GB2077759A - Brewing alcoholic beverages and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for brewing beer and the like comprises several vessels (11, 12, 13) of similar construction, each mounted on a plinth (20) which is connectable in edge to edge relationship with the other plinths (20). Pumps (15, 16), a cooling device (18), a manifold (14) and a refrigeration device (19) are also mounted on a similar plinth (20). The apparatus (10) is thus of modular form and is adaptable for any premises, and for any quantity of liquor production by addition or subtraction of vessels (13) and associated pipework (17). The manifold (14) has variable fluid flow connections therein so that the vessels (11, 12, 13) and pumps (15, 16) can be selectively put in connection with each other for transferring the liquid from one vessel to another. Each vessel (11, 12, 13) has a perforate floor above a conical bottom and liquid outlet and one vessel (11) has an electrical heater disposed therein. In operation water is heated in vessel 11, passed to vessel 12 where it is mixed with hops, malt or barley to form a wort, and then returned to vessel 11 for reheating before being transferred to the fermentation vessels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Brewing alcoholic beverages and apparatus therefor This invention relates to a method for brewing alcoholic beverages and to apparatus therefor.

In the brewing of beers and the like alcoholic beverages on a commercial scale it is customary to make use of several vessels or containers in which the various steps of the brewing process are performed. Such vessels, the connecting pipework, pumps and the requisite heating and cooling apparatus form a large installation usually requiring purpose built premises. In consequence such installations are costly to set up and the that cost is reflected in the cost of brewing the beer in such an installation. Cleaning of such an installation is a time consuming operation and is necessary at frequent intervals, thus adding to the cost of the brewing operation by virtue of both non-operational time and the labour involved. Beer and the like produced in such apparatus is transported to the retail outlets and transportation costs also add considerably to the retail cost of the beer.

It has been proposed to perform all of the various steps in the process of brewing beer and the like in a single vessel. Such a process is particularly suitable for production of beer on a domestic scale but is not suited to a commercial production of beer and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus in which beer and the like may be brewed, which apparatus is less costiy to install than the commercial installations used heretofore, is suitable for installation in any premises, can be readily adapted to the production of different quantities of the beverage and can be cleaned in a quick and simple manner. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of brewing alcoholic beverages which is suitable for commercial production but by means of which the costs involved in such production are minimised.

The invention provides apparatus for the brewing of alcoholic beverages comprising a first brewing vessel, a second brewing vessel, one or a plurality of fermenting vessels, a plurality of fluid flow paths extending between said vessels and a manifold, said manifold having variable fluid flow connections therein whereby said vessels may be selectively put in fluid flow connection with each other and with pump means adapted to pump fluid along selected fluid flow paths.

The invention also provides a method of brewing alcoholic beverages comprising the steps of heating a liquid in a first brewing vessel, transferring said heated liquid to a second brewing vessel, mixing a wort fluid in said second vessel, transferring said wort fluid from said second vessel to said first vessel heating said wort fluid therein and transferring said wort fluid to one or a plurality of fermenting vessels, said transferring steps being performed by pumping said liquid or wort fluid through a manifold and varying fluid flow connections in said manifold to selectively put said vessel in fluid flow connection with each other and pump means.

The first vessel may include heating means whereby said fluid is heated in said first vessel, said heating means preferably comprising an electric heating element disposed within said first vessel.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Figs. 3A to 3F are diagrammatic representations of the connections of the manifold of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 during various steps in the process; Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a vessel of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the vessel of Fig. 4.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown a beverage brewing apparatus denoted generally by the numeral 10 and comprising a first brewing vessel 1 1, a second brewing vessel 12, three fermenting vessels 13, a manifold 14 and two pumps 15, 1 6. Connecting the vessels 11, 12, 13 the manifold 14 and pumps 15, 1 6 is a plurality of pipes 1 7 which form liquid flow paths as will be described hereinafter. A heat exchanger or fluid cooler 1 8 and refrigeration apparatus 1 9 are also provided.The manifold 14, pumps 15, 16, cooling means 1 8 and refrigeration apparatus 19; and each vessel 11, 12, 13, are mounted on individual plinths 20 which are of square planform and adapted to receive the respective item or items of apparatus. The plinths 20 are also adapted to be connected to each other along any adjacent sides so that the layout of the brewing apparatus 10 can be arranged as desired to suit the building in which the apparatus is installed. In addition further vessels may be incorporated into the apparatus 10, each on its own plinth 2C if greater capacity of brewing apparatus is required, or one or more fermenting vessels 13 removed if a lesser capacity is required.In this way the apparatus is readily adapted to any premises and to any desired brewing capacity without the major expense of replacing the items of apparatus such as have been used heretofore.

