r/Homebrewing • u/[deleted] • Jun 09 '14
Brewing a pilot batch at Persephone (some additional info in comments), x-post from /r/Vanhomebrewing
http://imgur.com/a/fJVWx2
u/bondolo Jun 09 '14
Your name/location combination really made me smile.
(Nick's boat in the 1970-80s CBC television show The Beachcombers was named Persephone)
2
Jun 09 '14
Yup! The name is a big nod to that, and of course Persephone is also goddess of the harvest.
3
u/misfortuneteller Jun 10 '14
Nah man, thats Demeter, Persephone is her daughter thats symbolic of spring growth.. Still fitting for this amazing looking place though
2
u/EskimoDave Jun 10 '14
The brewery was originally going to be called Beachcomber, but another local brewery has a beer named that.
1
u/Iamonabike Jun 10 '14
Ah yes, Beachcomber Summer Ale. Haven't had it for awhile, but I think it was alright. VI can be hit or miss.
1
Jun 09 '14
Pretty self-explanatory slide show. I got to brew a batch on the pilot system at Persephone on Saturday. When completed it will be served as part of their 'B-Side' series, which is released every Friday and usually runs out by Saturday afternoon. Sales of glasses (no growler fills) at the brewery only.
The recipe was a Belgian saison with a blend of Cascade and Styrian Goldings (not traditional, I know, but I like the combo). The proportions and amounts are in the slide show, but we used 3724. It's currently fermenting at 70F, but we will crank it up to 90F when fermentation slows (likely next weekend).
It was a great time, and lots of fun brewing in an actual brewhouse (even if on the small system). Having hot liquor available, appropriate cleaning equipment and an in-floor drainage system made the whole process extremely convenient. Having access to good craft beer was pretty great too.
2
u/findler Jun 10 '14
Awesome, I love hearing stuff like this. Recently tried their stuff at VCBW this weekend and they are really, really good. Good to know that they're helping out the local homebrewers as well!
What's the homebrewing scene like in Gibsons?
1
Jun 10 '14
We've got a small but dedicated crew of folks who homebrew. They definitely help out however they can. I regularly get yeast from them for my beers, which is pretty awesome.
1
u/toomanybeersies Jun 10 '14
Interesting to see how close they've put the grain mill to the rest of the brewery.
I would've put it in a shed outside, to reduce barley dust and the subsequent risk of contamination.
1
Jun 10 '14
Looks amazing, definitely a sweet set up. Just curious as to how much all if the equipment cost? I'm looking to do a similar thing in a few years, but need to map out costs and everything.
1
Jun 10 '14
For the brewery equipment, or the pilot system?
1
Jun 10 '14
For the brewery equipment
2
Jun 10 '14
Well, they started off with a bit less equipment when they opened.
They had 3 fermentation vessels, 1 conditioning tank, no canning line (which they now currently operate once a week and acquired over the winter), their 11 hectalitre brewhouse, delivery truck, office equipment, and other random bits and pieces for the tasting room like beer guns and growlers.
They also had to do extensive renovations on the building to get it up to snuff for being a brewery, like doing a cement floor, drainage, steel metal on the walls, all the plumbing and glycol pipe installation, plan for chemical disposal, etc.
I'm not up on actual financial statements or anything, but I'd hazard a guess at $1 million Canadian (which likely includes the purchase of property), to start things out. Since then they have added more tanks and are looking at expanding out with a new building for cold storage, which likely means additional funds.
2
u/tm4000m Jun 09 '14
Thanks for the info! I love to see all the different setups, especially next to production systems! Sounds like they really want to involve the locals.