Advice: how to maximize brewing for $5,000

[shark]

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Hi all,
here's a hypothetical for you. Say you're given a $5000 grant and you want to build the most effective, efficient way to maximize homebrewing. How do you do it?

I feel like going electric could be the answer. 5 gal, 10 gal, 20 gal batches?

The Kegging equipment and kegerator definitely come into play.


What do you think? How would you spend $5K?

[Castermmt]

Your at the right place. $5000 should be very close to what is needed to build you everything you need. Now you will need to read Kal's entire blog Step by Step by clicking the heading on this page.

[kal]

See this FAQ question for cost breakdown:

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/FAQ#How_much_will_it_cost_me_to_build_a_brewery_like_this_

There's no "one" correct batch size. It depends on you. Nobody else can answer that. See here:

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/FAQ#How_much_beer_can_you_make_with_your_setup__What_size_kettles_should_I_buy_

A lot depends on what you mean by "maximize brewing". That's not really something that can be quantified. Are you looking to make the best quality beer possible? Are you looking at making the most beer possible for the lowest price (regardless of consistency/quality)? Or something else?

If cost is an overriding priority you can brew all grain for less than $100. Get a turkey frier on sale, mash in a $2 foam cooler, ferment in a plastic bucket, reuse beer bottles. Not much too it. People were making beer 10,000 years ago in clay pots with zero technology so anyone can make it.

Cost was the lowest priority in my design (within reason). Read more here as to what my criteria were with the design I documented on this site:

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/FAQ#What_were_your_main_criteria_in_designing_The_Electric_Brewery_

Tell us what your priorities are and people can help.

Good luck!

Kal

[kal]

See this FAQ question for cost breakdown:

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/FAQ#How_much_will_it_cost_me_to_build_a_brewery_like_this_

There's no "one" correct batch size. It depends on you. Nobody else can answer that. See here:

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/FAQ#How_much_beer_can_you_make_with_your_setup__What_size_kettles_should_I_buy_

A lot depends on what you mean by "maximize brewing". That's not really something that can be quantified. Are you looking to make the best quality beer possible? Are you looking at making the most beer possible for the lowest price (regardless of consistency/quality)? Or something else?

If cost is an overriding priority you can brew all grain for less than $100. Get a turkey frier on sale, mash in a $2 foam cooler, ferment in a plastic bucket, reuse beer bottles. Not much too it. People were making beer 10,000 years ago in clay pots with zero technology so anyone can make it.

Cost was the lowest priority in my design (within reason). Read more here as to what my criteria were with the design I documented on this site:

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/FAQ#What_were_your_main_criteria_in_designing_The_Electric_Brewery_

Tell us what your priorities are and people can help.

Good luck!

Kal

[shark]

I didn't see those links. Very helpful. Thanks