WO2010130012A1

WO2010130012A1 - Home brew fermenter system and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010130012A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/000576
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Andrew Burge; Giles Cameron Mcdonald
Original assignee: Coopers Brewery Limited
Priority date: 2009-05-15
Filing date: 2010-05-17
Publication date: 2010-11-18
Also published as: AU2010201943B2; AU2010201943A1

Abstract

A fermentation assembly is described within which fermentation can occur. The assembly includes a vessel and a collar arranged to adjustably vary the height of the side wall to allow the foam created on the surface of fermenting solution to remain within the assembly. The vessel has at least one side wall forming a vessel top opening and a collar member is shaped to lie adjacent a portion of the inside surface of the at least one wall forming the top opening of the vessel. The collar extends both internally and externally of the vessel to extend the height of the vessel for use during fermentation. There is provided a spacing between the collar and the side wall/s of the vessel such that gasses formed during a fermentation process occurring within the fermentation assembly can migrate between the at least one side wall and the collar member, the collar member also forming a height extended vessel top opening toped by a lid which may also allow for the egress of gasses but retain the foam which grows in volume within the fermentation assembly. A two part tap is also disclosed for drafting the liquid from the fermentation assembly.

Description

HOME BREW FERMENTER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS

This invention relates generally to home brew kits and in particular to the fermenter apparatus of such kits.

BACKGROUND

The brewing of beers including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers has been a personal and home- based pastime for a very long time. To cater for first-time brewers while at the same time providing for repeat brewers there exist kits containing all the relevant ingredients and instructions to facilitate the making of beer. Kits of this type are sold from specialist and supermarket outlets. Home brew ingredient kits do not typically include the containers within which the brew is to be fermented, air locks, taps, bottles, caps, and other equipment as are required. The quantity of ingredients in the kits and the volume of the compatible apparatus is matched and directed primarily to the home brew marketplace. However, some home brewers can obtain the apparatus and starter kits which are sold separately. More serious home brewers acquire the highest quality of individual ingredients, as well as a variety of the many different home brew kits available from a variety of homebrew kit manufacturers, as well as alternative and supplementary ingredients with which to experiment and perfect one or more home brew products to satisfy their particular taste. Indeed some serious home brewers acquire and use industrial quality apparatus when available.

A typical first-time home brewer will tend to purchase a home brew apparatus kit containing a 30 litre plastic fermenter, lid and rubber 'O' ring, a tap, washer and sediment reducer, an airlock and rubber grommet, a thermometer, a hydrometer and a bottling valve and tube. These items can be reused as long as appropriate sanitisation procedures are followed after each use and prior to each use.

All starter kits contain written instructions and some contain audiovisual recordings to assist the first-time user of those kits.

Additional items such as bottles and caps will be required and are sometimes supplied in starter kits.

The largest item in those kits is the fermenter vessel and its associated lid typically accompanied by a seal of some description. The fermenter will also have an aperture at its base for the attachment of a tap so as to allow for the draining of liquid from the vessel and the lid will have an aperture suitable for fitment of an airlock which allows gases to be released from the volume of the fermenter vessel during the fermenting process. The tap is typically a simple stop cock valve which is an OEM item typically made of food grade material, preassembled, and not designed for disassembly thus making it difficult to clean. Further the fermenter vessel has threads for engaging with the tap and these are also difficult to clean.

The airlock and its associated grommet is fitted to the lid of the fermenter vessel so as to allow gases created during the fermenting process to escape while preventing atmospheric gases entering the interior of the fermenter vessel. The airlock in this arrangement works in conjunction with a seal between the lid and the body of the fermenter vessel so as to ensure that the only escape route for gasses is via the airlock and also to ensure atmospheric gases remain external of the fermenter vessel. The vessel and lid thus need to be compatible so that the seal performs its primary function. Indeed home brewers do not always provide a good working seal which can allow gasses to escape without flowing through the air lock. An undesirable consequence of that is that the brewer may believe that fermentation has ceased because of the lack of gas flow through the airlock, when in fact fermentation on going, but the gasses are escaping via a poor seal. Incorrect determination of the end of fermentation is a common mistake for home brewers. Yet further, the seal becomes just another of the equipment elements that requires maintenance and appropriate sanitisation.

