Opinions on Meura mash filters?

[HBGBeerCo]

Hello everyone. I was wondering if anyone out there had an opinion on Meura (or other manufacturer) mash filters as opposed to classic mash tuns. I recently saw a video of the one Full Sail uses. In my neck of the woods water use and effluent is damn expensive and the lower water usage of the Meura could be part of a solution.

Thanks.


Kevin McGee
Healdsburg Beer Company
Sonoma County, CA

"Because this town sure didn't need another winery."

[sean.orear]

I have to disagree

I have been using a 39 plate mash filter at Tin Man for the last few months and I have to say they are very well suited for small scale brewing. The number of chambers that is used in the mash changes for each beer you brew, but change over is 5 minutes and very easy to complete. The spent grain is very dry and stores much easier than traditional wet grains (and smells less bad). Also, the extraction efficiencies and liquor reductions pay for the cost of the unit in under two years. Mash filters are the wave of the future in my opinion and I would highly recommend looking into a Meura.

BTW, if you would like to talk to someone about how they work a little more in depth, you are welcomed to call on me.

[dick murton]

Sean

Are you using a Meura mash filter? What plate size are you using? And how many brews a day? And what brewlength and gravity?

I am just intrigued about your comment about changing plates as I am about to get involved in a major rebuild job, where, amongst other things, we will put in a couple of Meura MFs plus new mill and mash mixer in an existing brewhouse.

Obviously depends on brewery size whether it is financially worth while. But consider also the counter arguments of people like Steinecker & Huppman, who counter with their lauter tuns getting close to 100 % - though they admit not as good as the Meura system. But then they reckon on no sheets, less cleaning, less manual intervention (certainly true of older Meuras, less so of Ziemann filters), no plate replacement, and good flexibility on grist weights. And if you don't need 12 or 14 brews a day, then a MF is not so beneficial. And the older Meura units always seem to need someone to ensure the cake drops off, though I am told Meura have now resolved this problem.

Certainly when we looked at MFs a few years ago, adding or taking out plates (1 metre sq) for a few brews at a time was a non starter.

Buy I do agree that for larger breweries at least, MFs are increasingly the separation plant of choice.

I assume the Lehui MF uses the Ziemann plates as the plates are sourced from Germany, and the style is the same. And Landeluce (Spanish) also do them, though I have never seen or heard reports from anyone using these, so can't compare them to Ziemann or Meura units.

Cheers

[dick murton]

Just looked up Tinman brewery. I never realised that Meura did them that small. None of their literature, nor the sales guys have ever mentioned doing anything that small.

Looks good then

[Fullcourt]

IDD in Moorpark, California

Tin Man uses the new HEBS brewing system from IDD in Moorpark, CA. HEBS is High Efficiency Brewing System. You can get information from the IDD website, but Sean's offer to answer any questions you might have is very generous.
I agree that mash filters are the wave of the future, mash tuns and lauters can be a pinch point when doing multiple brews. Also milling the grain is totally different, and much easier, since there is no grain bed to worry about.
Tin Man is also leading the way with their innovative draft system, and Aqua Few cleaning system, also provided by IDD.
Get in touch with Sean, and good luck to Tin Man!

[IDD]

IDD - HEBS Mash Filter Brewing System

IDD's 20HL HEBS prototype system was sold to Tin Man Brewing Company. Other systems have been sold to Gilgamesh Brewing Company, Charleston Brewing Company, Coachella Brewing Company and Rocks Brewing Company in Australia.

Our aim is to provide the craft brewer with a USA made, affordable, efficient and flexible brewing system. More information is available at our web site link:

http://iddeas.com/products/brewing_systems/documents/HEBSshortpresentation_000.pdf

Cheers,

Jeff Gunn
President & CEO
IDD Process & Packaging, Inc.
Moorpark, CA
800-621-4144
805-529-9890
idd2jeff@aol.com

[Starcat]

Impressive

The installation shown looks like some first rate Mechanical work.
Well presented. Very interesting.


Sincerely

[HBGBeerCo]

Thanks for the input Sean. I'll look you up in the new year. Cheers!

Kevin


Healdsburg Beer Company
Sonoma County, California

"Because this town sure didn't need another winery."