The Birth of a Brew Rig

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Jdl973
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The Birth of a Brew Rig

#1 Post by Jdl973 » Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:12 pm

It all started when I asked the lady behind the counter of the local brew shop if she new anyone who could weld stainless steel. I was getting tired of the picnic cooler mash tun. She said she did and took my number. Got a call from Swagman, talked for a while and he told me to bring my keg up to his shop. Once I saw his rig it was all over. After much begging and pleading, Swagman agreed to build me a rig.

The master working on the frame:

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Tops were put in:

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Base pluming and sides added:

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Test fitting the kegs. Note the "hot tub" for a liquor tank!

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Adding the CFC and water filtration system. I still can't believe he got that monster of a CFC to fit.

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Pump added:

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Hot liquor tank (aka, Hot Tub) finished. Now THAT is a probe!

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Sight glass for wort flow. Custom made.

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Mash tun plumbing

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Stir motor for the hot tub

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once it was all put together, Swagman ran it through Sea Trials to make sure everything worked. I had to brew at his shop with the system in front of all the Don's (no pressure there) before I could take the system home.

Once home, I had to take the entire system apart to sand and paint. Ugh!!! :(

Stripped down system

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All the parts. How does this go back together?
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Time to start sanding

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First of many coats of primer

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Frame is painted, now comes the hard part, putting it back together.

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Re-assembly of control unit

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Plumbing and pump installed

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Hooking up the Hot Tub

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All back together and it works (by the way Jason, you might want to turn the power switch to "ON" before you call for help)
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I can not tell you how lucky I am to have one of Swagman's rigs. He is truly a master craftsman. He has taught me so much about brewing the past year, is a master brewer, has been a good friend and is just a truly awesome guy. Just wanted to say thanks for all your hard work and artistry.

Jason
BEFORE THERE WAS MATHEMATICS, RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY OR CULTURE...THERE WAS BEER.

In Primary:............. None (how sad is that?)
In Secondary:..........None...see above
On Tap: ..........Barley Wine from 2006, BGSA from 2006...
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klickcue
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#2 Post by klickcue » Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:18 pm

A beautiful rig for sure that you are proud of. Swagman did an excellent job!

I have to ask -- Who does the Busch Lite belong to in the first picture? :oops: :shock: :twisted: :drunken:
Have Fun!

Chris
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meisel
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#3 Post by meisel » Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:53 pm

That rig is incredible! How hard is it to clean? I'm light years behind something like that but it never hurts to dream :occasion5:
The usefulness of opinion is itself matter of opinion.
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Jdl973
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#4 Post by Jdl973 » Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:15 pm

Chris - No comment.

Cleaning the system is very easy. Swagman's designed the system with a series of "dump" valves that lets you clean out each section. Flush the water from the hot liquor tank through each section, leave the all valves open and you are done...too easy. Now learning which valve turns on which path, now that was a bit of a learning curve.

Jason
BEFORE THERE WAS MATHEMATICS, RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY OR CULTURE...THERE WAS BEER.

In Primary:............. None (how sad is that?)
In Secondary:..........None...see above
On Tap: ..........Barley Wine from 2006, BGSA from 2006...
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meisel
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#5 Post by meisel » Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:54 pm

So cool. You'll have to let me know the next time you fire that bad boy up. I can bring a couple growlers to add to the confusion :twisted:
The usefulness of opinion is itself matter of opinion.
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Jensen
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#6 Post by Jensen » Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:22 am

Okay, I just got done scrolling through and digesting all the pics, started Tuesday... Wow. That is a dream on steroids. I would pitch in another couple of growlers as well, just to witness this piece of work in action!
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cyburai
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#7 Post by cyburai » Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:25 am

What the hell.. I would come over also. Just to make sure you have an audience. I can take a couple more people if the van isn't being used.
~Cyburai / Sean

"And so it was said: that on the eighth and extra day, God did indeed create beer to prevent the Irish from conquering the world."
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Blktre
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#8 Post by Blktre » Thu Jan 28, 2010 8:09 pm

Ill come over too and start flipping valves around behind your back Jason. See if you really know your stuff :twisted:

Looking good. Glad things are finally on the Up and Up. You deserve it Bro!
Just call me Andy!

Lupulin Threshold Shift
lupulin threshold shift \lu·pu·lin thresh·old shift\ n
1. When a once extraordinarily hoppy beer now seems pedestrian.
2. The phenomenon a person has when craving more bitterness in beer.
3. The long-term exposure to extremely hoppy beers; if excessive or prolonged, a habitual dependence on hops will occur.
4. When a "Double IPA" just is not enough
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Jdl973
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#9 Post by Jdl973 » Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:52 pm

Well the opportunity will be coming. Just found out I have to have ANOTHER surgery in 6 weeks. So before the "cutting day", I am going to be brewing like a mad man. I will post the brew days and everyone is welcome. More to follow.

Jason
BEFORE THERE WAS MATHEMATICS, RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY OR CULTURE...THERE WAS BEER.

In Primary:............. None (how sad is that?)
In Secondary:..........None...see above
On Tap: ..........Barley Wine from 2006, BGSA from 2006...
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Swagman
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#10 Post by Swagman » Sat Jan 30, 2010 9:15 am

Ok what was I suppose to do this kid shows up with what he calls his HLT and I swear its a Hot tub. Wants everything including the sink. I'm a sucker when it comes to big kids with watery eyes and they are a service to our Country. Jason
Thank you for the kind words just glad things worked out including the Flux capacitor you call a CFC. BUT remember TURN THE BREAKER ON (you can ask him). Chris the Brush Lite I confess its what I call the shed water, If I walk back to house to the tap all work would stop lol.

Thur life I have found out that you meet all sorts of People some you wish you have never met and some you are glad you did. Jason your one I'm glad I did.

God Bless
Dominus Vobiscum
Swagman 8)
Eliminate the possibility of Failure
Imagination is far more important than knowledge.
~ Albert Einstein
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klickcue
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#11 Post by klickcue » Sat Jan 30, 2010 9:52 am

Swagman,

You did an excellent job on Jason's rig and he deserves it. It is a great rig and I wish that I was so lucky. 8)

I can understand Shed Water, since I have consumed a lot of Busch and Busch Lite in my life time. Something close at hand always makes the job quicker and easier:!:
Have Fun!

Chris
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Rob Martin
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#12 Post by Rob Martin » Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:12 pm

Personally, my shed water is Old Style Light. When I go up north, I bring back a case of it when I can.
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Bierdog
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Re: The Birth of a Brew Rig

#13 Post by Bierdog » Sat Feb 06, 2010 4:54 pm

What a great looking brew setup. Gee, may drag out the equipment see prehistoric-:)
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