During fermentation it is possible for the fermenting solution to create so much foam that it can force the airlock out of its position, bubble through the airlock itself, or worst of all force liquid from the air lock making it ineffective. This is not only messy but also can quickly disturb or spoil the fermenting process.

Yet further the internal shape of the fermenter vessel commonly includes small radius curves which are in, one example associated with indents in the upper portion of the vessel to provide a holding or carrying space on the outside of the vessel. These small radius curves are difficult to clean. In a further example, the decreased internal diameter of the upper region of the vessel near a top opening can hinder accessibility for cleaning of its interior.

The various problems associated with the existing apparatus are minimised or eliminated or at least an alternative is provided by the invention disclosed here in.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of the invention a fermentation assembly within which fermentation can occur, the assembly including, a vessel having at least one side wall forming a vessel top opening; and a collar member shaped to lie adjacent a portion of the inside surface of the at least one wall forming the top opening of the vessel and extending both internally and externally of the vessel to extend the height of the vessel for use during fermentation and such that gasses formed during a fermentation process occurring within the fermentation assembly can migrate between the at least one side wall and the collar member, the collar member also forming a height extended vessel top opening.

In a further aspect of the invention the fermentation assembly further includes a lid to cover the height extended vessel top opening and a portion of which fits within the extended vessel top opening, the lid shaped so as to provide a spacing between the lid and the collar forming the extended vessel top opening to allow the passage of gasses formed during a fermentation process occurring within the fermentation assembly, from the interior of the extended height vessel to the atmosphere external of the vessel.

In yet a further aspect the fermentation assembly further includes a viewing portion in at least one side wall to allow viewing of the movement of foam and liquids between the vessel and the collar and also, at times, the viewing portion allows viewing of the interior of the vessel from outside the vessel.

In yet a further aspect of the fermentation assembly wherein the lid is shaped so as to cover both the vessel top opening and the height extended vessel top opening of the collar.

In yet another aspect the fermentation assembly all of the at least one side walls of the vessel are upwardly and outwardly sloped at the base of the vessel so as to encourage the settling of the heaviest fermentation product.

In yet a further aspect of the fermentation assembly the space between the outer wall of the collar located adjacent the inside wall of the vessel is sufficient to promote wicking of the fermentation product so as to indicate fermentation activity through the viewing portion.

In yet a further aspect of the fermentation assembly the material of the vessel and the collar are scratch resistant.

In yet another aspects of the fermentation assembly the vessel is stackable within the collar, and the vessel is stackable within another vessel and as well the collar is stackable within another collar.

In yet another aspect the fermentation assembly has a drafting opening near the base of the vessel for drafting off fermented liquid and the fermentation assembly further including a tap adapted for fitment to the drafting opening without fitment elements. In another aspect of the invention there is a two part tap connectable to a vessel for drafting of liquid from the vessel, which is shaped and arranged to allow the two parts to be separable only when not connected to the vessel.

Throughout this specification and the claims that follow unless the context requires otherwise, the words 'comprise' and 'include' and variations such as 'comprising' and 'including' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

A detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of the fermenter assembly vessel and lid in place;

Fig. 2 depicts an expanded view of the fermenter assembly showing the vessel, the collar, and the lid;

Fig. 3 depicts a side view of a partial cross-section of the fermenter assembly of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 depicts a side view of a partial cross-section of the fermenter assembly of Fig.2;

Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of the stacking ability of parts of the fermenter assembly;

Fig. 6a depicts a perspective view of the vessel showing a viewing portion insert location; Fig. 6b depicts a sectional top view of the viewing portion and insert;

Fig. 6c depicts a sectional side view of the viewing portion and insert;

Fig. 7a depicts a rear view of the vessel; Fig. 7b depicts a left side view of the vessel; Fig. 7c depicts a front side view of the vessel; Fig. 7d depicts a right side view of the vessel; Fig. 8a depicts a perspective view of the top of the vessel; Fig. 8b depicts a perspective view of the base of the vessel;

Fig. 9a depicts a bottom view of the top of the collar; Fig. 9b depicts a perspective view of the collar; Fig. 10a depicts a perspective top view of the lid; Fig. 10b depicts a perspective bottom view of the lid; Fig. 1 1 depicts a side view of the tap in place in the vessel;

, Fig. 12 depicts a front view of the tap;

Fig. 13 depicts a perspective view of the tap in place in the vessel; and Fig. 14 depicts a perspective view of the tap in two parts.

