Beer Infinity Beer, Brewing & Beyond
In this series of articles examining homebrewing with electric we have looked at BIAB (Brew In A Bag) in Part 1, HERMS (Heat Exchange Recirculating Mash System) in Part 2, RIMS (Recirculating Infusion Mash System) in Part 3, and conversion possibilities for our existing 3-tier Sanke keg-based system in Part 4.
In this last article we are going to see how each of the options meet our initial requirements and pull together some of the findings into a summary…
Results
Back in Part 1 of this series of articles a set of requirements was set which I was hoping an electric brewing system could fulfill, below they are listed with an additional ‘Value’ criteria and associated weighting ranging from 5 (most important) to 1 (least important) because they do not all carry the same importance for me:
a – Ability to brew throughout the winter = 5
b – Ease of cleaning = 1
c – Worthwhile batch sizes = 2
d – Control of brewing process = 4
e – Value for money = 3
Each solution will be scored from 0-3 points as follows:
0 – does not satisfy the requirement at all.
1 – partly satisfies the requirement.
2 – mostly satisfies the requirement.
3 – fully satisfies the requirement.
Requirement ‘e’ (Value for money) will be scored as follows based on the solution cost:
0 – $3000+
1 – $2000 to $2999
2 – $1000 to $1999
3 – under $1000
Below is a grid showing each system together with the cost for a 10 gallon version and the associated score, weighting and total.
| System | Type | Cost | Score | Weighting | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Gravity | BIAB | $1095 | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 2* | 1 | 2 | ||
| c) batch size | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| d) control | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||
| e) value | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Final Score | 33/45 | ||||
| Brew Boss | BIAB | $1350 | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 2* | 1 | 2 | ||
| c) batch size | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| d) control | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||
| e) value | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Final Score | 37/45 | ||||
| High Gravity | HERMS | $2450 | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| c) batch size | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| d) control | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||
| e) value | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Final Score | 29/45 | ||||
| Blichmann | RIMS | $2320 | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| c) batch size | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| d) control | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||
| e) value | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Final Score | 33/45 | ||||
| Braumeister | RIMS | $2950 (13 gal) | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 2* | 1 | 2 | ||
| c) batch size | 2** | 2 | 4 | ||
| d) control | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||
| e) value | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Final Score | 32/45 | ||||
| Zymatic | RIMS | $1699 (2.5 gal) | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 3 | 1 | 3 | ||
| c) batch size | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| d) control | 3 | 4 | 12 | ||
| e) value | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Final Score | 36/45 | ||||
| Conversion | BIAB | $775 (High Gravity controller) | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 2* | 1 | 2 | ||
| c) batch size | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| d) control | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||
| e) value | 3 | 3 | 9 | ||
| Final Score | 36/45 | ||||
| Conversion | BIAB | $945 (Brew Boss controller) | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 2* | 1 | 2 | ||
| c) batch size | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| d) control | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||
| e) value | 3 | 3 | 9 | ||
| Final Score | 40/45 | ||||
| Conversion | HERMS | $1605 | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| c) batch size | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| d) control | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||
| e) value | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Final Score | 32/45 | ||||
| Conversion | RIMS | $695 (High Gravity controller) | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| c) batch size | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| d) control | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||
| e) value | 3 | 3 | 9 | ||
| Final Score | 35/45 | ||||
| Conversion | RIMS | $865 (Brew Boss controller) | |||
| a) winter brewing | 3 | 5 | 15 | ||
| b) cleaning | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| c) batch size | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||
| d) control | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||
| e) value | 3 | 3 | 9 | ||
| Final Score | 39/45 | ||||
* single vessel so reduces cleaning.
** not a full score due to the limited gravity of the wort that can be made.
Summary
The fundamental choice seems to be which approach would make most sense out of the following:
- BIAB – this is probably the easiest and cheapest solution but does have some draw-backs including no ability to do a decoction mash that is useful for producing some advanced beers such as German Lagers e.g. Doppelbocks. Also there is the potential need to replace meshed bags if, or when, they wear out unless a lifetime ‘bag’ is purchased as per our examples. Both of the commercial examples we looked at retail for around $1095 to $1350 for 10 gal batch systems.
