GB2577752A

GB2577752A - Brewing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2577752A
Application number: GB1816298.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gascoyne Daniel; John Fenn Antony
Original assignee: Enviroflex Ltd
Current assignee: Enviroflex Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-05
Filing date: 2018-10-05
Publication date: 2020-04-08
Also published as: WO2020070523A1

Abstract

A brewing apparatus 2 comprising a primary vessel 4, a sparge tank 6 and a cooling jacket 8, characterised in that the primary comprises a vessel base 10, one or primary vessel side walls and at least one primary vessel liquid inlet/outlet means 14; the edges of the primary vessel side walls remote from the primary vessel base define a vessel mouth; the cooling jacket comprises a heat exchange means; the cooling jacket surrounds a portion of the primary vessel side walls 24 or walls adjacent the vessel base; the sparge tank comprises at least one inlet/outlet means 34; and the sparge tank surrounds a portion of the primary vessel side wall or walls adjacent the primary vessel mouth. The apparatus may further comprise a basket and/or a basket support means 36, wherein the basket configured to be reversibly inserted into the primary vessel mouth and the basket support means is adapted to support a basket in a plurality of positions with the primary vessel. The basket may be perforated or formed of a mesh. A method of brewing beer using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Description

BREWING APPARATUS

This invention relates to brewing apparatus and, in particular an apparatus in which substantially the whole brewing process is performed and a method of brewing using such apparatus.

It is known that brewing apparatus for use in the brewing of potable liquids such as beer or lager comprises a number of separate elements all of which have different purposes in the brewing process. Those elements include: A sparge tank (also known as a hot liquor tank (HLT)) which is used for the purpose of heating strike water and the sparging / lautering water for use in the brewing process.

A mash tun used for the process of mashing in which crushed grains are soaked in the strike water. This soaking converts starches in the crushed grains into sugars for fermentation, the liquid gained from the mashing is called the wort (which term collectively describes both the sweet wort obtained at the mashing stage, and the hopped (or bitter) wort obtained once the hops have been introduced to the sweet wort)..

The mash is lautered in a lautering tank in which the wort is recirculated through the grains with a view to using the grains to filter out particulates (small bits of grain and husks) from the wort. This is an optional step.

In the mash tun, lautering tank, or other tank the wort is drained from the grains and then sparged using clean hot water.

The wort is boiled in a kettle tank. Hops and any other flavourings such as fruits are added to the wort during the boiling to add flavour.

A cooling jacket or immersion cooling system is used to cool the wort after it has been boiled.

The wort is added to a fermentation tank after boiling. Once the wort in the fermentation tank is sufficiently cooled, yeast is added to the wort and the wort is fermented to form beer or lager.

Once fermentation of the wort is complete the beer or lager is transferred to suitable containers such as a conditioning tank, barrels or kegs, or bottles.

According to the present invention there is provided a brewing apparatus comprising a primary vessel, a sparge tank, and a cooling jacket, characterised in that the 1.0 primary vessel comprises a primary vessel base, one or more primary vessel side walls and at least one liquid outlet means, the edges of the primary vessel side walls remote from the base define a primary vessel mouth, the cooling jacket comprises a heat exchange means, the cooling jacket surrounds a portion of the primary vessel side wall or walls adjacent the primary vessel base, the sparge tank comprises at least one inlet / outlet port, and the sparge tank surrounds a portion of the primary vessel side wall or walls adjacent the primary vessel mouth.

The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous because, as will be described in greater detail below, the apparatus can function as all of a sparge tank, mash tun, lautering tank, kettle tank, cooling jacket, and fermentation tank. This results in significant space and cost savings as well as other advantages described below.

Brewing apparatus is designed to brew up to a predetermined maximum volume of liquid which is hereafter referred to as the "brew volume". It is preferred that the primary vessel defines a volume larger than the brew volume. In some embodiments of the present invention it is preferred that the configuration of the primary vessel is such that the dimensions of the surface of the liquid held in in the primary vessel, when the vessel contains the brew volume, are about equal to or smaller than the depth of the liquid.

In some embodiments of the present invention the primary vessel has a primary vessel base that is a substantially torispherical dish. In some embodiments approximately a 10% torispherical dish. In such embodiments, the side wall of the primary vessel is substantially cylindrical or tubular.

In some embodiments of the present invention the primary vessel has a primary vessel base that is substantially the shape of an inverted cone or inverted conical frustum. In such embodiments, the side wall of the primary vessel is substantially cylindrical or tubular.

