Cascading hops reservoirs for recirculating brewing system

摘要

A cascading hops reservoir may have a series of hops or adjunct reservoirs, each having a drain and an overflow. The series of reservoirs may be used by causing flow through a first reservoir, which may cause liquid to flow through the reservoir and through the drain, as well as past an overflow. When a second set of hops or adjuncts may be added, the flow may be introduced to a second reservoir, which may flow through a drain and also overflow into the first reservoir. A series of multiple reservoirs may thus be used to introduce hops or other adjuncts into a brewing cycle in stages, with each additional stage including previous stages in the recirculating flow during the brewing cycle.

主权项

1. A reservoir system comprising:
a first reservoir having a first hops containment area, a first drain, and a first overflow, said first reservoir having an upper opening to receive a liquid at a first input flow rate; said first hops containment area being located below said first overflow; said first drain restricting said liquid to flow at a first drain flow rate, said first drain flow rate being lower than said first input flow rate, such that said liquid overflows said first reservoir when said liquid is received at said first input flow rate into said first reservoir; a second reservoir having a second hops containment area, a second drain, and a second overflow, said second reservoir having an upper opening to receive said liquid at a second input flow rate; said second hops containment area being located below said second overflow; said second drain restricting said liquid to flow at a second drain flow rate, said second drain flow rate being lower than said second input flow rate, such that said liquid overflows said second reservoir through said second overflow when said liquid is received at said second input flow rate into said second reservoir; said second hops containment area being located upstream from said first hops containment area, such that said second overflow is connected to said upper opening of said first reservoir; and a bypass flow path having a bypass input to receive said liquid and a bypass drain, said bypass flow path further connected to said first overflow to receive said liquid that overflows said first hops reservoir.