Kettle Upgrade - Sightglass & Thermometer

This kettle is big....hard to know how much is in there. I decided to add a sightglass. Plus....a Thermometer would be good....so...added a combo sightglass/Thermo....

Here is the kettle before I started..

Start with a small hole.
Then use the uni-bit...to make the hole the right size...

There we go.

Intalled the eye bolt on top to hold the tube.

Close up of the thermometer

Next....I filled the pot a gallon at a time and marked the blue tape.

I applied the vinyl numbers at gallon increments....

Looks great and will help during the next brew.....

Next up.... a pump to move liquids around....

New Tanks!....not mine....but, wow!

So...Found some tanks in a warehouse in Brooklyn,NY. Too big for me..(right now), but perfect fit for Kane Brewing....AND they fit in the back of the truck.

Woulda fit in my garage.... :)
7 Barrel tanks. Retrofitted grundies. Nice... they took over the building 7 years ago and the tanks came with the building....never used....

Unloadin'

Like new on the inside...and with some elbow grease new on the outside....

So....what's goin' into them? Great beers....

Maine Beerweek

We had planned our trip to Portland, ME a couple months ago. We moved it by a week because of a conflict. Turns out it was beer week in Maine. We attended a few beer events...

Gritty's

Some cool beers.

Sebago.... Not sure I would want to have tanks that look...."Cute"....
Good Beers...
Oh yeah....Beautiful Maine coastline.

Day trip to Portsmouth, NH...(not maine...but still beery....)

Nice!

Smuttynose and Portsmouth...are together....

A 10 beer sampler! Smuttynose and Portsmouth. And the winner.... Bier De Garde.

The beer list....we met as new friend from Montreal...he helped with the few "french based names".....

Moooooooose.....

Beautiful scenery.....

Sea Dog.......

Sea Dog......

We stayed at a great B&B in Portland. It was a great few days. Portland was cool. Good Food and beers....

Number One Beer Bar in a America! Ebenezers

Right after our Allagash tour we headed to Ebenezers. BUT....oops...forgot gas...hadn't filled up since NJ. (it's a Prius) Only 15 miles left on the tank. Who knew that it got SO rural.... Thank goodness for Wicked Good Store and Gas.

Wicked good gas...ok....not manned....nobody around.... use the card...get the gas. That's Wicked Good Gas!
Ebenezers

Hmmmmm

Not much to it...

Lots on tap. All custom blown glass taps.

Ok....it's in the country....and it's hunting season.....

Bottles....bottles....more bottles...

Wow...

Worth the trip....could spend a week just trying all the beers.....

ALLAGASH!!!!!

So...we made a road trip to Portland. Allagash was our first stop. We drive about 6 hours... we're 5 minutes from Allagash. We pull over and let a fire truck go by. I said...hey...hope the're not going to the brewery....well....

Testing the system....no fire....ooops....
Cool tap tower.
Getting ready for out tasting..

Mmmm....barrel aged triple....mmmmm

Jill, leading the tour...

Big vats of belgian candy sugar....

Nice stainless tanks....

really.....210 gallon tank....

the tour....

Wow....kegs....

Bottling line....

Barrels!

Big and small....

Always respect your Elders.

Cool tour...great beer....