilizes gravity, as the 3 all grain containers are held at various heights, allowing for gravity to take over in draining the brew. The pot on the top level is called the hot liquor tank, or HLT. The next level down is the mash/lauter tun, or MLT. And, the lowest vessel is the boil kettle, or BK.

The HLT in the 3 tier brewing sculpture is strategically located so that water will bleed into the MLT for the blending, or infusing process. The MLT can then be drained into the BK. The boil kettle can be mounted at a level that allows for gravity to drain the liquid into another vessel for the fermentation process.

There are two common designs of the 3 tier brewing systems, which are a step design, and the center pole design. The step design is features the pots in a step formation. However, the center pole design provides you with a more compact footprint for mounting the brewing pots.

Home Microbrewery Equipment and Supplies - Don't Let Your Budget Stop You

2011-06-23T12:26:54Z

If you have stopped your own goal of home microbrewing just because you thought it was complicated, as well as costly...stop. Home microbrewery equipment and supplies can fit any budget.

Home brewers share one common goal, and that is to create the best brew. Many beer connoisseurs believe that the best beers are created with high quality home microbrewery equipment, due to the freedom to experiment in finding the ultimate in flavors. The good news is microbrewery equipment is not only available, but affordable as well. Now, to those who have previously thought it was costly and complicated, you will be happy to know that there are just as many options for budgets, as there are for flavors.

]]> The Equipment for Varying Budgets

For those who are wanting to microbrew, but are on a tighter budget, there is viable option. All in one beer machines received a negative reputation in the past. You noticed I said 'in the past', right? That's because the Beer Machine 2006 Beer Brewmaster had not been introduced yet. However, Beer Machine's top engineers appreciate those who seek far more in your home microbrewery equipment than simply cutting cost. It doesn't do any good to produce a machine that just saves money. They realize that if it's not merged with high quality, it won't stay on the market. So, this piece of home microbrewery equipment is here to stay.

If your budget for home microbrewery equipment is not as limiting, then look to the Blichmann 3 tier brewing system. Blichmann has been dedicated to building top of the line products for decades and has earned the reputation of being the best. Their 3 tier stand is exactly what you need if you are looking to raise the bar in your home brew.

So, no matter what your skill level is, or your budget, you can achieve home microbrewing, with the many opportunities available in home microbrewery equipment. Starting a home microbrewery has quickly come to the forefront of beer connoisseurs, due to the ability to create exceptional and variable flavors through experimenting, along with the affordability of the hobby.

New recommended product - 3 tier systems

2011-05-04T09:08:14Z

I just placed a new recommended product I absolutely needed to share with you. I always started to drewl a bit when I was at my local brew shop and looked at the 3 tier systems they had to offer. But there was always something that was not according to my wishes, to small, not the right brand, not practical and so on.

On this site I recommend a lot of products you can buy at the High Gravity webstore, that's because the products they sell are high quality and have a good price. They now have a page where you can build your own home brewery system. You can choose different sizes, different brands and all good quality. And after I talked to a few of my brewing friends and noted their thoughts, I just needed to write a review about it.

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I really do recommend you to read my latest review and take a look at the High Gravity webstore page where you can build your own 3 tier system.

Peter

A Look at Blichmann Brewing Supplies

2011-04-08T12:49:38Z

As any serious homebrewer knows, there’s really no room to cut corners if it’s important to you to produce the best possible brew under the sun. Quality is everything and nothing but the best will do. However, that’s exactly why Blichmann brewing supplies are the top choice of homebrewers everywhere.

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Blichmann Engineering has over 15 years of solid experience and homebrewing know-how behind their products. This includes intensive study and experimentation in the realms of product design, efficient manufacturing technique, and much more. As a result, Blichmann brewing supplies are considered the equipment to have. They are considered to be the finest, most efficient, and most innovative homebrewing tools on the market today hands down.

What sorts of Blichmann products are available to me?

Blichmann offers a full line of homebrewing supplies that can be truly said to cover all the bases. Many brewers begin the process of upgrading their arsenal with any one of Blichmann’s comprehensive and technologically advanced brew pots. However, the company also offers high quality items such as brew kettles, bottle fillers, wort chillers, temperature gauges, conical fermenters, brewing stands and much more. Reliable accessories such as valves, connectors, brewing gloves, and more are available as well.