DETAILS DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The fermenting vessel 10 is used for fermentation which is a step in the beer brewing process, which starts when yeast is added to wort in a vessel. During fermentation, sugars are metabolised into alcohol and carbon dioxide. As the sugar is metabolised, fermentation gradually slows down until the end of fermentation, when the beer is ready for further treatment such as conditioning, filtering or bottling. For home brewers, beer is bottled directly after fermentation has ended, for secondary fermentation and storage.

Fermentation typically takes between 4 and 7 days to complete, but this can vary depending on many factors, such as the temperature at which the fermenting wort is kept, the type of brew or the amount of yeast. However, it is important to accurately determine when fermentation has ended. As carbon dioxide gas is produced during fermentation, if the beer is bottled too early, this can result in a build up of pressure and eventually bottles may explode. On the other hand, if left to ferment for too long, the brew may spoil. A thermometer is conveniently provided on the side of the vessel but there are many other ways to determine temperature.

End of fermentation is currently determined when the specific gravity (SG) becomes stable over 24 hours (or reaches final gravity (FG)). The brewer will check for FG once it appears that carbon dioxide production has ceased.

The assembly 10 includes a lid 12 and a vessel 14 with a tap 16 as depicted in Fig. 1. The vessel 14 as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 is configured as having a continuous single vertical wall (appearing as sectioned because of the shaped created by the moulding process) and a unitary base again appearing sectioned, but there could be multiple walls liquid sealed to provide a suitable fermenting vessel.

Note that like numerals are used to identify like elements in all the figures associated with this specification.

When the assembly is to be used it is set up in the manner depicted in Figure 2 which shows a collar 18 lowered into the interior of the vessel 14 and Figures 3 and 4 depict a cross-sectional view of the collar 18 sitting in place in the vessel 14 with the Hd 12 also in place. The vessel 14 has a least one side wall forming a vessel top opening 22 and the collar member 18 is shaped to lie adjacent a portion of the inside surface of the wall forming the top opening of the vessel. The collar member 18 also extends both internally and externally of the vessel 14 so as to extend the height of the vessel for use during fermentation. The shape of the vessel and collar allow gases formed during a fermentation process to migrate between the side wall of the vessel and the collar member. The collar member 18 forms a height extending vessel top opening 24. The space between the outer wall of the collar 18 located adjacent the inside wall of the vessel 14 is sufficient to promote wicking of the fermentation product.

The vessel 14 of the fermentation assembly is loaded with the necessary ingredients, often as supplied in the kit and as indicated in the accompanying instructions. As part of the fermenting process appropriate temperatures are maintained in the vicinity of the fermentation assembly for as long as it takes to achieve end of fermentation.

The process of fermentation often creates a great deal of foam at the top of the fermenting liquid, sometimes referred to as the "krausen". This foam rises into the volume above the fermenting liquid, and in prior art fermenting vessels sometimes rises through the air lock located at the upper most portion of the volume of the vessel. Furthermore, although the foam is continually active during fermentation it does tend to form a crust about the rim of the collar, and in a prior art vessel it is formed on the inner rim portion of that vessel which can be in some vessels just where handles are moulded in to the shape of the vessel. Since the temperature and moisture content within the fermentation assembly eventually subsides the foam forms a hardened crust or scum on the inner surface of the collar, which in this embodiment of the invention is not on or in the vessel because of the use of the collar 18. It is particularly advantageous that the collar can be readily removed once the foam has collapsed back into the wort to allow the inner wall/s of the vessel to be wiped clean of the most recent crust formation while it is still fresh and not hardened. This cleaning process does not disturb the fermentation process and permits the vessel to be used in substantially clean state for the remaining processes involved in fermentation. The collar 18 provides additional height to the vessel during the fermentation process, and conveniently the collar can be removed from the vessel and cleaned separately, as it has a more manageable shape than the vessel, and if appropriate materials are selected for the collar it may be cleaned in a dish washer. The collar can also in an embodiment move up and down in a piston like manner in concert with the height of the foam.