In some other embodiments of the present invention the primary vessel has a primary vessel base that is substantially the shape of an inverted pyramid or inverted pyramidal frustum. In such embodiments, the primary vessel has four side walls which are arranged as two pairs of parallel walls each pair being separated by the walls of the other pair.

In some embodiments of the present invention at least one primary vessel inlet / outlet means is located to pass through the primary vessel base. In some embodiments of the present invention where the primary vessel base is configured to narrow to a vertex or narrowed portion relative to the side wall or walls of the primary vessel, at least one primary vessel inlet / outlet means is located at or close to the vertex or narrowed portion of the primary vessel base.

In some embodiments of the present invention where the primary vessel base is configured to narrow to a vertex or narrowed portion relative to the side wall or walls of the primary vessel, at least a first primary vessel inlet / outlet means is located at or close to the vertex or narrowed portion of the primary vessel base, and at least a second primary vessel inlet / outlet means is located to pass through the primary vessel base at a location further from the vertex or narrowed portion of the primary vessel base than the location of the first primary vessel inlet / outlet means.

The apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a lid which reversibly closes the mouth of the primary vessel. In some embodiments of the present invention the lid may tightly or sealingly reversibly close the mouth of the primary vessel.

In some embodiments of the present invention the cooling jacket comprises a cooling tank having a cooling jacket inlet means and a cooling jacket outlet means. The cooling jacket inlet and outlet means are in fluid communication with each other via the inside of the cooling tank, and the inside of the primary vessel and the inside of the cooling tank are in thermal communication with each other.

The thermal communication between the inside of the primary vessel and the inside of the cooling tank may, in some embodiments of the present invention be the result of the use of metallic materials to construct the primary vessel and the cooling tank.

In some embodiments of the present invention the inside of the cooling tank may include one or more walls or baffles which have the effect of directing the flow of cooling liquid in the tank as a cooling liquid travels from the cooling jacket inlet means to the cooling jacket outlet means. This has the advantage that the baffles can optimise the movement of the cooling liquid in the cooling tank to result in the greatest transfer of heat from the walls of the of the cooling tank into the cooling liquid. The cooling liquid is preferably cold water.

The various liquid inlet and or outlet means of the apparatus of the present invention are preferably comprised of a connection means suitable for reversible connection to an end conduit or a connection means attached to an end of a conduit. It is preferred that the connection means are of a standard known configuration for ease of operation and interchangeability. TRI-CLAMP (registered trade mark) fittings available from Alfa Laval are a preferred known connection means.

In some embodiments of the present invention at least one of the various liquid inlet and or outlet means of the apparatus of the present invention comprise an isolation valve means so that flow of liquid through the inlet and or outlet means can be allowed or prevented as appropriate.

In some embodiments of the present invention in which the cooling jacket is a cooling tank the portion of the primary vessel side wall or walls that is / are surrounded by the cooling jacket also comprises a wall or walls of the cooling tank. This is advantageous because the commonality of the wall will maximise the rate of heat transfer between the contents of the primary vessel and the cooling tank. It is also advantageous because this construction saves construction materials.

In some embodiments of the present invention the portion of the primary vessel side wall or walls that is / are surrounded by the sparge tank also comprises a wall or walls of the sparge tank. Again, this is advantageous because this construction saves construction materials. A further advantage of this approach is that whilst the mashing step of the brewing process is occurring the temperature of the air in the primary vessel above the strike water and grains helps to keep the sparge tank heated. This is particularly so when the lid is used to close the mouth of the primary vessel.

In some embodiments of the present invention the volume of the sparge tank will be at least 50% of the volume of liquid that is intended to be brewed.

In some embodiments of the present invention the sparge tank further comprises an overflow port which forms a conduit between a portion of the sparge tank that is furthest from the primary vessel base and the inside of the primary vessel. This has the result that filling the sparge tank with sparge water from the sparge tank inlet / outlet means located in a portion of the sparge tank closest to the primary vessel base does not trap pockets of air in the sparge tank preventing complete filling of the sparge tank. There is a further advantage that any overfilling of the sparge tank will result in the overfill being returned to the primary vessel.

In some embodiments of the present invention at least the outer face of the sparge tank, the face remote from the primary vessel, is provided with thermal insulation. The thermally insulation may be permanently fixed to the outer face of the sparge tank or may be reversibly removable.

In some embodiments of the present invention the portion of the cooling jacket furthest from the primary vessel base abuts the portion of the sparge tank closest to the primary vessel base. In some embodiments the cooling jacket and the sparge tank share a common wall where they abut.