Thanks to Blichmann, homebrewers everywhere are now free to take the quality and professionalism of their brewing routine to brand new heights. Everything today’s home beer and wine producers could possibly need is available. What’s more, Blichmann brewing products are built to last a lifetime, so they represent a sound investment in your homebrewing hobby that will continue to pay off into the far-reaching future.

Where can I find Blichmann brewing products for sale?

Blichmann distributes their products via homebrew stores and brewing retailers everywhere. Since they’re currently the name to beat in regards to the homebrewing business, most stores that cater to the dedicated homebrewer carry Blichmann brewing supplies as an option. Many brew shops also offer special orders as an option if you are looking for specialized accessories or Blichmann equipment that they don’t stock on the premises.

However, you might want to consider looking into buying Blichmann brewing supplies online instead. Online retailers don’t have to pay the massive overhead costs and salesperson salaries that brick and mortar brewing shops do, so they are often able to offer their merchandise at a discount. Since they don’t have to keep a storeroom fully stocked with merchandise ready to go either, they are able to offer you a better selection of available products as well.

Furthermore, most products are available for immediate delivery this way, so you could literally be browsing through an online Blichmann brewing site, find exactly the brew pot or beer gun you were looking for, and have it on its way to your front door within minutes.

The Blichmann Promise

The Blichmann company’s personal motto is: “Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.” This sums up in a nutshell how their loyal consumers feel about their products. Built to last and built to perform, Blichmann brewing equipment is considered the best money can buy for a reason. Shouldn’t it be your choice as well?

4 Reasons to Make a Cornelius Keg Your Choice

2011-03-23T13:31:53Z

Sooner or later, every homebrewer reaches a point where he really needs to think seriously about investing in a keg for his homebrew. A keg keeps your beer fresher longer. It also eliminates the need to prime and bottle every single batch of homebrew, which any large batch brewer would be happy to know. However, when it comes to the serious homebrewer who really cares about his beer, not just any keg will do. A Cornelius keg is without a doubt the way to go for so many reasons.

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1. A Cornelius keg is the professional choice.

So you’re not a professional bar or restaurant owner! Most homebrewers aren’t. However, that doesn’t change the fact that a Cornelius keg is the most efficient at getting the job done right. For that reason, the Cornelius kegs is the fastest growing keg choice amongst home beermakers as well. Choosing an inferior keg means settling for an inferior beer. If you’re going to make the investment, best to do it right so that you really get your money’s worth!

2. You can have any Cornelius keg size you like.

Cornelius doesn’t just provide you with quality and efficiency. It provides you with choice as well. If you still tend to brew smaller batches of homebrew, try the 3 gallon keg to start with. Are you in the habit of serving large crowds or possibly even looking for a keg you could actually open a bar with? Go for the 5 gallon Cornelius keg instead.

3. Cornelius will last you a lifetime.

Sure, a Cornelius keg is an investment… but it’s an investment that will practically last you forever. Made from only the toughest materials and featuring only the very best valves and accessories, your new Cornelius was literally built to last. You won’t have to replace it for years and years unless you want to! As mentioned above, the Cornelius keg is the number one choice amongst homebrewers and beer enthusiasts everywhere for very good reasons and durability is definitely one of those.

4. It’s easier to find cheap Cornelius kegs for sale than you think.

Many homebrewers put off purchasing their Cornelius because they’re sure that it’s going to bankrupt them. However, they clearly don’t know that it’s a simpler task to get a good price on a Cornelius than you would otherwise suppose. Try shopping online for your keg instead of going to a local brick and mortar homebrew shop. Online vendors don’t have to pay as much overhead to run their businesses and the savings wind up being passed on to their valuable customers. When it comes to an item like a keg by Cornelius, those savings can really be substantial.

Whether you’re a long-time homebrewer or someone who’s only recently discovered this exciting hobby, the consensus is pretty much unanimous when it comes to home brew kegs. The Cornelius keg is the way to go, so it really pays to make it your choice, too.

3 Important Features All Conical Fermenters Should Have

2011-02-04T08:52:53Z

Every serious homebrewer dreams of the day when he’ll have his very own collection of top quality, stainless steel brewing equipment. Stainless steel is well known throughout the world of beermaking for its incredible integrity when it comes to keeping beers pure and uncontaminated, as well as for its incredible durability and resistance to damage. In fact, it is not unusual for a beermaker who invests in stainless steel to never have to replace his equipment again at any point in his lifetime.