Not only does the collar 18 provide increased internal height for the vessel 14, it is shaped to also provide a gap between the inner side of the vessel 14 and the outer facing side of the collar 18. The space or spaces provided allows the fermenting liquid and foam to move and be wicked between the sides of the collar and the wall as the remainder of the foam moves by way of convection throughout the volume of the vessel and the raised internal height provided by the collar. This movement can be made visible by the provision of a viewing portion in a wall of the vessel, to permit viewing into the space between the collar and the vessel. An embodiment of a viewing portion in this embodiment a window 20 is depicted in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6.

Fermentation can also be observed through the provision of a viewing portion in at least one of the walls of the vessel at a level below the lower portion of the collar 18 where ever it may be in height with respect to the wall of the vessel.

In one embodiment disclosed in the specification, a single window 20 is provided as a separate part to the vessel which when in place in a wall of the vessel, allows observation by the user of both the space between the vessel and the collar as, well at times, into the vessel itself. The window 20 is arranged to be vertical with respect to the vessel and in the embodiment depicted is narrow with respect to the width of the wall but wide enough to allow a user to view the action of fermentation occurring within the vessel.

Unless a prior art vessel was made wholly of glass or other translucent material, the home brewer using such vessels was not able to readily determine whether fermentation was ongoing or getting close to end of fermentation other than to open any closure and risk potentially damaging temperature change and/or contamination. Although such an action is not excluded from being used by a user of the fermentation assembly, as the determination of end of fermentation can be achieved in a number of ways.

More about the viewing portion (window 20) of the embodiment will be described later in the specification. Figures 3 and 4 depict partial cross-sectional views of the fermentation assembly from 2 sides having the collar 18 located within the vessel 14. Not shown clearly is a gap between the collar and the vessel sufficient to allow gases to egress from the fermentation assembly although most gas may egress the fermentation assembly from below the lid 12.

Figure 4 depicts cross-sectional views of two clips 26 which are located on the periphery of the collar 18 and the lid 12. It will be noted that the clips 26 are shaped so as to clip only on the sides of the assembly illustrated in Figure 4. These clips are not so firm in their fixing of the lid and collar together as to not allow gases to egress the fermentation assembly. They do however predominantly ensure that vigorous foam generation by the fermenting brew does not egress the fermentation assembly and encourages the piston like movement of the collar described previously.

Figure 5 depicts the stacking ability of the vessel 14 within the collar 18 (since the height extended vessel top opening 24 is larger than the base portion of the vessel 14 although the tap 16 will need to be removed from the indented drafting opening region 23 (Figure 2)), as well as the ability for the Hd 12 to be inverted and located partially within the vessel top opening 22. Clearly, the interior of the vessel can be used to conveniently store the tap and other items that may be required by the purchaser of a fermentation assembly. The stacking ability disclosed allows one version of stacking for the minimisation of the packaging volume of the assembly.

Figure 6A discloses one embodiment of a viewing portion, depicted using a front perspective view of a vessel 14 showing having a vertically orientated elongate aperture 28 located in a side wall thereof, extending from just above the base of the vessel to just below the vessel top opening 22. Clearly that aperture needs to be liquid sealed (which includes gaseous sealing as well) and in this embodiment a clear plastic lens element 30 (shown in Figure 6a) is provided. Specific abutment details for the sides and top portions of the lens 30 are shown in Figures 6b and 6c respectively. While the fermentation assembly is in use (that is while incorporating the height extending collar 14) the viewing portion in this embodiment a window 20, as detailed above and formed by lens 30 in aperture 28, extends above and below the bottom of the collar 18, thus allowing observation by the user of the internal volume of the vessel as well as the space between the collar and the vessel. The lens 30 may have graduations showing the volume of the vessel in any convenient measure, in this embodiment, litres are shown. The lens is joined to the vessel body by an over moulding process readily known to those skilled in the art.

