National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Hauglia on November 12, 2014, 12:59:47 PM

Title: Needhams Family Brewing machine
Post by: Hauglia on November 12, 2014, 12:59:47 PM
Have anyone heard of "Needham & Co. Portable Family Brewing machine"?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/iuykphg7w3m22fr/2014-10-19%2018_41_00.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/iuykphg7w3m22fr/2014-10-19%2018_41_00.jpg?dl=0)
I didn't, until I found this illustrated handbill. It's a piece of paper that is approx. A5 size, showing a early 1800s patented brewing machine. Thought it was kinda neat, so I bought it to put it in a frame and have it in my "brewery" :)

I'm not totally convinced that it's a very effective "machine", probably not.. But I like history and I like beer, so I'm considering to make a "reproduction" of this machine.

The one Needham & Co made is made out of wrought iron.. that would be nice, but I lack both the knowledge on how to make such a pot and time to learn it. So I'm thinking of making mine out two pots like this;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONCORD-Polished-Stainless-Steel-Stock-Pot-Brewing-Beer-Kettle-Mash-Tun-w-Lid-/141281734549?pt=Cookware&var=&hash=item20e50c2f95
Then modify the smallest to become the malt pipe.  ..or perhaps it's best to use tube of some sort and cut it.

I have tried to find the original patent, but it's probably not been digitaliced and made available. But I did find another tread about it in this forum; https://forum.braumeisters.net/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=155&p=1345&hilit=wooden+braumeister#p1345  (https://forum.braumeisters.net/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=155&p=1345&hilit=wooden+braumeister#p1345)

Thoughs on how to proceed is greatly apreciated! Can't say for sure that I'm going to built it yet, but it seems like a fun project.


Cheers,
Steinar
Title: Re: Needhams Family Brewing machine
Post by: Tom on November 12, 2014, 01:17:23 PM
From what I can see it's a bit Brew-in-a-bag, but with a drum instead of a bag. Doable, anyway! Go for it! Plenty of modern alternatives without using tinned wrought Iron, which although fun, would be impractical.
I like that HRH the Prince Regent was a fan!
Title: Re: Needhams Family Brewing machine
Post by: Garry on November 12, 2014, 01:20:23 PM
Never heard of "Needham & Co. Portable Family Brewing machine". Was it intended for home brewing? What size is it?

I don't think I'd be happy with wrought iron though. Stick with the stainless steel pots you link to.

How about one of these (https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php#biab) filters instead of trying to make a malt tube?

(https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/images/bargainbin/brewfilters/bbbrewBIAB16-5x10-25-400-3inchxbracep100s20.jpg)
Title: Re: Needhams Family Brewing machine
Post by: Hauglia on November 12, 2014, 01:31:17 PM
I think they came in 8 different sizes, based on that "commercial" for it.
If I'm going to make a copy of it, I will probably make it close to a 50L Braumeister in size, perhaps a bit smaller.. Think it's neat that it looks so simular.

Thanks for the link Garry, could be a good idea to use filters like that, instead of making many holes in a tube or pot.

This shows the machine more in detail. There is an inner tube as well, not sure what function is has.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i5dqaoqrzj4oxe8/orginalen%203.jpg?dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/s/i5dqaoqrzj4oxe8/orginalen%203.jpg?dl=0)
Title: Re: Needhams Family Brewing machine
Post by: brenmurph on December 04, 2014, 09:22:01 PM
Fantastic. Bit like a braumeister im sure deres a few knocking around old sheds all over uk