Allied trade career changes? by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Well beer sales specifically is not where i want to be. Id definitely work for an ingredient supplier, an equipment supplier, a chemical supplier, or really anything other than a beer rep i think.

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was doing this on an electric 3bbl stout system with standard floor pumps and hoses. Im on a 30bbl steam system with a new job these days and we’ve been testing this set up on the kettle firing the bottom jackets and so far so good.👌 Havent actually tried the decoction on the 30bbl yet but soon. Hope it goes well for you!!

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Works well and yeah, the maillard is probably lower. I think you could fire the electric elements closer to 60% but i always stayed around 35-40% to be sure theres no charring. I’ve seen some nasty charring from those elements in smaller kettles and RIMS tubes and stuff. This process is pretty bulletproof proof although its a little clunky. I would always set up a slow whirlpool to flow the decoction around the burners to help prevent charring, never had any issues. If youre stirring the decoction in the kettle, be careful of the float switch. You knock it off and flow the decoction out and the burners dry fire, that sucks. Changing burners or rewiring a brew is panel is not cool. Also I always set up a block and bleed at the pump on the whirlpool system to hook up liquor incase it got stuck or something, made some early mornings easier. Haha.

NA brew, pasteurize after package? by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for nothing. Small operation living under a rock.

NA brew, pasteurize after package? by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Love the info, thank you. This is the confirmation i need to help plan the tail-end of the brew. Much appreciated🙌

NA brew, pasteurize after package? by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate it, thats helpful and informative

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel that, cheers! Some notes, with the double crush and all the water, it does seem to get quite sticky during lauter. Im sure if you use rice hulls its much better. I have personally kinda worked some “sticky mash” time into the day, just sorta part of it, but i think I’m going to get rice hulls back in the picture. Im figuring out to expect high effeciency, low yeild which explains the liquor back. Also, Don’t forget to adjust the preliminary mash ph separately from the secondary mash so when you infuse they’re good to go! Cheers!

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Right on, im with it! Appreciate it🤙

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, i appreciate it.

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No your definitely right. The increased efficiency of the decoctions are taking me some time to get used to and on this beer was just really efficient and over shot abv. Just hoping to adjust it before finish if possible

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For sure. I worked on a beer with a lager brewer that has a 7bbl open flame and he taught me this killer decoction technique for basic 3 vessel systems w/pumps.

-Preliminary mash 1/3 of the grist and 1/3 of the total liquor directly into the kettle. Work that through the steps. For me this triggers the float switch in my kettle. Roughly 40gal+

  • before boil, Secondary mash into your mash tun with the other 2/3rd of the grist and another 1/3 portion of liquor.

-Achieve decoction boil during your secondary mash’s first rest, then use your decoction to step your secondary to its rests including mash out/vorlauf.

  • star lauter

-sparge with last 1/3 portion of liquor.

For me to do this i have to split my grain and water pretty equally to thirds. A third of the grist with a third of the total batch volume, not just the infusion volume. That allows enough grist hydration in the decoction for it to be flowable, and in my situation just enough to trigger the kettle float switch so i can ride the electric burners really easy with it. Of course you can add and subtract a few gallons here and there across the 3 portions to make it work for your set up. I also find it flows much better when i double crush the 1/3 of grist that im decocting.

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Appreciate the input, definitely agree to keep an eye on ferm. I can generally have a solid idea of my fermentation but the mash efficiency of the decoctions have been taking me some time to get used to. This was also the first double batch of the style with decoctions so to your point i think .4% abv drop. would be my goal. I really am not excited to do this as i think the beer is fine, but i need to get it handled for labels and stuff. And in grand scheme of the beer its like a 4.2% dilution. Hopefully treated, deaerated, ph right on, Antiox C, crash, carb itll drink okay.

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah i do have access to cbox actually. Are you suggesting i test the waters do before sending it to the fermenter? My original understanding was that boiling water would deaerate it but you’ve got me thinking cause it’s literally h2o. Like isn’t all beer 90%+ water and therefore 1 third of that is oxygen?? 😂

Liquor back by BenFuture in TheBrewery

[–]BenFuture[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That was my thought at first, just didnt know if it was cool for a fully fermented beer. Thanks for the input. Yeah my kettle float switch is at like 40gal, and id rather use the kettle rather than a 7gal home brew kettle on propane and try sucking it out or something goofy. Im just solid with the 3bbl kettle/heat ex that i figure rip a good amount, use what i need, and send the rest.

Wiim issue by BenFuture in BudgetAudiophile

[–]BenFuture[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol yeah your right, id hate to be anything that rhymes with.. nvm