Speidels Braumeister

[Evil Jalapeno]

Just wondering if any of you have worked with one before, and if so, a 20L or a 50L. What's your opinion on the product? It's pretty expensive, but then again, buying quality equipment all separately to do the same job can cost almost the same. Weighing in my options here. Go big or go home, they say?

EDIT: Is it considered the "easy way out" of AG brewing?

[Chris Craig]

I wouldn't say it's the "easy way out".  One problem I see though is if something breaks, you're done.  No way to brew until it's fixed.  I'm thinking specifically of the controller.

[Evil Jalapeno]

One problem I see though is if something breaks, you're done.  No way to brew until it's fixed.  I'm thinking specifically of the controller.

That is certainly one of my concerns, and I'm hoping someone has some feedback on it. I've been doing some reading, and although many people say they are afraid the electronics will let go some day, no one seem to have had any problems so far. Time will tell, I suppose!

[Chris Craig]

What is their warranty like?

[Evil Jalapeno]

What is their warranty like?

I read 12 months here and there on different message boards and vendors' websites, but this is all I found in their manual:

17 Guarantee conditions, handling a guarantee
Conditions:
• Statutory guarantee conditions apply. The guarantee period for users is reduced to the
regulations applicable to commercial customers to the extent that they are making use
of a device suitable for commercial use, including in part.
• Transmission of a copy of proof of purchase is a prerequisite for guarantee claims
against us or one of our dealers. For verification of the guarantee refer to the note on
handling a guarantee below.
• For quick processing of guarantee claims, please inform us immediately in writing
upon noticing defects, and include a fault description and photos where applicable.
• No guarantee is given for defects due to non-adherence to the operating instructions,
improper treatment or normal wear and tear of the device. Guarantee claims are also
excluded in terms of brittle components or expendables such as seals or similar.
Finally, guarantee claims are excluded where work is performed on the device by nonauthorised
parties.

[Kyle]

If you are going to spend that kind of cash, go with the 1 BBL Stout Tanks system... way more awesome, and includes a fermenter

http://conical-fermenter.com/about/attachment/1-bbl-brewing-system/

[JohnQ]

What Kyle just said, presuming you have the room to put it.
Having said that... I spent a great deal of time researching the Speidel system and found the thread on HomeBrewTalk quite informative.
Most guys love them, but there are limits on gravity you can produce and things can and do go wrong. Without going back and looking again I'm recalling in the 60's is the limit.
Pretty sure the 1.087 Barley Wine in my BH right now is not doable on a Braumeister, and that's a crying shame. When you spend that kind of coin, you don't want to be restricted at the top end...no matter what you think of your tastes as they currently are...hang around with us for a while and you'll be brewing High Gravity Shit before you know it...I promise.
If you are really restricted on space it's a great little very expensive toy, but it's really just a glorified BIAB system with a computer to help you control temps.

If you want to go BIAB, there are people here who can help with that, for a lot less cash.

The downside of the 1 Barrel System that Kyle posted is that it restricts you the other way, tough to crank out 10 gallons on it. Though bang for buck...that's damn good.
I've actually used my HLT as my BK to do a 10 gallon batch recently...said Barley Wine, so I'm finding the 20-30-30 Blichmann system to be a just perfect combo.  Of course you don't need to go all Gollum and get the shiny Blichmanns either, lots of good SS out there.

JQ

[Evil Jalapeno]

Great tips guys! The 1 BBL kit is very nice; however, with a basement that's already pretty full and no garage, I don't think it can be an option. As for the Blichmann 20-30-30 system, again, with no garage, I'd have to boil outside. In other words, I'm somewhat limited, and that is the main reason why I was eying the Braumeister. I'm still satisfied with what I can do with partial mash, but I'm sure I'll want more options soon. And I certainly enjoy high gravity brews, especially during the colder months (my next batch is the RIA from Noble Grape). Couldn't you bring the OG up in a Braumeister simply by adding extract?

I haven't really looked into BIAB yet. I don't know if I want to add a "step" in my progression to AG, although I'm sure it would help me. Isn't the efficiency of BIAB not so good, like under 70%??

[Chris Craig]

You could certainly add DME/LME or even a simple sugar to bring up the gravity.

[Evil Jalapeno]

You could certainly add DME/LME or even a simple sugar to bring up the gravity.

Good to know.