Referring now to Fig. 2 and 3A to 3F, the operation of the brewing apparatus 10 is as follows. Brewing vessel 11 is filled with water from a supply thereof 21 by linking manifold 14 connections J and K. The incoming water may be partially preheated by being passed through the heat exchanger/cooler 1 8. The water is heated in vessel 11 by means of an electrical immersion heater 22 and the vessel 11 fulfills the role of the hot liquor tank of the conventional brewing apparatus. When the water in vessel 11 is at the required temperature it is transferred to vessel 1 2 by means of the pumps 1 5 and 1 6 in parallel. The manifold connections linked for this operation are as shown in Fig. 3A, namely H to A and B, C and D to G.Vessel 11 may be topped-up if required with cold water from supply 21 by linking connections J and K as before. The heated water or strike liquor supplied to vessel 12 is mixed with ingredients appropriate to the beverage to be brewed, e.g. hops, malt, barley or the like as they are fed to vessel 12 through inlet hopper 23. The vessel 12 fulfills the role of the mash tun of the conventional brewing apparatus and the mixture of hot water and the aforementioned ingredients forms the wort fluid therein. The floor 24 of vessel 1 2 is perforate so that the wort fluid may be separated from the grist, so that vessel 12 also fulfills the role of the under beck of conventional brewing apparatus.

The wort fluid is then transferred to vessel 11 in order that it may be reheated, in which case vessel 11 fulfills the role of the copper of conventional brewing apparatus. The wort fluid feeds by gravity from vessel 12 to a detachable tray 47 fitted to the manifold and is then pumped to vessel 11. The manifold 14 connections linked during this operation are as shown in Fig. 3B, namely I to the tray 47 and from the tray 47 to A and B and C and D to K. Thus pumps 1 5 and 16 transfer wort fluid to vessel 11 the copper, from vessel 12, the mash tun. Vessel 11 has a perforate floor 25 so that vessel 11 also fulfills the role of the hot beck of conventional brewing apparatus.

When the wort fluid has been maintained at a high temperature for a sufficient length of time and is sufficiently free of grist it is transferred to the fermentation vessels 13. The manifold 14 connections linked during this operation are as shown in Fig. 3C, namely H to A and B, C and D to E, so that both pumps 1 5 and 16 are used.

Between manifold 14 and the fermenting vessels 13 the wort fluid passes through a heat exchange cooler 18 where it is cooled by cold supply water being passed therethrough. The cooled wort passes into the fermenting vessels 13 through open spray balls 28 whereby the wort fluid is aerated, and it is then mixed with any further ingredients, including yeast, in the fermenting vessels 13, valves 30 being closed at this stage. Attached to the fermenting vessels 1 3 are cooling panels 29 which maintain the fermenting liquor at the desired temperature for the required period of time, for example four days.

Cooling panels 29 are maintained in a cool condition by circulation of liquid from refrigeration apparatus 19. This apparatus 1 9 is not shown in detail since in conventional manner it comprises a motor, pump, compressor, liquor chiller and chilled liquid storage tank.

Whilst either vessel 11 or 12 is empty of wort, grist may be removed from floor 24 or 25, through a closable aperture (not shown) in the wall of the vessel. Conveniently heater 22 provides the means for closing such an aperture in vessel 11.

When the liquor in the fermenting vessels has matured for a sufficient period of time the liquor is transferred to barrels or like containers. Valves 30 are opened and the liquor feeds by gravity to tray 47 and thence by use of pumps 1 5 and/or 1 6 to the barrels or the like. The manifold 14 connections linked during this operation are as shown in Fig. 3D, namely L to tray 47 and tray 47 to A and/or B; C and/or D to a delivery pipe (not shown) depending upon whether one or both pumps 15 and 16 are used.

By means of the apparatus of the invention convenient in-place cleaning (IPC) may be performed. For example, whilst the liquor is fermenting in vessels 13 the remainder of the apparatus may be cleaned by circulating hot water therethrough as follows.

Vessel 11 is filled with water from supply 21 by linking connections J and K as before, and the water is heated by heater 22. The manifold 14 connections are linked as shown in Fig. 3E, namely H to A, C to E, L to K, with spray bails 28 closed, or as shown in Fig. 3B. When the apparatus has been cleaned sufficiently connections I and L are connected to waste so as to expel the cleaning water from the apparatus 10.

Similarly, the fermenting vessels 1 3 may be cleaned whilst the apparatus is empty or whilst the wort is in vessel 12, by linking connections H to A, C to E, Lto Band D to K with spray balls 28 and valves 30 open, as shown in Fig. 3F. In this way each part of the apparatus 10 may be conveniently cleaned whilst other parts of the apparatus are being used in the brewing of the beverages, thus saving time and labour.