In some embodiments of the present invention the portion of the cooling jacket furthest from the primary vessel base is separated from the portion of the sparge tank closest to the primary vessel base by an air gap, or a gap filled with a thermal insulation material.

In some embodiments of the present invention the primary vessel further comprises at least one basket support means, and the or each basket support means is adapted to support a basket in a plurality of positions within the primary vessel. In io some embodiments of the present invention there are two, three or four basket support means.

The basket support means may be integral with the primary vessel side wall or walls, independent of the primary vessel side wall or walls, or fixed to one or more of the primary vessel side wall or walls.

In some embodiments of the present invention the plurality of positions in which a basket may be suspended within the primary vessel are at a plurality of distances from the primary vessel base. This has the result that a basket can be supported at a range of distances from the primary vessel base, in particular, the basket can be positioned so that it is wholly, partially or not immersed in liquid when the primary vessel contains the brew volume.

In some embodiments of the present invention the or each basket support means is comprised of a plurality of support surfaces, and each support surface is a different distance from the primary vessel base.

The or each basket support means may, in some embodiments of the present invention, comprise a longitudinally extending bar having a first and second end and a plurality of teeth or pegs extending approximately laterally from a longitudinally extending side of the bar. In some embodiments each tooth or peg may have a face on the side of the tooth or peg proximal to the first end of the bar that is about perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar, and the bar is adapted to be fixed in the primary vessel with the second end of the bar proximal to the primary vessel base and the first end of the bar proximal to the primary vessel mouth.

In some embodiments of the present invention the apparatus further comprises a basket, and the basket is dimensioned and configured to be reversibly insertable into the primary vessel via the primary vessel mouth.

In some embodiments of the present invention the basket is comprised of one or more lifting means and one or more walls, in which a portion of at least one of the io walls is perforated, or formed from a mesh.

In some embodiments of the present invention, where the brew volume is sufficiently small that, as a consequence, the amount of grain expected to be used in the brewing process is not large and can be safely lifted by a user when wet, the lifting means is a handle.

In some embodiments of the present invention, where the brew volume is sufficiently large that, as a consequence, the amount of grain expected to be used in the brewing process is not sufficiently large that it cannot be safely manually lifted by a user when wet, the lifting means is a means for engaging the basket with a pully or a winch.

The basket is comprised of one wall (if the basket is hemispherical or a similar shape) or a basket base and at least one side wall. The or each side wall defines a basket mouth through which the volume within the basket may be accessed. In some embodiments of the present invention a portion of the basket wall or walls proximal to the mouth of the basket are not perforated and a portion of the wall or walls and / or the basket base are perforated or formed from a mesh. In some of these embodiments the perforations / mesh portion are so located that when a quantity of grain suitable for the brew volume is located in the basket and approximately evenly distributed therein, the perforations or mesh portion are covered by the grain.

In some preferred embodiments, the depth of the basket, which is the distance between the mouth of the basket and the portion of the basket furthest from the mouth of the basket, is sufficient that when a quantity of grain suitable for the brew volume is located in the basket, and approximately evenly distributed therein, the grain can be fully submerged in liquid in the primary vessel and the mouth of the basket above the liquid level. In some embodiments the mouth of the basket is at least 5 cm, 10 cm or 15 cm above the liquid level.

In some embodiments of the present invention the perforations / mesh apertures are less than 5mm, less than 4mm, less than 3mm, less than 2mm or less than 1mm in their shortest dimension. It is desired that the perforations / mesh apertures do not allow the grains to exit the basket via the perforations / mesh during the mashing and / or sparging processes.

In some embodiments of the present invention the mesh apertures / perforations are differently sized at different locations on the basket base and or side walls.

In some embodiments of the present invention the basket is further comprised of one or more means suitable to reversibly engage with one or more basket support means within the primary vessel.

In some embodiments of the present invention the apparatus further comprises at least one liquid heating means. The heating means may be an appropriate known liquid heating means such as an electrical resistance heating element. In some embodiments of the present invention the liquid heating means is located adjacent the primary vessel base.

In some embodiments of the present invention the apparatus further comprises at least one conduit (which term is to be understood to include pipes and hoses) and at least one pump in which the or each conduit and the or each pump are configured and dimensioned to allow the conduit to extend between the various liquid inlet and or outlet means of the apparatus of the present invention. It is preferred that the conduits and the liquid inlet or outlet means are adapted to be reversibly connected to each other.

