CptCaveman
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2018
- Messages
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<tl;dr>
What are the key differences in terms of final product, between a Hopcat/Ace Microbrewery system and a three-vessel system? Why would I buy one over the other? What re the pros/cons of each?
</tl;dr>
Hi folks,
I have been helping a friend with a couple of brews and am going to invest in my own setup.
There are two avenues that are appealing to me at this point. One would be an electric setup using an Klarstein/Ace/Hopcat microbrewery the other that appeals to be is a system such as this 3 vessel system: https://powellbrewing.co.uk/product/50ltr-microbrewery/
What I like about the automated electric system is that you can program the temperature steps but where it falls down for me is in the sparging. It seems difficult to get a proper rinse going on because the wort stays put. Unless you were to combine it with other vessels, but then the value would start to diminish.
With the three vessel system, I like the flexibility and the clean sequencing it allows - but with the gas burners, temperature control wouldn't be as precise, the mash tun isn't heated and it would be difficult to perform a stepped temperature mash.
What I lack is the experience to know what the relative impact of these various factors is. For example, would I be precluded from brewing various styles without the ability to do a proper sparge etc.
In particular, I wonder could people provide opinions on the following:
1. How important is it to have a clean sparging process and what is the impact on the beer and what beers could I not brew without it? By a clean sparge I mean that the mash is truly rinsed with hot water coming in one end and the wort going out the other (this would seem to imply the need for 3 vessels).
2. What is the added value of being able to perform a stepped mash?
Something I should mention is that I live in the south of France - I would like to be able to brew a wide variety of styles.
Thanks in advance.
What are the key differences in terms of final product, between a Hopcat/Ace Microbrewery system and a three-vessel system? Why would I buy one over the other? What re the pros/cons of each?
</tl;dr>
Hi folks,
I have been helping a friend with a couple of brews and am going to invest in my own setup.
There are two avenues that are appealing to me at this point. One would be an electric setup using an Klarstein/Ace/Hopcat microbrewery the other that appeals to be is a system such as this 3 vessel system: https://powellbrewing.co.uk/product/50ltr-microbrewery/
What I like about the automated electric system is that you can program the temperature steps but where it falls down for me is in the sparging. It seems difficult to get a proper rinse going on because the wort stays put. Unless you were to combine it with other vessels, but then the value would start to diminish.
With the three vessel system, I like the flexibility and the clean sequencing it allows - but with the gas burners, temperature control wouldn't be as precise, the mash tun isn't heated and it would be difficult to perform a stepped temperature mash.
What I lack is the experience to know what the relative impact of these various factors is. For example, would I be precluded from brewing various styles without the ability to do a proper sparge etc.
In particular, I wonder could people provide opinions on the following:
1. How important is it to have a clean sparging process and what is the impact on the beer and what beers could I not brew without it? By a clean sparge I mean that the mash is truly rinsed with hot water coming in one end and the wort going out the other (this would seem to imply the need for 3 vessels).
2. What is the added value of being able to perform a stepped mash?
Something I should mention is that I live in the south of France - I would like to be able to brew a wide variety of styles.
Thanks in advance.
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