Conveniently each of the vessels 11, 12 and 13 are identical so that only one type of vessel need be manufactured. As previously mentioned a closable aperture in vessel 1 2 provides access for removal of grist. The corresponding aperture in vessel 11 provides a mounting for heater 22.

Corresponding apertures in vessels 1 3 are blanked off. Again conveniently each vessel has attachment means for cooling panels 29 or such panels are integral with the vessel. Such attachment means or the panels are unused in the cases of vessels 11 and 12. The construction of such a vessel is as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Each vessel 11, 12 and 13, comprises a cylindrical metal tank 31 enclosed in insulating material 32. A lid 33 comprises two semi-circular parts 34,35 which are folded along their free diametral edges to form cooperating parts of a hinge 36. Part 34 is secured to the tank 31 and has a pipe 1 7 passing therethrough as shown in Fig. 1 to the spray ball 28. Part 35 has a handle 37 attached thereto to facilitate the examination of the interior of the vessel. The lid 33 has a sheath of rubber 38 enclosing a sheet metal insert 39, the rubber sheath 38 facilitating sealing of the lid 33 onto the tank 31 during the brewing operation.

The vessel 11, 12, 13 is supported on plinth 20 by means of four feet 40, the plinth 20 comprising box members 41 welded together into a rectangular planform and having corner gussets 42 welded to adjacent box members 41.

The base 43 of the vessel 11, 12, 13 is conical and has an exit pipe 44 welded thereto at the apex and ieading to a connection 45 for a pipe 1 7 whereby the vessel may be emptied of fluid. The floor 24,25 of the vessel 11, 12, 13 is fabricated from slatted wedge wire so as to provide a plurality of apertures 48 therein.

By construction of vessels 11, 12 and 13 in the same manner only one type of vessel need be manufactured, thus reducing manufacturing costs.

Also only one form of vessel need be kept in reserve for use in the event that a greater brewing capacity of the apparatus is required. The apparatus, being of 'modular' construction is thereby readily adaptable to changes in the brewing capacity by the addition or removal of vessels and plinths and the connection of additional, or removal of some pipes 1 7. Also the layout of the apparatus is readily adapted to any premises. The multiplicity of roles performed by vessels 11 and 12 provides that the number of vessels required for the brewing process is reduced by comparison with conventional brewing apparatus, thereby further reducing the cost of the intallation. Also the apparatus is adapted to a simple and convenient method of in-place cleaning, parts of the apparatus being cleaned whilst other parts of the apparatus are being used in the brewing process. The use of an electrical heater 22 obviates the need for the conventional steam generating plant, thereby again reducing the cost of the installation and making the apparatus more readily adaptable to any premises.

Claims (18)

1. Apparatus for brewing alcoholic beverages comprising a first brewing vessel, a second brewing vessel, one or a plurality of fermenting vessels, a plurality of fluid flow paths extending between said vessels and a manifold, said manifold having a variable fluid flow connections therein whereby said vessels may be selectively put in fluid flow connection with each other and with pump means adapted to pump fluid along selected fluid flow paths.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first brewing vessel includes heating means adapted to heat fluid contained in said first brewing vessel.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said heating means comprises an electrical heating element disposed within said first brewing vessel.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 ro 3 wherein said vessels are of like construction.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each tank comprises a metal cylindrical tank enclosed in heat insulation material.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein each vessel comprises a perforate floor therein.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each vessel has a conical bottom beneath said floor and an outlet provided in said bottom.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each vessel is mounted on a plinth.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each plinth is adapted for connection to a like plinth in adjacent edge to edge disposition.

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising a cooling device.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said manifold, said pump means and said cooling device are mounted on a plinth which is adapted for connection to a like plinth in adjacent edge to edge disposition.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a cooling panel in respect of the or each fermenting vessel and attached thereto.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 comprising refrigeration apparatus adapted to circulate refrigerant through the or each cooling panel.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said paths comprise a plurality of pipes at least some of which are flexible.

1 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said paths comprises a plurality of pipes having detachable joints therebetween.

1 6. Apparatus for brewing alcoholic beverages substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the various figures of the accompanying drawings.

1 7. A method of brewing alcoholic beverages comprising the steps of heating a liquid in a first brewing vessel, transferring said heated liquid to a second brewing vessel, mixing a wort fluid in said second vessel, transferring said wort fluid from said second vessel to said first vessel, heating said wort fluid therein and transferring said wort fluid to one or a plurality of fermenting vessels, said transferring steps being performed by pumping said liquid or wort fluid through a manifold and varying fluid flow connections in said manifold to selectively put said vessels in fluid flow connection with each other and pump means.

18. A method according to claim 17 comprising cooling said wort fluid as it is transferred from said first vessel to the fermenting vessel or vessels.

1 9. A method of brewing alcoholic beverages substantially as hereinbefore described.