Frankenbrew Can Be Beautiful
I’ve mentioned an inexpensive alternative to fermentation vessels in the past, but using dairy tanks for open fermentation, can be beautiful. Hear me out.
A used dairy tank is insulated, jacketed and typically has a lid, so while it is technically open fermentation, with the lid, your beer is further protected.
That doesn’t mean the tank has to be ugly, or that you can’t use this type of fermentation as a selling point for your craft beer. I saw a picture of just this type of fermentation tank in a glass room with a mirror angled on top, so the customers could actually see the beer fermenting.
To me this is much more interesting than a conical fermenter!
So as President Biden would say, “Here’s the deal.”
Buy a used horizontal or cylindrical dairy tank that is jacketed. Here are a couple of examples.
As you can see they aren’t expensive as fermenters go. Typically they have a motor on top attached to a stainless mixing paddle, which are easily removed. Also, they usually have (but not always) tri-clamp openings. All you need to add is a racking arm. On one side is where the inlet and outlet to the jacket are located.
Before you buy, check the jackets with air pressure to make sure there are no leaks.
Call to Arms Brewing in Denver, Colorado added an open fermenter to their operation to add variety. I owned a brewery in Colorado Springs called IL Vicino, and used three of them for all our beers. Yes, we also won medals at the Great American Beer Fest too.
I had never thought of displaying the fermentation process like the first picture above, but in the future if there was room, I would consider it. Anything to set you apart from the crowd and exemplify your craft is a winner to me. The nice side benefit is it’s also an inexpensive alternative to a nameless expensive conical fermenter. Don’t get me wrong, there are so many things right about a good uni-tank, but once again, I am just offering you another choice. Discussion?
Open Fermentation is REALLY beneficial to many styles of beer! Show off your sexxy!!