Not shown pictorially, as the method of manufacture will be well known to those in the art, is a viewing portion created in much the same position as the window 20 described above and depicted in Figure 6 A, wherein the viewing portion involves the provision of a suitably shaped thinner wall portion of the vessel and appropriate polishing of the outer surface and possibly inner surface of the vessel over the thinner wall portion, so as to make the otherwise, in this embodiment, opaque wall of the vessel, at least partially transparent, to form a viewing portion. The degree of thickness and polishing will depend on the plastics material chosen, which also needs to be chosen to meet the structural, controlled shrinkage, scratch resistant (scratches that would be expected with use in a brewing application so as to minimise the existence of small created imperfections in the smooth inner surface which could house and encourage bacterial growth and be difficult to disinfect and clean) and other characteristics suitable for the repeatable manufacture of a vessel of the type described herein. The plastic may be transparent or non-transparent. Suitable plastics include (but are not limited to) acrylic, stretched acrylic, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene- terephthalate, polyvinylchloride, polyamide (such as nylon), and the like.

Figures 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d depict four views from the side of the vessel 14 in which it can be seen that the sidewalls of the vessel depicted in Figures 7a and 7c are more vertical than the sidewalls shown in Figures 7b and 7d and that the peripheral rim about the vessel top opening 22 extends more outwardly in Figures 7a and 7c than the peripheral rim in Figures 7b and 7d. The more outwardly extending rim portions provide a portion suitable for use as a handle or gripping portion on both sides of the vessel convenient for lifting or tilting of the vessel. Furthermore, it is above both peripheral rims of the vessel that the clips 26 are located when the Hd and collar are positioned within the vessel and attached together by those clips as depicted in Figure 4. The lid is shaped and sized so as to cover both openings 22 and 24 of the vessel and the height extending collar.

Figures 8a and 8b depicts a perspective view is of the vessel in a standing position and an upside down position respectively. The protuberances 34 on the base of the vessel provide feet which stabilise the vessel when placed on a flat surface, but also, are positioned so as to allow the vessel and its contents to be tilted towards the drafting aperture 36 to which has been fitted a tap 16 (not shown). Careful tilting will allow most of the fermented liquid to be retrieved from the vessel without the need for siphoning, preferably leaving the heaviest products of the fermentation process to be manually removed from the base of the vessel.

Figures 9a and 9b depicts a bottom and perspective view respectively of the collar 18, wherein the substantially flat wall portions 38 and 40 of the collar as depicted most clearly in Figure 9b are sized and positioned so as to become substantially adjacent with the similarly substantially flat wall portions of the vessel 14. Protuberances 42 referred to here in as ribs are located, in this embodiment, on the outer curved walls 44 and 46 and depicted bottom end on in Figure 9a. These ribs are also shown in Figure 2 and in use rest upon the vessel top opening 22 or a portion adjacent thereto, so as to restrain the movement of the collar 18 lower into the vessel 14. Consequently the gap provided between the inner wall of the vessel 14 and the outer wall of the collar 18 can be more readily achieved and maintained.

Figures 10a and 10b depict respectively the top and underside of the lid 12.

A side view of the tap 16 fitted to the drafting aperture 36 in the vessel 14 is depicted in Figure 1 1. The drafting aperture 36 is provided in a spigot 40 protruding from a portion of the base of the vessel 14 and it is to that spigot that the tap is fixed thereto by fixing element 43. The fixing element 43 includes an engagement arm 45 having a tang 47, with the engagement arm 45 extending from a lever arm 48 which itself extends vertically from a spigot engaging portion 50 of the tap. The fixing element 43 is made of resilient material preferably moulded in with the spigot engaging portion of the tap 16. The lever arm 48 is movable about its attachments point with the spigot engaging portion 50 of the tap allowing for the engagement arm 45 to be lifted and retracted from engagement with the spigot 40. Engagement of the engagement arm 45 with the spigot 40 is achieved using a raised portion 52 on the spigot 40 to engage with the tang 47 depending from the engagement arm 45. A projection 54 from the lever arm 48 is sized and positioned so as to restrain flexure of the lever arm 48 when it touches or abuts any portion of the tap 16.

