- This topic has 16 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 5 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Hello there:
Figure its time I finally get around to introducing myself and showing what I have been up to. A friend introduced me to home brewing about 3 years ago in his backyard and just after the first couple brew days I was hooked. I talked to many friends that were into home brewing and asked them what was one of their biggest regrets, they said not buying the better equipment up front instead of upgrading multiple times over the years. Well, I took that to hart and went a bit overboard. What was to be a 6 month project turned into 3 years in the making and I now have an operational system. 12/31/2021 the wife and I attempted our very first brew at home. Problem is, its now been about 2 years since I was able to brew anything due to life, world and craziness and it seems I have forgotten a lot. I’m still very new to this so no doubt I have a lot to learn.
I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty and am quite good at figuring out difficult problems, mechanical, electrical, software, etc. My background is in information systems so attention to detail and problem solving is a lot of what I do all day long. (also a big DIY guy) I plan on doing this for quite a while and I’m finally getting to a point where a lot of my larger projects are being wrapped up so I can start to play a little more.
So with that, I introduce the AFT Brewery *About F…. Time”
Dave
Attachments:
Really Nice setup, David.
I hope you can make it to our meetings. They are highly secretive, look for the chalk mark on the fire hydrant on 58th and independence or just make sure you are on Evan’s email blast.
Very impressive, and good job taking the advice and doing it right the first time. I started in college, and there was no chance of buying good equipment. Thrifted stock pots and a cooler mash tun for the hot side, and 5 gallon water cooler jugs stolen from various campus offices for cold side. I finally upgraded to my electric system and ss fermenters during covid lockdown after I dropped a glass carboy filled with finished wort. So that leads to my next question: what are you using for fermenting? It looks like you have a sweet 3-vessel brew system. Did you go for a legit unitank? Glycol chiller? Fermentation chamber? What about serving—-did you build a draft system as well or are you bottling? I’m fascinated to talk to folks who had the resources and space to start out with proper equipment, because I can only imagine what I would have done if I knew then what I know now…
Come to a meeting sometime (next Wednesday) and it’s ok if you don’t have beer to bring yet. First mtg is free. You’ll definitely get quality feedback!
Evan—-David has gotten his 3-vessel electric system up and running. Kinda makes you think, doesn’t it.
Dave,
Welcome to OTMP. We would love to meet you and share beers with you at a meeting. Totally cool setup you have there. We are really big on the face to face type situations and a little less on the virtual in person connections. Check out the newsletter to see if our next meeting might fit your schedule.
OTMP
Welcome Dave. Very nice looking setup there.
I’m sure Evan can relate to the 6 months –> 3 years 🙂
Look forward to seeing you at a future meeting!
No, I do things the hardest ways, I might be slightly retarded, but please don’t make fun of me for it. It is a learning curve, me vs. the general concensus on how to do things. I would also like to add being stubborn is a positive trait.
Thanks guys, its been a lot of work but finally on the road to making beer! Looking forward to meeting you on the 19th. If someone could send me the super secret location information I’ll be sure to attend. (or I’ll be standing at the corner of 58th & Independence with a sign – lol)
For what ever reason my initial post didn’t allow the second photo to load, I’ll attach it here. This should help answer the fermentation question along with the serving part – I have two Brewtech SS conical fermenters – one 14 Gallon and one Half Barrel both with the FTS Glycol system. I have a glycol chiller that I have attach to both. I have a staging/conditioning keezer downstairs and another beer fridge upstairs in the garage for serving via keg. I also have a couple of glass carboys I’m going to play with just for fun, one is 5 gallons, the other is 6. I’m sticking to kegging for now, I have 8 5 gallon torpedo’s to fill up. Next brew day I have scheduled is going to be on the 23rd. Going to brew a Kolsch.
My first brew, a Sweet Stout seems to be stuck at 1.035 SG so I just transferred it to the glass carboy and re-pitched yeast this morning to see if I can get it to finish out. Hoping to get to 1.020 SG. Started at 1.066 so not sure why it stalled.
Attachments:
I just got my CIP setup built out for the fermenters this last week. Also received the remaining parts to have a 3 set of keg washers, one for PBW, Water rinse and then Saniclean rinse. I’ve been working on the little details now of the cleanup and such to make life easier. Looking at having a couple TC fittings added to my FTS lids so I can drop the CIP ball in.
Attachments:
Dave, you can always just click the “Club News” button on the top of the site, the newsletters are archived there. I just added your email to the club email list. Hope to see you next week!
Awesome, I did find that chalk mark 😉 I have added the address info to my calendar event. Looking forward to meeting everyone.
Well, with the change to holding the event outside and my utter dislike of cold weather I think I will defer to the next meeting. I Look forward to meeting you all then.
With the weather dropping into the mid 20s now during meeting time, I’m also going to hold off this month.
If cases start dropping drastically, we could probably do a smaller meetup at a brewery. Or if the weather gets into the 50s into the evening later this month, we could sit outside somewhere and enjoy some beers before then. Otherwise, see you soon!
- The forum ‘General Chat’ is closed to new topics and replies.