OUR BREW SETUP
A look into the equipment and processes that power Ostentatious Brewing. From precision temperature control to manual wort management, here's how we craft our beer.
THE GEAR
Boil Kettle
A Blichmann 10-gallon G2 Boilermaker kettle paired with a Blichmann Hellfire burner. This setup provides rapid heating and precise boil control, essential for consistent hop extraction.
Mash Tun
A modified 10-gallon Rubbermaid cooler serves as our mash tun. Its excellent insulation maintains temperatures within 1°F over a 60-minute mash, critical for proper enzymatic conversion. A non-heated mash tun doesn't allow you to heat the wort for more complex mashes, but a single infusion has always done the trick.
Fermentation Vessels
We utilize Spiedel 30L plastic fermenters. They are food grade, lightweight, and durable. A 30L fermentation vessel is ideal for a 5 gallon batch as there is plenty of room for the krausen to rise and settle.
Yeast Starters & Stir Plate
Healthy yeast is the secret to great beer. We use a Maelstrom stir plate and Erlenmeyer flasks to grow high cell counts, ensuring vigorous fermentations even for high-gravity stouts and IPAs.
TIPS & LESSONS LEARNED
Pitching Rates Matter
High ABV beers often struggle if you don't pitch enough yeast, but every beer benefits from a healthy pitch of yeast. I use starters for every beer to ensure maximum fermentation. Pitching on a previous yeast cake is a pro move for extreme gravity beers.
Temperature Control
Fermentation temperature is the biggest difference between good beer and great beer. Keeping a stable temperature avoids off-flavors (fusels, esters) that can ruin a clean lager or pale ale.
Oxygenation
Aerating with pure oxygen for 60 seconds before pitching yeast leads to a much healthier lag phase. This is especially important when using starters, as the yeast needs oxygen to build strong cell walls. Use a diffuser connected to an oxygen torch canister for to give the yeast a healthy infusion of oxygen.
Yeast Cakes
Pitching a new, compatible beer on a yeast cake from a previous batch is a great way save money, and a perfect way to brew a high gravity beer. Pitch a Doppelbock onto the yeast cake of a Maibock or Helles Bock to maximize cost and brewing efficiency.
Water
Water is one of the most important ingredients in brewing. Ask your local water district for an analysis of your water profile and determine how to adjust it to a basic profile. To counteract chlorine and choride, one 5 cent Campden Tablet elevated my brews to a whole new level. At that point, the taste went from home brewed to brewery quality.