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For that reason, it’s important to pick the very best equipment under the sun and what better place to start than with a steel fermenter of conical design. Conical fermenters are famous for minimizing the likelihood of contamination because of their flawless, seamless construction and many beermaking experts agree that they are absolute must-haves. Using a conical fermenter that contains the following features will deliver a even greater efficiency!

1. Stainless Steel as Opposed to Aluminum

Most expert-level conical fermenters are made of either aluminum or steel. Both are quite good as far as quality goes, and the beermaker on a budget might be tempted to go with aluminum, but stainless steel is considered to be superior for many reasons. For one thing, it’s infinitely more durable. Conical fermenters made of stainless steel are also more scratch resistant, ding resistant, and much easier to care for than their aluminum cousins. If you really like the idea of being able to pass your homebrewing equipment down to your children and grandchildren one day, stainless steel is definitely the way to go.

2. A Rotating Racking Arm

Until recently, only factory-grade conical fermenters featured rotating rack arms, but as homebrewers become more demanding, more vessels have been including this feature. A rotating rack arm helps you optimize the brewing and separation processes to the greatest extent possible, meaning you get the very most out of each batch of homebrew. It is very much worth your while to go for a vessel that features one of these, such as the conical Blichmann fermenter known as the Fermenator.

3. A Failsafe Lid

The very best conical fermenters feature airtight lids that keep your beer completely sealed throughout the entire brewing process. Again, the Fermenator is an excellent choice thanks to the way it features a stainless steel hatch with a truly impenetrable seal, putting it well ahead of its peers when it comes to protecting homebrew from contamination. Far too many conical fermenters that are otherwise very efficient cut corners when it comes to the lid, significantly lowering their value, so be sure to only invest in a piece of equipment that makes the grade in this area.

The very best stainless steel fermenter will truly cover all the bases when it comes to homebrewing in every way. They’re durable, easy to care for, efficient, and professional, allowing you to elevate the art of homebrewing to amazing new heights with a minimum of effort. Be sure to go with a trusted name with a long history of producing results and satisfying customers… like Blichmann! They’re the number one name in conical fermenters and top-of-the-line brewing equipment for a reason, after all!

When Is It Time to Consider Kegging Homebrew?

2010-12-08T15:59:47Z

Eventually the day will find you when you’ve been homebrewing for a while. You not only have the entire brewing process down pat from start to finish, but you probably also have your own special tips and tricks that you swear by to other homebrewers. You’ve probably even perfected every recipe you’ve ever tried, not to mention created a few new ones all your own. If you’re serious about making good homebrew, you’ve probably definitely considered investing in a home brew keg system. However, a good kegging system represents a significant investment. How do you know if you’re personally ready to take the plunge?

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You’re ready for kegging homebrew when you brew large patches often.

One of the easiest ways you know you’re ready to start kegging your homebrew is when you brew often enough and in large enough batches that the bottling process is starting to get on your nerves. It’s become tedious, takes forever, and has literally turned into something you dread. When you invest in a good set of equipment for kegging homebrew, you’re free to save your bottles for special batches, gift giving or for small batches of brew that you want to keep portable for picnics or bringing along to parties. Use the keg to preserve and store your personal supply at home. It’s
more convenient, cleaner and a really nice addition to your home bar area, too.

You’re ready for kegging homebrew when you become a stickler for quality.

Serious homebrewers who have been doing what they do for a long time become total sticklers when it comes to quality. They’re always looking for ways to make the quality of their brew more consistent and keep it that way. Bottling, while reliable to an extent, will never be able to keep your homebrew as fresh as a keg will. When you start kegging homebrew, you remove the need for a separate priming process from your brewing routine. This allows for more consistent carbonation. It also allows you more control over the level of carbonation per batch. The results? Better, fresher, more delicious homebrew that you have to taste to really believe.

You’re ready for kegging homebrew when it’s in your budget.

Although systems for kegging homebrew are without a doubt something every beer maker needs to consider at some point, it’s important to realize that they do represent a significant investment. You want a good quality system made out of durable material like stainless steel and manufactured by a trusted name like Cornelius. You will also probably want to consider a separate fridge for storing your keg and keeping it cold at all times. Plan on spending several hundred dollars at least, but know that it’s worth it. When it comes to kegging homebrew, it just doesn’t pay to cut corners. When you go all out for quality, it really shows in the way your homebrew looks, tastes and lasts. When you’re ready, definitely consider looking into a cornelius keg system for yourself. You won’t believe the difference it makes when it comes to the quality level of your beers.