A conduit may connect to and extend between a primary vessel liquid inlet / outlet means and the sparge tank inlet means, and a pump may be configured and located so as to be able to pump liquid from the primary vessel to the sparge tank. In embodiments of the present invention where there is provided an overflow port in the sparge tank, any excess water pumped into the sparge tank will flow through the overflow and back into the primary vessel. This ability to pass water through the sparge tank and back to the primary vessel is advantageous because it allows the sparge tank to be heated up by passing hot water through it before the sparge water is stored in the sparge tank. This will lessen the temperature loss of the sparge water whilst the grains are mashing in the primary vessel.

A conduit may extend between the sparge tank inlet / outlet means and a sparge water introduction means. The pump may be configured and located so as to be able to pump liquid from the sparge tank to the sparge water introduction means.

The sparge water introduction means may be a sparge ball, spray head, one or more spray arms or other means for gently distributing sparge water over the surface of the mashed grains.

A conduit may extend between the primary vessel inlet / outlet means and a recirculated liquid introduction means, and the pump may be configured and located so as to be able to pump liquid from the primary vessel to the recirculated liquid introduction means. The recirculated liquid introduction means may be a liquid inlet means located in a side wall of the primary vessel and mouthing into the primary vessel. The recirculated liquid introduction means may further comprise a conduit connected to or connectable to the mouth of the recirculated liquid introduction means within the primary vessel. The recirculated liquid introduction means may further comprise a nozzle or spray head attached to the end of the conduit inside the primary vessel. The said conduit and, optionally, nozzle are in liquid communication with a liquid inlet means located in in a side wall of the primary vessel.

In some embodiments of the present invention the primary vessel is provided with a plurality of primary vessel liquid inlet / outlet means at least one of which may be connected via a conduit to the sparge tank inlet / outlet means, and one of which may be connected via a conduit to the recirculated liquid introduction means. In such embodiments, each conduit may be associated with an independently controllable pump.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of brewing a beer utilising apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprising the steps of: (i) heating a quantity of water sufficient to act as strike water and sparging water for the brewing process in the primary vessel; (ii) pumping the sparging water into the sparge tank when the water is at a desired temperature; (iii) introducing a portion of an at least partially perforated basket containing a quantity of grains into the strike water remaining in the primary vessel and supporting the basket in position on one or more basket support means so that the grains are fully submerged; (iv) leaving the grains to mash in the strike water so that the strike water becomes wort; (v) raising the basket within the primary vessel until the basket is wholly out of the wort and supporting the basket in position on one or more basket support means; (vi) allowing the grains to drain via the perforations in the basket; (vii) pumping the sparge water from the sparge tank and using the sparge water to sparge the grains; (viii) removing the basket from the primary vessel, emptying the grains therefrom, and cleaning any remaining grains from the basket; (ix) heating the wort in the primary vessel to a desired temperature using a liquid heating means in the primary vessel and maintaining that temperature for a predetermined period of time; (x) placing a predetermined quantity of hops and any other flavourings such as fruits in a basket and placing the basket into the wort at a point in time during the performance of step (ix). The basket is placed so that the hops etc are submerged and retained in position on one or more basket support means; (xi) cooling the wort by circulation of cold liquid through the cooling jacket until the wort reaches a desired temperature; (xii) adding yeast to the wort once it is a desired temperature; (xiii) allowing the wort to ferment in the primary vessel until the fermentation is complete.

Optionally, a further step (0(a) may occur between steps (i) and (H) when the sparge tank is provided with an overflow means that feeds to the primary vessel. Optional step (0(a) comprises pumping the heating strike and sparge water into the sparge tank and allowing excess water in the sparge tank to return to the primary vessel via the overflow means of the sparge tank.

Optional step (0(a) has the benefit that the sparge tank is pre-heated before the sparge water is introduced to the sparge tank. As a result, the temperature loss experienced by the sparge water is lessened relative to using a sparge tank that has not been pre-heated.

Optionally, a further step (iv)(a) may occur between steps (iv) and (v) when the apparatus of the present invention is provided with a conduit means extending between a liquid outlet means in the primary vessel base and a recirculated liquid introduction means and an associated pump.

Optional step (iv)(a) comprises pumping liquid from adjacent the primary vessel base to the recirculated liquid introduction means. In such a step, the recirculated liquid introduction means is located so that liquid exiting the recirculated liquid introduction means is above (when the apparatus of the invention is orientated for use) the grains in the basket and may flow through those grains.

