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Message |
    
Matt Lucey
Junior Member
Username: Knockkneedman
Post Number: 33
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 70.251.188.123
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 12:42 am: | 
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So say you had enough money to buy a pre-made brewing rig, between the SABCO and a build your own from BB&MB, what would you choose, I am leaning towards the Brew Magic syste...what are your thoughts? |
Zymie
Junior Member
Username: Zymie
Post Number: 78
Registered: 10-2001
Posted From: 66.214.236.131
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 12:44 am: |
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Its a shame that Brewtree is no longer with us.
RIP |
Matt Lucey
Junior Member
Username: Knockkneedman
Post Number: 34
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 70.251.188.123
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 01:32 am: |
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Oh if I wanted to buy overpriced stainless fittings I'll give you call, don't worry...... |
Heath
Intermediate Member
Username: Frizedo
Post Number: 458
Registered: 09-2004
Posted From: 70.109.97.173
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 01:35 am: |
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I was in a antique store today(garlic fesival) while on my way to Ommegang brewry for the Ommefest. I saw an old copper steam kettle(about 30 gal size) It was used as a steamer in a NY hotel. Sight glass and all still in tact. Man if I had 850 to blow(well I did but my wife was shaking her head the whole time) I would have bought this. Excellent condition, minor welds, and man would this be a mash tun from heaven.
So as I drink out of my newly bought tulip glasses from Ommegang Im seeing this thread and noticing that my balls have shrunk.. Son of a..!
Heath |
jim williams
Member
Username: Jim
Post Number: 210
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 68.0.214.107
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 01:56 am: |
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I have a Brew Magic system. I'd hardly say I blew any money, just made a lifetime investment after 12 years of homemade equipment.
I wouldn't say the beer is any better, but, the day sure is nicer. I love it.
If you have the cash, and can't weld, or, don't have the time or desire to learn, don't be put off by other homebrewers not wanting to pay up for a system. yep, they're pricey, but, all in all, it's still cheaper than lots of other hobbies. I ride motorcycles. If you wanted to give that a try, you'd spend a couple grand min. on a basic bike, gear etc. Not sure why folks think brewing or any other hobby should be any different?!
If you have any questions or live near Providence, RI and want to take it for a spin, email me jimswms@cox.net
cheers,
Jim |
Connie
Advanced Member
Username: Connie
Post Number: 503
Registered: 10-2000
Posted From: 12.78.102.65
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 08:21 am: |
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Hey Matt, I used to drool over those systems from 3B and Sabco. I would suggest you read and understand all you can about what you want, then go for it. I agree with Jim. Not everyone can or wants to build their own, no shame there!
 |
Paul Hayslett
Advanced Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 851
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 64.252.41.46
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 12:56 pm: |
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Jim's not kidding. My business partner used to race Ducatis. Race fees, 1 to 2 sets of tires, fuel, oil, food, replacements for parts ground off in spills could run $1000 PER RACE WEEKEND. That's after you pay for the bike, the upgrades, the leathers, the tire warmers, the lessons, the qualifying sessions, etc.
When he got tired of changing tires in the rain, my partner sold all his stuff and bought a boat. $28K up front before you even start to talk about insurance, slip fees, fuel, maintenance, etc.
Compared to that, a top-of-the-line system from B3 doesn't look expensive at all. And if you make 100 batches on it at 5 hours per batch, you're looking at $6/hr. Not bad at all. |
Bill Moore
Intermediate Member
Username: Bill_beerman
Post Number: 354
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 65.80.64.108
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 01:06 pm: |
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I wouldn't buy a system until I had done enough brewing to know I was going to stick with It.
I've enjoyed cobbling things together as much as the brewing itself. But that's the DIY in me.
Many of the money spent on items no longer used was from trying to be inexpensive in growing my system.
Now that I've been doing it a while, I appreciate the value of the investment in the more expensive items like pumps and convoluted CFC's.
If you're an experienced brewer and know what you want/need in your system, go ahead and buy the system components from B3, otherwise you might be better off buying the pre-built system from someone.
I'm sure the folks at B3 would help you configure your system but you'll need a good idea of your vision or you'll buy a bunch of add-ons that you don't really need. |
jim williams
Member
Username: Jim
Post Number: 212
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 68.0.214.107
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 01:07 pm: |
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yep. all true, Paul. My quote of a couple grand was for a mechanically sound beater that you'd want to upgrade once you learned not to fall off doing a u-turn.
I'll never understand why homebrewers are so cheap. I do understand that it can be done cheaply. So can the 11,000 mile in 11 days Iron Butt rally, but, few do.
I would guess that in my lifetime, my brew magic will be much cheaper than if I continued to replace buckets, hoses, hose clamps etc. for the next 50ish years until I'm too old to brew. All I have to worry about is keeping the propane tank full, but, I had that concern before! |
Tim Polster
Member
Username: Bassman
Post Number: 147
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 69.149.48.65
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:25 pm: |
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I just looked at the brew magic setups, and more power to you if you desire to purchase one of these systems.
$3395 is a quite a jump from the cooler, stainless pot & used keg I have!
Homebrewers may be cheap, but I just don't see the value in these high priced systems.
If you could say for sure your beer would be that much better, then I might see it, but I would guess the beer would only be slightly if any better.
My opinion is to not pay high dollar on the stainless and spend more on good thermometers and fermentation temperature control.
