Thoughts on buying a Hopcat or Klarstein Brewing thingy

[Elecrafter]

I have been looking at these beer making thingy's like the Hopcat, and the Klarstein etc.

I am sure there is someone here who can tell me what to get, and just as important, what to avoid. As they are a fairly large investment.
I really am a novice when it comes to something like that.

I don't have any large heating vessels and make my mashes in a 60L plastic barrel. But I understand that Grain beer needs a lot more work, heating, boiling and sparging.

So can someone give me a quick rundown on the ins and outs of this sort of operation. Or even alternative ways of doing beer brewing (apart from Kits and tins etc).

Thanks in advance

Ele.

[Mash]

I can.

There are 2 price ranges. £500 ish and £1500 ish.

The big difference is build quality, the first group are thinner stainless and do not lend themselves to modifications. The elements are bonded, so failure is a total unit right off. They all work roughly the same - by pumping the water up and over the grain bed.

Klarstein is good. There are a few models in the range. Monk brew also looks very good. Pump is a must have.

Tbh I bought used braumeister 20 for £800, years ago (grey controller) before these new upstarts appeared I recommend it. But not a new one.
These pump wort up through the grain bed and not over the top to drain. This does have its advantages and this unit is component built & everthing is replaceable and modifications abound.

Do you want to make beer or whiskey?

I ask 'cos beer does take a while. Classically 6 hours (known as "brewday") so the options are go big (make double) or do it another way - 1hr per day over 3 days, but not all units support this.

So what you want to does influence your purchase.

[myles]

Just as an alternative option to think about I use a "Mash in a bag" system. It is more labour intensive than a machine, but it does work.

I have a 160 litre open top drum that I use as a Mash tun with a big (200 litre size) BIAB bag in it.

I am doing about 12 kg grain batches for beer for a 55 litre pre-boil. I am doing multi step mashes. After the initial strike, I add boiling water in 5 litre doses to step up the temperature. I tend to finish off by injecting steam as the boiling water tends to get me to about 65 degrees.

After the mash I lift the grain bag out with a pulley and transfer the wort to a gas heated pot for the boil.

It is more time consuming than putting it in a machine - but it does work.

[Easydrinker]

Look here:
https://www.geterbrewed.com/all-in-one-brewing-systems/

I have a 30 litre Klarstein and over the last two years have made about 80-100 25-30 ish' litre beer brews in it.
And 5 25Kg sacks of distilling grain have been transformed to whisky, after stillin'.
No probs.

If I were buying anew, with the knowledge gained, I would have a BrewMonk Titan.
Cheap as chips.
Work it hard while under warranty.
Some folk want ultra smart, link it to the web/phone type stuff, I prefer stand alone machines, designed to do simpler tasks.
Just my thoughts.

Robert.

[Mash]

Here here. Simple machines that do the basics well. Why anyone needs to see their beer machine on a website beats me.

Another +1 for the brew monk.

[DorsetScott]

I think there are positives and negatives with all these devices.

I personally have a Brewzilla and have no issues with it.
I also modified it with help of members of this forum to add a voltage controller so it is also the boiler for my still.

I do concur with the others though, there are a lot of bells and whistles which are really of little use.

[Elecrafter]

Ah... I've done it now....... Well IT spoke to me, or it was an impulse buy. Just picked this up today. A Brewzilla. However it also had the Alcoengine Pot AND Reflux add ons, along with a couple of accessories. All for less than the new price of the Brewzilla itself. Its also the current 3.1.1 model, so not a bad price either.

Ele.

20210706_124931.jpg

[DorsetScott]

Nice!!!!

I have the alcoengine reflux but have never used it (long story) so would be interested to know how it works for you.

If you fancy modding the boiler for more control there is a thread on here will exactly how to do it.

[Easydrinker]

Ah... I've done it now....... Well IT spoke to me, or it was an impulse buy. Just picked this up today. A Brewzilla. However it also had the Alcoengine Pot AND Reflux add ons, along with a couple of accessories. All for less than the new price of the Brewzilla itself. Its also the current 3.1.1 model, so not a bad price either.