The Benefits of Using a Stainless Steel Conical Fermenter

2010-11-17T14:04:07Z

Once you reach the point with your homebrewing where you’re looking to up your game a little, you will no doubt find that you’re dreaming of flawless stainless steel equipment and accessories that elevate all of your special brews to new heights. While there are many choices you will find appealing, a stainless conical fermenter is a wonderful first piece to consider for a number of reasons.

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A Stainless Steel Conical Fermenter Adds Convenience

One of the major advantages attached to this particular type of fermenter is you can use it for both the primary and secondary fermentation processes, streamlining the brewing process quite a bit. Otherwise, you’ll need to invest in separate containers capable of meeting each need on a separate basis. Any homebrewer who’s been doing what he does for any length of time simply doesn’t need to be told what a blessing it is to be able to eliminate unnecessary equipment from the mix or bypass unnecessary steps in his brewing procedure. What’s more, a stainless steel fermenter is the type of piece that is meant to last a lifetime, making it a terrific investment for those who are serious about creating the very best brews possible.

A Good Stainless Steel Conical Fermenter Is More Sanitary

Even a small amount of foreign bacteria can ruin an otherwise delectable batch of homebrew once it’s allowed to introduce itself to the mix. A stainless steel conical fermenter worth investing in has the added advantage of promoting sanitation when it comes to your homebrewing projects and eliminating foreign bacteria. Lesser quality fermenters involve welding and seams that can trap bacteria and contribute to the frustrating contamination of your product. However, a properly made stainless steel conical fermenter is completely weld-free, keeping bacteria out of the mix altogether and preserving the integrity of all your precious brews.

A Stainless Steel Conical Fermenter Is More Durable

When it comes to standing up against wear and tear, as well as the ravages of time, you just can’t beat stainless steel. It’s more resistant to dents, scratches, dings, and blemishes than aluminum, its closest competitor. It’s also the type of material that can hold up to the use of industrial-grade cleaners that do the best job at promoting sanitary conditions. This is a piece of equipment that is truly built to last. Not only will you most likely be able to take advantage of its usefulness for the whole of your lifetime, but you will be able to pass it down to your children and grandchildren should they turn out to be interested in homebrewing as well.

Experts in the field of homebrewing tend to agree that using a conical fermenter is one of the first things a serious homebrewer should do if they truly decide to become serious about their craft. Consider adding one to your collection and find out what a difference it makes in the quality of your brew.

Kegging Systems: A Beginner’s Guide

2010-09-24T14:08:13Z

There comes a time in every homebrewer’s life when he finds he’s made the jump from novice to expert. At that time, not only has his skill improved and his palette become more discerning, but he may also find that he’s ready to upgrade some of his equipment to better fit his changing needs. Kegging systems are among the first big purchases a seasoned homebrewer decides to make. They are also among the most useful items any serious homebrewer will ever consider. Kegging systems aren’t just cool accessories to add to your home bar or game room. They also take the guesswork and the tedium out of many stages of the beermaking process, especially once you reach the point where you’re brewing often and in large amounts.

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Kegging systems streamline your brewing process.

Once you reach the point where you’re brewing several gallons of beer or ale at a time, it’s probably time to think more seriously about investing in a kegging system. Cleaning and sterilizing enough bottles to store all your beer can become a real chore at this point, as can the bottling process itself. Why not save bottles for gifting or for containing specialty beers that you may only be in the habit of drinking once in a while?

Try a 5-gallon keg for your personal home supply instead. Not only will you always have a lion’s share of fresh, cold beer on tap at all times to enjoy with your guests and loved ones, but you’ll eliminate the need for both the priming process and the bottling process. Your keg takes care of both by force-carbonating your beer, as well as storing it in bulk. No more annoying bottles to deal with each and every time you brew. No more inconsistencies in the carbonation level of your beer.

Which kegging systems best fit your needs?