A peripheral rim 56 on the spigot 40 is notched in the vicinity of the fixing element 43 to allow the passage of the engagement arm 45 through the outer periphery of the rim 56 thus restricting lateral (also rotational movement about the coaxial axis of the spigot 40) movement of the lever arm and consequently the tap 16 with respect to the spigot 40, since such motion would be stopped by the peripheral rim 56 on the spigot 40.

The spigot engaging portion 50 and a valve portion 58 comprise the two parts of the tap 16 depicted in Figures 1 1, 12 and 13, and 14, but shown most clearly in Figure 14.

Figure 14 specifically shows the valve portion 58 rotated 180° so as to allow viewing of the aperture 60 which when mated with a corresponding aperture in the body of the spigot engaging portion 50 (not shown) allows for the flow of liquid from the vessel 14 through the spigot 40 into the tap 16 and eventually out of the tap outlet aperture 62 located at the base of the spigot engaging portion 50. In use the tap will be located on the other side shown in Figure 14. The tap 16 provides fluid communication between the inlet 64 of the spigot engaging portion 50 and the tap outlet aperture 62 when the valve portion 58 is rotated appropriately to make the aperture 60 align with the corresponding aperture in the body of the spigot engaging portion 50. Additionally the long lever on the valve portion 50 assists the user when controlling the flow of liquid from the tap. Whereas, the tap 16 does not provide fluid communication or a restrictive version thereof when the aperture 60 does not fully align with the corresponding aperture in the body of the spigot engaging portion 50. Full closure of the tap to fluid communication occurs when the valve portion 58 is rotated to a position depicted in the exploded view provided in Figure 14.

Fluid sealing of the tap is achieved by moulding sealing material 66 about portions of the aperture 60 of the valve portion 58, as well as about portions of the spigot engaging portion 50. By integrating the sealing material into the two-part tap separate seals are dispensed with hence separate disassembly and cleaning is obviated.

The tap assembly can only be disassembled once removed from the spigot 40, and this can only occur when the flat surface 59 on 58 aligns with the projection 54 of the fixing element 43.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope.

Claims

THE CLAIMS:

1. A fermentation assembly within which fermentation can occur, the assembly including a vessel having at least one side wall forming a vessel top opening; a collar member shaped to lie adjacent a portion of the inside surface of the at least one wall forming the top opening of the vessel and extending both internally and externally of the vessel to extend the height of the vessel for use during fermentation and such that gasses formed during a fermentation process occurring within the fermentation assembly can migrate between the at least one side wall and the collar member, the collar member also forming a height extended vessel top opening.

2. A fermentation assembly according to claim 1 further including a lid to cover the height extended vessel top opening and a portion of which fits within the extended vessel top opening, the lid shaped so as to provide a spacing between the lid and the collar forming the extended vessel top opening to allow the passage of gasses formed during a fermentation process occurring within the fermentation assembly, from the interior of the extended height vessel to the atmosphere external of the vessel.

3. A fermentation assembly according to any preceding claim further including a viewing portion in at least one side wall to allow viewing from outside the vessel of the movement of foam and liquids between the vessel and the collar.

4. A fermentation assembly according to claim 3 wherein the viewing portion allows viewing from outside the vessel of the interior of the vessel during fermentation.

5. A fermentation assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the vessel top opening and the height extended vessel top opening are sized such that the fermentation lid covers both openings.

6. A fermentation assembly according to any preceding claim wherein all the at least one side walls of the vessel are upwardly and outwardly sloped at the base of the vessel so as to encourage the settling of the heaviest fermentation product.

7. A fermentation assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the space between the outer wall of the collar located adjacent the inside wall of the vessel is sufficient to promote wicking of the fermentation product so as to increase or obviate fermentation activity.

8. A fermentation assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the material of the vessel and the collar are scratch resistant.

9. A fermentation assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the vessel is stackable within the collar.

10. A fermentation assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the vessel is stackable within another vessel.

1 1. A fermentation assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the collar is stackable within another collar.

12. A fermentation assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the vessel has a drafting opening near the base of the vessel for drafting off fermented liquid and the fermentation assembly further including a tap adapted for fitment to the drafting opening without fitment elements