Optionally, a further step (x)(a) may occur between steps (x) and (xi). Optional step (x)(a) comprises removing the basket containing the hops and any other flavourings such as fruits from the wort.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

The present invention will be further described and explained by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a brewing apparatus according to the present invention containing the strike water and sparge water in the primary vessel; Figure 2 shows the brewing apparatus of Figure 1 when the sparge water is in the sparge tank; Figure 3 shows the brewing apparatus of Figure 1 when the basket containing grains is in the primary vessel; Figure 4 shows the brewing apparatus of Figure 1 when the grains are being sparged Figure 5 shows the brewing apparatus of Figure 1 when the wort is being heated in zo the primary vessel; Figure 6 shows the brewing apparatus of Figure 1 when the wort is being boiled and the hops and any other flavourings such as fruits are in the wort; Figure 7 shows the brewing apparatus of Figure 1 when the wort is being fermented.

In the following description all reference to upper, lower, side and similar terminology refer to the directions relative to the apparatus of the invention when orientated for use (the orientation shown in the Figures) in which the primary vessel mouth is vertically uppermost and substantially horizontal.

With reference to Figures 1 to 7, a brewing apparatus (2) is comprised of a primary vessel (4), a sparge tank (6), and a cooling tank (8). The apparatus (2) is supported on and held above a surface supporting the apparatus on legs or other suitable support means (not shown). Such support means may comprise means, such as wheels, that render the apparatus (2) mobile. Such support means may further or in the alternative comprise for attaching the apparatus (2) to a wall, a floor, or other structure to ensure stability of the apparatus (2) when in use.

The primary vessel (4) has a substantially torispherical primary vessel base (10) and a substantially tubular side wall (12). The primary vessel (4) includes a liquid outlet means (14). The primary vessel (4) has a mouth defined by the upper edge of the side wall (12) and is releasably closed by a lid (16). The lid (16) is adapted to releasably close the mouth of the primary vessel (4) in a gas tight fashion.

The inside of the primary vessel (4) is marked, engraved or embossed with calibrations which show the volume of liquid in the primary vessel (4) when it is orientated for use. In alternative embodiments the primary vessel (4) may further comprise a sight glass tube extending from the primary vessel base (10) to the primary vessel mouth which includes volume calibrations.

Mounted on the lid (16) is a sparge head (18). The sparge head (18) is comprised of a passage (not shown) extending through the sparge head (18) from the first end (20) of the sparge head (18) above the lid (16) to the second end (22) of the sparge head (18) below the lid (16). The first end (20) of the sparge head (18) is adapted to be connected to an end of a conduit (not shown) using a releasable clamping system (not shown) such as the TRI-CLAMP (registered trade mark) system available from Alfa Laval.

The passage (not shown) of the sparge head (18) terminates at the second end (22) in a plurality of small nozzles (not shown) which are orientated to cause pressurised liquid exiting the sparge head (18) to exit in a plurality of differently oriented small flows, that is to spray out of the sparge head (18).

A lower portion (24) of the side wall (12) is adjacent the primary vessel base (10) and is surrounded by the cooling tank (8). The cooling tank (8) is a tank extending around the circumference of primary vessel (4), and the lower portion (24) of the side wall (12) is also one of the walls of cooling tank (8). This has the effect that there is a good thermal communication between the contents of the primary vessel (4) and cooling tank (8) via the lower portion (24) of the side wall (12).

The cooling tank (8) has a cooling jacket (cooling tank) liquid inlet means (26) and a cooling jacket (cooling tank) liquid outlet means (28). The cooling tank liquid inlet means (26) and cooling tank liquid outlet means (28) are both adapted to connect to conduits (not shown) using a releasable clamping system such as the TRI-CLAMP (registered trade mark) system. The cooling tank liquid inlet means (26) and cooling tank liquid outlet means (28) both include an isolation valve (not shown). The conduits are connected to a cold water source for the liquid inlet means (26) and a water disposal system (such as a drain or water storage tank) for the liquid outlet 10 means (28).

The cooling tank inlet means (26) and cooling tank outlet means (28) and the internal configuration of the cooling tank (8) are so arranged that the flow path of cooling water from the cooling tank liquid inlet means (26) to the cooling tank liquid outlet means (28) is around the whole circumference of the primary vessel (4). One possible configuration of the cooling tank (8) would be to have the cooling tank liquid inlet means (26) and cooling tank liquid outlet means (28) adjacent to each other and a baffle (not shown) located between the cooling tank liquid inlet means (26) and the cooling tank liquid outlet means (28) preventing direct flow between them.