Ele.

20210706_124931.jpg

When is your Malt being delivered?
Get cracking!

Robert.

[Mash]

Good news. I don't think it will disappoint.

I would run it on water only first you will learn loads, test it, clean it up and de-stress the first proper run.

Happy days

Get some pale malt in bulk and away you go.

[Elecrafter]

Yes, need some malt. - Cheap Supplier suggestions please!

I like a std bitter eg Greene King IPA or similar. So what's the best all round malt, and a supplier for 25kg. Not yet got that sorted, but won't be buying in small lots.

Suggestions, and pointers to a basic brew recipe, as this is my first attempt at all grain.

Was going to boil it up, sterilise, and generally clean and play with it.
Got to make some bread this afternoon as just ran out.

But I'm working on it.
Recipes (detailed steps etc please) would be a good start.
Good yeasts, as only have Redstar DADY, and some Angel Yellow ATM.

Thanks in advance.

Ele.


EDIT:
This afternoon I have ordered some Marris Otter Malt, and some Rye Malt from Malt Miller (should be here tomorrow). I have about 10Kg of Barley, but I don't think its malted. So what can I do with that? As long as its drinkable, I'll give it a try.
Also suggestions on yeast, as I have limited choice ATM.

Ele.

[Easydrinker]

Responding to your yeast question only.
Buy some of this
https://www.geterbrewed.com/danstar-not ... east-500g/
Asssuming yhat you have a vac. packer and a fridge, this will last you years, even if you don't re-pitch, as I do.
it will save you a lot of money over the silly 11g size sachets.
You can make just about anything with this yeast, and it sticks itself to the bottom of the bottle like no other, for easy pouring bottle conditioned beers.

I buy just about all of my brewing needs from this site.
Highly recommended.

Robert

[Mash]

Good shout Robert about yeast.

If you have a 'brewers select' near you, they are defo worth a look.

I will dig out a recipe and my "plain English" instructions.

Are you bottling or kegging the beer... Just thinking ahead.

[Mash]

See new thread for instructions...

[gaza the instructor]

Ah... I've done it now....... Well IT spoke to me, or it was an impulse buy. Just picked this up today. A Brewzilla. However it also had the Alcoengine Pot AND Reflux add ons, along with a couple of accessories. All for less than the new price of the Brewzilla itself. Its also the current 3.1.1 model, so not a bad price either.

Ele.
OKAY spill the beans Ele, which site did you buy from please?
I have been waiting for these to come into stock again.
They are rated best in class and there were none in the country.

[DorsetScott]

Hey gaza, I noticed they are available on brewkegtap for pre-order the other day. They are receiving delivery in 4 days.
Angel homebrew probably the same as they are both official re-sellers.

[Elecrafter]

OK guys...

I got it off Fleabay, and it was only 60 miles away so easy to collect.
Came with AlcoEngine Pot and Reflux heads, which is good. (£225 worth alone)
Its second-hand, but like new, and is the 3.1.1 version so current version.

I'll look into that yeast. I think I need a fridge of my own, as I'm taking over and the wife doesn't like it, although she drinks my Rum without complaint!

I have a Vac packer, and am now re-vaccing my yeasts, Using the reusable vac bags which seem to work well.

Not heard of Brewers Select, so will look into that as well.

I'm itching to get started, but at the same time, I think I am going to take it slowly so I get things right.

Again, thanks for the pointers, links and suggestions.

Ele.


EDIT:
Ah A Brewers Select just 30 miles oop road! - Cheers guys

[Easydrinker]

Share and share alike in a partnership might be a good starting point?

Robert.

[Mash]

Brewers select will setup an account for serious home brewers. Collecting drops the sack price massively.

[Mash]

See new thread for instructions...

It's here..

viewtopic.php?t=1176

[gaza the instructor]

cheers DS.