Although there are many kegging systems available on the market, it’s important that you realize that quality is key before you buy. The great majority of homebrewers prefer stainless steel Cornelius kegs for their kegging needs. Cornelius has been a big name in the restaurant and pub business for ages when it comes to dispensing beers, sodas, and other carbonated beverages. Brewers everywhere have learned that they can also trust it to keep their homemade brews fresh, tasty, and clear from the first glass to the last. Cornelius and its close competitors typically produce kegs in 3-gallon or 5-gallon sizes. It’s up to you to decide which size would best fit your batch size and available storage space.

What else do I need to purchase in tandem with my kegging systems?

Most kegging systems come complete with not only the keg, but also the necessary CO2 tank, the tubing for dispensing beer, the connectors, the tap, and so forth. However, it is always advisable to consider buying a separate refrigerator large enough to store your keg to make sure your fresh beer is always perfectly chilled and ready to drink. Overall, a homebrewer can expect to spend several hundred dollars on his choice of kegging systems and a refrigerator, but most consider it a worthwhile investment. It improves the quality of your product by leaps and bounds while increasing convenience a great deal. Why not give one a try yourself and see what a difference it makes in your beer?

Choosing The Right All Grain Brewing Recipes

2010-08-23T12:20:11Z

When you start with all grain brewing you need a good recipe, there a literally hundreds of all grain brewing recipes that you can choose from. It is important that you choose the right one because you do want your first all grain brew to be delicious. The best thing you can do is ask a experienced brewer, your own home brew supplier for instance. But when you need one right now, we can give you one recipe in particular that is really excellent!

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This is one of the best all grain brewing recipes by far. I found it on the Brewery Lane website a few years back and it is still my favorite. You will need:

1/2 oz Goldings Hop cones (flavoring)

1/4 oz Goldings Hop Pellets (finishing)

3/4 oz of Goldings Hop Pellets (bittering)

5 lbs of 2-row Canadian malted barley

1 tsp of Burton Salts

1 cup of crystal malt

3/4 lbs of sugar

2 packets of dry ale yeast

Always use good and proper cleaned all grain home brewing equipment. All that is further more needed in the producing of this all grain beer recipe is by using a step mash, and after that sparge and also add the Burton salts to the wort. This blend must be taken to a boil after which the bittering hops have to be included. This mixture ought to be boiled for approximately one hour, and then the flavoring hops, then boil for an additional ten minutes approximately. To finish off merely add the sugar, boil for around five more minutes, switch off the heat, and force cool by using a plate wort chiller. Next the yeast needs to be re-hydrated and also put into the aerated wort. Ferment as normal. Spg. 1.040. So, here you've got one really good all grain brewing recipe, that you can try out. And I guarantee it will be one of the best you have tasted.

When you get some more experience you can even make your own recipes, you just need to keep in mind that there are some basic ingredients you will always need to use. To get some ideas you can look at some other all grain brewing recipes online. There are many folks that look on the poplar brewing forums and some of my all time favorites are found there. So give it a try and have fun brewing.

Why Plastic Beer Bottles Are A Good Choice

2010-07-05T09:45:59Z

For people that love creating home brews in the comfort of their own home, nothing makes them happier than having the right type of homebrew bottles to create their home brew creations. And plastic beer bottles are the best choice you can make. Having the right plastic beer bottles can make or break a home brewed beer, causing frustration if the wrong bottles are chosen. There are many reasons why choosing plastic beer bottles is important to make your home brewing creations a success, so the choice that is made should be carefully considered before making a final decision.

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Controlling the Temperature

Choosing the right type of plastic beer bottles for your home brewing needs is very important because the right bottles can control the temperature that the home brew is being stored at. For most types of home brewing, keeping the home brew ingredients at a consistent temperature is very important to the quality of the home brew because it inhibits the growth of foreign agents within the brew and helps the brew maintain its color.

Some of the less expensive types of home brew bottle are made from thin glass that is not very effective at controlling the temperature of the home brew. This can cause items to cool too quickly or allow too much light within the bottle which can ruin the brew that has been created. That is why plastic beer bottles are colored and make a much better choice. Many cases of bacterial and viral intestinal conditions are caused by home brew being improperly stored or cooled.

Ease to Sterilize

Some types of home plastic beer bottles are much easier to sterilize than others, so you may want to consider purchasing a type of plastic beer bottles that are simple and quick to sterilize. There are some different types of plastic beer bottles available but the consumer must be careful to choose a type that would be best for the use they intend to use it for. It is also important to choose a type of plastic beer bottles that is thick enough and that it will not be easily damaged during storage.

