Anyone regret not going bigger?

Joey · Joined: 10 Jan 2018 Posts: 13

I've never brewed anything bigger than a 5 gallon batch and am now considering the 20 gal kettles to make 10 gal. My biggest hesitation right now is, what if I want to start a nano-brewery later and need a 1BBL or 2BBL setup?

I see several posts on here with people asking about the minimum batch size in the 55 gallon kettles. It seems to be in the 10 gallon range (but I'm sure some variables get messed up like boil off rate).

Has anyone bought a small setup and later regretted it. Seems like the best option is to at least get the 50Amp panel. That would allow for 20gal kettles now with the option to upgrade kettles later (without having to buy a new panel).

I'm sure everyone thinks about starting a brewery and few people actually do, but just want to think ahead.

**kal** · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 9:56 pm Post subject:

Certainly buy big enough to make the batch sizes you want, but going from home consumption to a commercial brewery is a fairly large jump. I don't think you'd be able to do that easily without replacing the kettles. You'd also want to make sure to build/purchase our 50A control panel for 30+ gallons too. You can run it today with 1 heating element per kettle and later upgrade to more.

Kal

tmckinley80 · Joined: 18 Dec 2016 Posts: 18 Location: Huntsville, AL

I brew 5 gal batches as well with the intent to go bigger at some point, but right now five works for me to dial in my beer. Knowing I would go bigger later I bought the 50A 30+ system from Kal. I only use 1 element in the kettle and love the setup. Knowing I have the option to go bigger without having to buy another system gives me some peace. Like Kal suggested, I would highly recommend going bigger in the panel, and then later down the road if you want bigger pots, you have the option.

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 1:01 pm Post subject:

I brewed 5 gallon batches for many years. I was worried about bumping up to 10 gallon because I didn't think I would drink that much. I was correct that "I" don't but my friends sure do. I find it very nice to have the second 5 gallon keg waiting to be put on tap for each batch. Sometimes I hold it back and put something else on tap. I think as Kal said you will most likely upgrade to larger kettles if and when you decide to go pro. At that point you could just sell the 20 gallon kettles and roll that money into your 1 bbl system. There are always people on here looking for 20 gallon kettles, so it shouldn't be to hard to sell.

itsnotrequired · Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Posts: 177 Location: central wi

tough call. i debated between 10 gal and 20 gal kettles when setting up my brewery, glad i went with the 20. i can still do 5 gal batches but have the flexibility to make 10. 27 batches in and i have yet to make a 5 gal batch. if anything, i wish i would have gone with a 50a panel. i don't foresee doing back-to-back brews or moving up to a larger system but for an extra $150 or so, the 50a panel offers even more flexibility.

jumping up to 50 gal kettles for barrel batches is quite the leap. i probably dropped an extra $500 going with 20 gal kettles compared to 10 gal but going to 50 gal would be more like a $1700+ adder. that's a decent chunk of change for something that may never happen.

hbohnet · Joined: 22 Sep 2013 Posts: 33 Location: Canmore, AB

I went with 20 gal setup thinking 10 gal batches would be lots. I now make 12.5 gal batches and wish I could do 15+ gal. My two sons both have kegorators and hence the beer flows freely. If I were doing this over I would have went with a 30 gal boil kettle. With a 20 HLT, 20 MT, 30 BK can do anywhere from 10 to 20 gal batches. My two cents.

perogi · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 6:53 pm Post subject:

When I got my kit, there wasn't a bigger option. I'm debating getting a bigger system only if it would be so I could put two elements in HLT and BK. My basement is cold year-round and it makes the heating up process a bit slow (for my taste Smile

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dunnry · Joined: 10 Oct 2012 Posts: 43 Location: Strongsville, OH

ParadiseBrew · Joined: 09 Dec 2014 Posts: 83 Location: paradise, ca

I would not go any bigger for my setup. i love 20gal kettles and brewing the occasional 15gal batch but usually, it's 12.5gal. After two years + brewing on my electric system, i would still recommend putting two elements into the HLT. My water is ready to go before I can think of what to do next. Go 20's!!

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 1:26 pm Post subject:

Ozarks Mountain Brew · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:22 pm Post subject:

You have to think about beer fermenting and storage also not just brew kettles, I only have a 4 tap system so I'm limited to either bottling once those kegs are filled, then theirs carbonation, it’s a merry go round to brew too big on my set up and timing is everything

**kal** · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 6:20 pm Post subject:

Agreed.

And some beers keep longer / better than others. Something like a hop forward NEIPA I don't want to brew too much of as it's best when young/fresh.
Something like a lightly hopped lager on the other hand would be fine for a year or more.
Some other beers are best when cellared for years.

Kal