Much more affordable and makes more of an impact on the quality of the beer. |
Belly Buster Bob
Senior Member
Username: Canman
Post Number: 2422
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 142.177.99.187
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 02:58 pm: |
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If I had the dough, there's a company in Quebec that makes a beaut little palletized system. can't remeber the name right off but the whole thing is on a rolling pallet like a brewhause setup...runs around $5k
Bellybuster Bob
www.bellybuster.netfirms.com
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Joshua Coman
Junior Member
Username: Crazyjae
Post Number: 93
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 24.5.121.216
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 04:00 pm: |
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And there's always the Beverage People's 10 gal. setup for $1,195.
http://store.thebeveragepeople.com/pgi-PRODUCTSPEC?PB09
(Message edited by crazyjae on September 18, 2005) |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 3505
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.229.8
| | Posted on Sunday, September 18, 2005 - 04:44 pm: |
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I have to say that the model in the photo in Joshua's link looks like she might actually enjoy the product. Let's call her zaftig and a change from the Sports Illustrated swimsuit babes who might drink no more than a Corona Light once a month. |
David Woods
Advanced Member
Username: Beericon
Post Number: 660
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 4.186.63.199
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 12:27 am: |
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Heath,
I was in Cape May, NJ this weekend and happened to see an old hand crank washer machine at a fair. It was about a 20-25 gallon tank with a huge rotating hand crack arm inside. I opened the lid and thought MASHTUN!!!! Alas, I have no room in my apt and we had the wife's Honda anyway. It was larger that her cars engine! 
Brewing equipment to me is in the finding and the making it work. I love to tinker with things. I wouldn't buy a brew system even if I could afford one.
But a guy in my club bought the BBB one and loves it!!! It looks great! Not like some frankenstein thing like I see most homebewers have.
If you don't like to tinker, than by all means get a whole system. If you do like to tinker, you could save a whole lotta of money buy spending a whole lotta time!
David |
Paul Hayslett
Advanced Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 852
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 64.252.41.46
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 04:33 am: |
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> But a guy in my club bought the BBB one and loves it!!! It looks great!
There's a guy in my club with a BBB system, too. Sure looks nicer than my system, with its $15 cooler mash tun and a couple of rusting Walmart turkey fryers. I'd buy a BBB system in a minute if I had the dosh. I don't, of course, but I can dream. |
Scott Manning
Junior Member
Username: Liquidbreaddiet
Post Number: 49
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 12.18.36.40
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 12:43 pm: |
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Belly Buster - Is this the company you are refering too - They used to have a smaller 3 bbl system that came palatized but now the smallest is a 5bbl system.
http://www.dmeinternational.com/brewing/
I got a quote from them for 59k for everything one would need to own opperate, install, and run a small brewery. if anyone wants to see the quote email me at liquidbreaddiet@gmail.com |
Belly Buster Bob
Senior Member
Username: Canman
Post Number: 2423
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 131.137.245.199
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 01:20 pm: |
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No Scott...I've been searching for that link and can't find it. Name of the company is Specialiste...something....something....really nice little system. Gave me the idea to trailer mount my system...still in the future planning by the way
Bellybuster Bob
www.bellybuster.netfirms.com
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Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 1690
Registered: 03-2004
Posted From: 216.23.120.54
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 01:40 pm: |
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Scott, it is my opinion that buying a new commercial system anymore is not a very wise investment for two reasons:
1. There are a lot of used, heavily depreciated systems out there.
2. There are a lot of used heavily depreciated systems out there.
Dan Listermann
--This space is again being left intentionally blank.-
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Scott Manning
Junior Member
Username: Liquidbreaddiet
Post Number: 50
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 12.18.36.40
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 01:56 pm: |
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no problem there - by trade i am an architect. and a client of mine asked me to specify a DME system - as new - for lending purposes. so i had to get a quote. his plan all along was to purchase a used system that is very similar. |
Jonathan Henderson
Member
Username: Henderson1966
Post Number: 182
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 68.67.96.38
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 03:03 pm: |
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I liked the challenge of building my own. In fact, I just did the inaugural brew on my new 15 gallon hard-pumbed HERMS on Saturday. It sure was nice turning valves rather than lifting, pouring and all that other stuff.
I did spend 2 years designing and ebaying (it's an all stainless system) so if you're in a hurry and you have the money, maybe you should consider buying. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 3509
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.229.8
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 03:54 pm: |
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Bob, I think you are referring to this:
http://www.stainlesssteelspec.com/html/an/products.htm
The product (scroll to the bottom of the page) is called the "Brewing Comerade" and seems to be a very nice 50 liter system. I don't know what the price is either in Canada or the US, but their commercial equipment (the owner was a stainless fabricator at Molson in Montreal) is in use at several of the Montreal brewpubs and at Greg Noonan's brewery in Vermont, among others. |
Scott Manning
Junior Member
Username: Liquidbreaddiet
Post Number: 51
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 12.18.36.40
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 03:57 pm: |
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If you live near san antonio one might get this for cheap - not the best setup i have seen - but you might be able to get it for a song.
http://cgi.ebay.com/All-Grain-3-Tier-Homebrew-Beer-Brewing-System_W0QQitemZ44060 78069QQcategoryZ38172QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
(Message edited by liquidbreaddiet on September 19, 2005) |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 3510
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.229.8
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 04:13 pm: |
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In the system in Scott's link the stand alone would be worth a fair price if you could transport it yourself. |
Belly Buster Bob
Senior Member
Username: Canman
Post Number: 2424
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 131.137.245.199
| | Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 05:01 pm: |
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Yup...that's it Bill...the BC-50. A few years back when I was in business, I looked at it soley as a draw to come in the shop. Around $5k. with insulated tuns and the works. Quirte a well thought out design. I had them send me all the specs and it was impressive considering the cost including a conical.
Bellybuster Bob
www.bellybuster.netfirms.com
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Brews and Views Archive 2005 
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