The type of plastic beer bottles we recommend are considered to be best for use with home brewing equipment because they are designed to be easily sterilized and keep the brew at the proper temperature to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Making Home Brew Tips

2010-07-01T11:06:26Z

Making home brew is not as difficult as some people make it out to be. In fact you can make it as difficult as you like, but making home brew is not going o take up the entire day. Here are some of the most common tips that can help you making home brew for yourselves and your families.

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Making Home Brew Tip 1 - Choose Your Ingredients Wisely

In many cases, the easiest way of making home brew is to take a brew that you currently enjoy and change the ingredients that are present in the brew to make the brew easier to create. For example, if one of the ingredients in the home brew needs preparation before adding it to the brew mixture, the person may be able to find the ingredient in a store already prepared in the manner that it needs before being added to the brew. This allows the person to save a great deal of time in the preparation of the home brew and the end result will taste very close to how the recipe should taste at completion.

There are certain ingredients that work better for making home brew than others, especially when it comes to creating a particular flavor. It is very important for you to choose the right ingredient for the home brew and look up which ones will work well and which ones are difficult to use for beginners. The ingredients that are considered to be good for making home brews in their natural state will often be listed on websites giving tips on making home brew to help the person improve their creations.

Making Home Brew Tip 2 - Use The Right Brewing Techniques

Many home brews fail because, although the person is choosing home brew ingredients, they are not brewing in a way that allows it to retain its best properties. Home brewing is not difficult to accomplish, it just requires the changing of some common techniques that many people do not even think about. By changing the way that you choose to use the home brew system, you can make almost any ingredient combination a success for making home brew.

One of the biggest things to remember about making home brew is that the additional ingredients that are used to flavor the brew can alter the brew in different ways. It is best to avoid using ingredients and techniques that you are not sure of if you are making home brew because these items can actually change the brew while it is brewing. Many of the people that are routinely making home brew find that certain techniques work the best for them when making home brew. And you can learn from them on online websites and forums.

Brewing Lager Beer A Great Activity

2010-06-24T12:24:03Z

Brewing technology changed considerably over the centuries and even today varies from brewery to brewery. But, in general, almost all beers contain four main ingredients: barley, hops, water, and yeast. It does not matter if you are brewing lager beer, ale or something else you almost always can divide the brewing process into for steps: malting, preparation of the wort, fermentation, and maturation.

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Brewing Lager Beer: Malting

During this stage, barley is sorted, weighed, and purified of foreign matter. Afterward, it is steeped in water, a necessity if the barley is to germinate. The germination takes between five and seven days at a temperature of about 58 degrees Fahrenheit [14°C]. The end product of this process is green malt, which is transported to special ovens for kilning, a drying procedure. The moisture in the green malt is reduced to between 2 and 5 percent to stop the germination. After kilning, the sprouts are removed from the malt, and the malt is milled. It is then ready for the next step.

Brewing Lager Beer in the factory Preparation of the wort.

The milled malt is mixed with water to produce mash, which is then gradually heated. At certain temperatures the enzymes start to convert starches into simple sugars. This step lasts more than four hours and produces the wort, which is then filtered to remove impurities. Next comes the boiling process, which arrests the activity of enzymes. During the boiling, hops are added to the wort to provide the typical bitterness of beer. After some two hours of boiling, the wort is cooled to the required temperature.

Brewing Lager Beer in the factory: Fermentation.

This is probably the most important stage of the Brewing Lager Beer process. Simple sugars contained in the wort are, by means of the yeast, converted to alcohol and carbon dioxide. The duration, one week at the most, and the temperature of the process depend on the type of beer, ale or lager, being produced. The so-called green beer is then transferred into tanks in a lagering cellar to mature.

Brewing Lager Beer in the factory: Maturation.

During this stage, beer acquires its typical taste and aroma; released carbon dioxide also gives the beer its sparkle. Beer matures during a period that can range from three weeks to a few months, depending on the type of beer. Finally, the finished beer is packaged into casks or bottles and is ready to be sent out to its final destination, perhaps eventually reaching your table! But which type of beer would you like to try?

Brewing Lager Beer Yourself

There are many different beers and they have different procedures of being fermented. When you are brewing lager beer, you need to put in a lot of time and effort. If you are going to take the chance of experiencing brewing lager beer at home, you will experience an enjoyment in drinking your own home made drinks from brewing lager beer.