An upper portion (30) of the side wall (12) is adjacent the mouth of the primary vessel (4) and is surrounded by the sparge tank (6). The sparge tank (6) is a tank extending around the circumference of primary vessel (4), and the upper portion (30) of the side wall (12) is also one of the walls of sparge tank (6). This has the effect that there is a good thermal communication between the contents of the primary vessel (4) and sparge tank (6) via the upper portion (30) of the side wall (12).

The sparge tank (6) is provided with a sparge tank inlet / outlet means (34) mouthing into the lowest portion of the sparge tank. The mouthing of the sparge tank inlet / outlet means (34) into the lowest portion of the sparge tank allows the sparge tank to be fully drained if desired. The sparge tank inlet / outlet means (34) includes an isolation valve (not shown).

The sparge tank (6) is provided with an overflow (32) which comprises a passage between the inside of the sparge tank (6) and the inside of the primary vessel (4). Optionally the overflow (32) may include an isolation valve (not shown).

Fixed to the inside face of the primary vessel (4) are four basket support means (36) of which only two are shown. The basket support means (36) are each comprised of a support bar (not shown) from which extends a plurality of teeth (38). The teeth (38) are spaced along the support bar and each tooth has a substantially horizontal face which faces toward the lid (16) and the mouth of the primary vessel (4). The basket support means (36) are arranged so that corresponding teeth on each support means are all at substantially the same vertical height as each other.

Also fixed inside the primary vessel (4) is a heating element (40). The heating element (40) is located approximately at or around the centre of the primary vessel (4) horizontally and adjacent to the primary vessel base (10). The heating element (40) is an electrical resistance heating element which is controlled by suitable known control means (not shown). The control means may include one or more temperature sensors to determine the temperature at one or more locations inside the primary vessel (4).

With reference to Figures 3, 4 and 6, the brewing apparatus (2) further comprises a basket (42). The basket (42) is open mouthed and has a substantially tubular basket side wall (44) and a basket base (46) attached to a first lower edge of the basket side wall (44). Attached to a second upper edge of basket side wall (44) are four support projections (48) of which only two are shown in the Figures.

The basket side wall (44) is not perforated and is dimensioned so that the outer face of the cylinder is close to the teeth (38) of the basket support means (36) when the basket (42) is placed in the primary vessel (4).

The basket base (46) is a mesh or perforated plate with a mesh size / perforations that are dimensioned so that the grains used in brewing do not pass through the mesh / perforations, in the illustrated embodiment that mesh size / perforation size is about 0.8 mm. In other embodiments the mesh size / perforation size is about 1.0 mm. The basket (42) is formed from metal or other material with a good thermal conductivity.

The support projections (48) are configured and dimensioned to allow the basket (42) to be supported on the horizontal surface of a tooth (38) at a given vertical height on each basket support means (36). The basket (42) may be lowered into the primary vessel (4) with each support projection (46) between a pair of the basket support means (36) until the desired vertical position of the basket (42) is reached. The basket (42) is then rotated in the horizontal plane so that the support projections (48) each come into engagement with a tooth (38) of a basket support means (36). Support projections (48) are then rested on the substantially horizontal surface of the tooth (38).

The basket (42) is provided with one or more means (not shown) to allow a user to lift the basket either between the vertical positions with in the primary vessel (4) or in to and out of the primary vessel (4). The nature of those means will depend on the scale of the brewing apparatus (2) and may be one or more handles for a small brewing apparatus (2) or lifting points suitable for the attachment of hooks for a hoist for a larger brewing apparatus (2).

The brewing apparatus (2) may further include one or more conduits (not shown) and at least one pump (not shown). The conduits are adapted to be releasably connected to the various liquid inlet and or outlet means of the apparatus and may be used to introduce liquid into the primary vessel (4), cooling tank (8) and or sparge tank (6) from an external liquid source; remove liquid from the primary vessel (4), cooling tank (8) and or sparge tank (6) for transfer of liquid to an external location; or transfer of liquid between two of the primary vessel (4), cooling tank (8) and sparge tank (6).

The pump may be a pump suitable for use in association with potable liquids, for example a peristaltic pump.

The use of the brewing apparatus (2) to make a beer or lager will be further described below: With reference to Figure 1, water (50) is introduced into the primary vessel (4) via the primary vessel liquid inlet / outlet means (14). The isolation valve incorporated in that liquid inlet / outlet means (14) is then closed. The volume of the water (50) is the combined strike water and sparge water volume which will be calculated by a brewer or the volume of water may be related to that volume.

The water (50) may optionally be chemically treated using known methods to adjust the mineral content of the water and stirred and / or allowed to stand until that treatment is complete.