- HERMS – this is certainly the most complex and the most expensive solution but is also probably the most versatile. It would allow for caramelizing the initial run-offs of the mash into the kettle to produce German lagers whilst avoiding added color or caramelization of the recirculating mash due to indirect heat which would be important when producing light beers. The example we looked at retails at around $2450 for a 10 gal batch system but could cost more depending on the options selected.
- RIMS – this is the most common approach taken by commercial offerings that try to provide a system with plenty of functionality and a small footprint but at an affordable price without stepping up to full blown three vessel HERMS brewing systems. The prices vary from $1699 for the 2.5 gal PicoBrew Zymatic ($1799 including Corny keg), through $1995 for the 5 gal Speidel Braumeister ($2950 for 13 gal), to $2025 for the 5 gal Blichmann BrewEasy ($2320 for 10 gal).
- Conversion – this approach varies depending on which of the above three brewing solutions is preferred. Estimated starting costs range from $695 (RIMS) and $775 (BIAB) through to $1605 (HERMS) with the reduced costs being largely due to the reuse of Sanke kegs rather than buying new brewing vessels. This approach could also allow upgrading from BIAB, through RIMS to HERMS depending on the initial choice of controller.
Note: all prices are excluding taxes and shipping.
These are the ranked results of how the systems meet the requirements (where there is a draw the lower cost option is listed above the other):
- 40 – Conversion BIAB (Brew Boss controller) = $945
- 39 – Conversion RIMS (Brew Boss controller) = $865
- 37 – Brew Boss BIAB = $1350
- 36 – Conversion BIAB (High Gravity controller) = $775
- 36 – Zymatic RIMS = $1699
- 35 – Conversion RIMS (High Gravity controller) = $695
- 33 – High Gravity BIAB = $1095
- 33 – Blichmann RIMS = $2320
- 32 – Conversion HERMS = $1605
- 32 – Braumeister RIMS = $2950
- 29 – High Gravity HERMS = $2450
There are other aspects of brewing inside that still need considering such as ventilation i.e. steam being produced when brewing indoors, but given the research on the options available for brewing systems which of the approaches should I pursue further in order to be able to brew inside this winter?
The level of automation varied considerably and with further research I am sure some of the more manual systems could be automated but this would no doubt come at a cost. I definitely like the controllability and flexibility of a HERMS system, especially the idea that the Heat Exchanger can have a dual purpose for not only heating the recirculating mash liquid but also to cool the wort after the boil without wasting a load of water but all of this comes at a dollar cost and there is still a three vessel system that needs cleaning plus will take up space in my basement laundry room.
The way ahead that probably makes most sense is to go for a system that can evolve so I will most likely revert back to a simpler way of brewing then increase the complexity as needed. What this means is to start off indoors with an Electric BIAB setup then evolve the system through RIMS and maybe eventually to a full blown HERMS system. One decision that needs to be made, and to get right first time, is which controller to go with as this is the most expensive piece of equipment?
The High Gravity controllers have very clear explanations and videos about them on the web site and also look easy to use, the downside is that they are semi-automated and still require manual intervention especially if doing a step-mash.
The Brew Boss controller has full automation which ticks one of the key requirements boxes but is currently restricted by only handling one temperature probe at a time.
Having exchanged a number of emails with Darin at Brew Boss there are a number of enhancements coming up soon that would suggest their controller could cover all three types of systems.
Carpenters always say “measure twice, cut once” and this piece of advice can be applied to a number of decisions so before I commit to purchasing the appropriate electric brewing solution that will allow me to escape the cold weather this winter I will pause, re-read some comments, emails and web pages, plus have some more conversations and then make my move. Keep an eye out for more articles about how I get on…
This was the last part in this series of articles looking at ‘How viable is Electric Brewing?’, I hope you have enjoyed them and if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments on this article I’d really like to hear your thoughts as I have a major decision to make here!