Once any water treatment is complete, the water (50) is heated to a predetermined temperature using the heating element (40). Whilst the heating is taking place a conduit and pump are set up to allow the pumping of water (50) out of the primary vessel liquid inlet / outlet means (14) and into the sparge tank (6) via the sparge tank liquid inlet / outlet means (34). The water (50) is continuously pumped into the sparge tank (6) and when the sparge tank (6) is full, the water (50) flows through the overflow means (32) back into the primary vessel (4). This has the effect of heating the sparge tank (6) to the same temperature as the water (50).

Once the water (50) has achieved the desired temperature the pumping of water (50) into the sparge tank (6) is stopped and the isolation valve in the sparge tank inlet / outlet means (34) is closed. As shown in Figure 2, sparge water (52) is then retained in sparge tank (6) and the rest of the water (50) is in the primary vessel (4).

Optionally, temperature adjustment of the water (50) in the primary vessel (4) can now occur, either by heating using heating element (40), or by the addition of cold water via liquid inlet / outlet means (14) or via the mouth of the primary vessel (4).

As shown in Figure 3, grains (54) for use in brewing are placed in the basket (42) and the basket (42) moved into the primary vessel (4). The basket (42) is lowered into the water (50) so that the grains (54) are submerged.

The grains (54) are allowed to soak (mash) in the water (50) for a predetermined length of time. If required, the controller for the heating element (40) can be set to monitor the temperature of the water (50) and energise the heating element (40) if the temperature needs to be increased.

Optionally as the time for soaking (mashing) the grains nears the end, a conduit (not shown) may be attached to the primary vessel liquid inlet / outlet means (14) and a recirculated liquid introduction means (not shown) via a pump. The water (50) which is now becoming wort (56) may then be withdrawn from the bottom of the primary vessel (4) and reintroduced to the primary vessel (4) above the basket (42). This can create a flow of wort (56) through the grains (54). When this occurs, the grains (54) act as a filter and the flow of wort (56) through the grains (54) cleans small particulates out of the wort (56).

Once the mashing time is over, and any optional recirculation of the wort (56) is complete, the basket (42) is, as shown in Figure 4, lifted and engages with the basket support means (36) in such a position that the basket (42) is clear of the wort (56). A conduit is attached to sparge tank inlet / outlet means (34) and, via an associated pump, the upper end (20) of the sparge ball (18). The isolation valve of the sparge tank inlet / outlet means (34) is opened and the pump used to pump the sparge water (52) into the sparge head (18) and out of the second end (22) of the sparge head (18) as a spray (58) of sparge water (52). That sparge water (52) will percolate through the grains (54) washing them of the desirable sugars and other substances developed by the grains during the mashing. The sparge water (52) will then drain out of the basket (42) via the mesh / perforations of the basket base (46) and mix in with the wort (56).

Once the sparging is complete, the lid (16) of the primary vessel (4) is removed, the basket (42) removed from the primary vessel (4), and the lid (16) returned to the position where it closes the mouth of the primary vessel (4). Once the basket (42) has been removed from the primary vessel (4) it is emptied of grains, cleaned and made ready for future use.

As shown in Figure 5, the wort (56) is now left in the primary vessel (4) and heated using the heating element (40). The heating of the wort (56) occurs until it is boiling. The wort (56) is maintained at a boiling temperature until a predetermined period has passed. During that time, as shown in Figure 6, the basket (42) containing some hops and any other flavourings such as fruits (60) (hereafter collectively "hops") is reintroduced into the primary vessel (4) and located so that the hops (60) are submerged in the wort (56).

Once the wort (56) has been boiled for the predetermined period, the basket (42) is 10 removed from the primary vessel (4) and the hops (60) likewise removed.

Whilst the wort (56) is boiling, if it has not occurred before, the first ends of first and second conduits (not shown) are connected to the cooling tank inlet means (26) and cooling tank outlet means (28). The second ends of the first and second conduits are connected to a cold water source (not shown) and a drain (not shown) respectively.

Once the wort (56) has finished boiling, cold water (62) is caused to flow from the cold water source into the cooling tank (8) via the first conduit and the cooling tank inlet means (26), through the cooling tank (8), and out of the cooling tank to the drain via the cooling tank outlet means (28) and the second conduit. Heat energy passes through the wall portion (24) from the wort (56) into the cold water (62) and as a result the wort (56) is cooled.

Once the wort (56) has been sufficiently cooled, yeast is added to the wort and the wort fermented until fermentation is complete. The resultant beer or lager is then transferred to one or more suitable vessels such as bottles, kegs or barrels for storage and maturation via the primary vessel inlet / outlet (14).

Claims

CLAIMS1 A brewing apparatus comprising a primary vessel, a sparge tank, and a cooling jacket, characterised in that the primary vessel comprises a primary vessel base, one or more primary vessel side walls and at least one primary vessel liquid inlet / outlet means, the edges of the primary vessel side walls remote from the primary vessel base define a primary vessel mouth, the cooling jacket comprises a heat exchange means, the cooling jacket surrounds a portion of the primary vessel side wall or walls adjacent the primary vessel base, the sparge tank comprises at least one inlet / outlet means, and the sparge tank surrounds a portion of the primary vessel side wall or walls adjacent the primary vessel mouth.
2 An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the cooling jacket comprises a liquid tight cooling tank having a cooling jacket inlet means and a cooling jacket outlet means, the cooling jacket inlet and outlet means are in fluid communication with each other via the cooling tank, and the inside of the primary vessel and the inside of the cooling tank are in thermal communication with each other.
3 An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the portion of the primary vessel side wall or walls that are surrounded by the cooling tank also comprises a wall or walls of the cooling tank.
4 An apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the portion of the primary vessel side wall or walls that are surrounded by the sparge tank also comprise a wall or walls of the sparge tank.
5 An apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the sparge tank further comprises an overflow port, and the overflow port comprises a conduit which allows liquid communication between a portion of the sparge tank that is furthest from the primary vessel base and the inside of the primary vessel.
6 An apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the primary vessel further comprises at least one basket support means, and the or each basket support means is adapted to support a basket in a plurality of positions within the primary vessel.
7 An apparatus according to claim 6 in which the plurality of positions within the primary vessel are at a plurality of distances from the primary vessel base.
8 An apparatus according to claim 7 in which the or each basket support means is comprised of a plurality of support surfaces, and each support surface is a different distance from the primary vessel base.
9 An apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the apparatus further comprises a basket, and the basket is dimensioned and configured to be reversibly insertable into the primary vessel via the primary vessel mouth.
An apparatus according to claim 9 in which the basket is comprised of one or more lifting means and one or more walls, in which at least one wall is perforated, or formed from a mesh.
11 An apparatus according to claim 10 in which the perforations / mesh apertures are less than one of 5mm, 4mm, 3mm, 2mm or 1mm in their shortest dimension.
12 An apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11 in which the basket is further comprised of one or more means suitable to reversibly engage with one or more basket support means within the primary vessel.
13 An apparatus according to any proceeding claim in which the apparatus further comprises at least one liquid heating means.
14 An apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the apparatus further comprises a recirculated liquid introduction means, the recirculated liquid introduction means comprises a recirculated liquid inlet means and a mouth, and the mouth mouths into the inside of the primary vessel.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the apparatus further comprises at least one conduit and a pump in which the conduit is adapted to extend between a liquid inlet / outlet means of the apparatus and an external liquid source or destination, or between two liquid inlet / outlet means of the apparatus.
16 An apparatus according to claim 15 in which pump is a peristaltic pump.
17 A method of brewing a beer utilising apparatus according to any of claims 1 to io 16 comprising the steps of: heating a quantity of water sufficient to act as strike water and sparging water for the brew in the primary vessel; pumping the sparging water to the sparge tank when the water is at a desired temperature; and introducing at least a portion of a basket containing a quantity of mash grains into the water remaining in the primary vessel and supporting the basket in position on one or more basket support means such that the grains are fully submerged.
18 A method of brewing a beer according to claim 17 further comprising the steps of: raising the basket within the primary vessel until the basket is wholly out of the strike water / wort and supporting the basket in position on one or more basket support means, allowing the grains to drain; using the water in the sparge tank to sparge the grains.
19 A method of brewing a beer according to claim 17 or 18 further comprising the steps of: removing the basket from the primary vessel and emptying the grains therefrom; heating the wort in the primary vessel to a desired temperature using a liquid heating means in the primary vessel; placing a predetermined quantity of hops and, optionally, any other flavourings such as fruits in a basket and placing the basket into the wort so that the hops and other optional flavorings are submerged and supporting the basket in position on one or more basket support means.A method of brewing a beer according to any of claims 17 to 19 further comprising the steps of: cooling the wort by circulation cold liquid through the cooling jacket; adding yeast to the wort once it is a desired temperature; allowing the wort to ferment in the primary vessel until the fermentation is complete.