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Coolship

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[[File:Coolship1.jpg|thumbnail|right|Copper Coolship at a brewery in Prague]]
'''Coolship''' (the Anglicized version of the Dutch/Flemish ''koelschip'') is a type of fermentation vessel used in the production of beer. Traditionally, a ''coolship'' is a broad, open-top, flat vessel in which wort cools. The large surface area in relation to volume allows for relatively efficient cooling. It is also an integral step in the process of making Belgian lambic and other [[Spontaneous_Fermentation|spontaneously fermented beers]]. The high surface to mass ratio allows for more efficient cooling. Historically, coolships were constructed of wood, but later were lined with iron or copper for better thermal conductivity. Most modern constructed coolships are made from stainless steel, although copper coolships are still used in many Belgian lambic breweriesas well as a few breweries outside of Belgium. Some Pre-dating the specific application of coolships by Belgian lambic brewers for inoculation during cooling, some German and English brewers also still use copper coolships (''kühlschiff''in German and "cooler" in Great Britain) as chillers to partially cool wort to 55-75°C (131-167°F) before either chilling the wort in a closed system or transferring the hot warm wort to a fermenter to cool and finally pitch yeast , a process which was once common throughout Europe <ref>[http://craftybeergirls.com/2018/03/18/coolship-field-trip/ Lauren Lerch. "Coolship Field Trip". Crafty Beer Girls blog. Retrieved 03/18/2018.]</ref><ref>[http://www.uerige.de/brauerei-brauprozess.html "Malz – aus Gerste und Weizen ". Zum Uerige website. Retrieved 03/18/2018.]</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2814130411948488/ Various members of MTF. Milk The Funk thread on the use of coolships in historical German brewing. 07/28/2019.]</ref><ref>[http://zythophile.co.uk/2019/10/18/do-you-gyle-your-ale-after-it-leaves-the-cooler-and-finishes-fermenting-in-the-vat-or-krausen-your-beer-post-coolship-when-its-run-out-of-the-foeder Martyn Cornell. Zythophile website. 10/18/2019. retrieved 10/18/2019.]</ref>. Saison breweries used coolships during the 1800's in a similar fashion to German brewers to cool the wort before pitching yeast <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2275507945810740/?comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%2317%22%7D Georges Lacambre. Dec, 1851. Translated by Lucas Blasty on Milk The Funk Facebook group.]</ref>. Contemporary usage also includes using a coolship as an open fermentor for the production of non-sour beer. For example, [https://www.anchorbrewing.com/blog/brewing-insights-open-fermentation/ Anchor Brewing Co] ferments beer openly, but because the wort is pre-chilled before entering the vessel, Anchor Brewing no longer refers to these as "coolships" but as "open fermenters" <ref>[https://www.anchorbrewing.com/blog/anchor-terminology-coolship/ "Anchor Terminology: Coolship". Anchor Steam website. 04/12/2012. Retrieved 09/10/2018.]</ref>. This article will focus on the use of a coolship to initiate spontaneous fermentation and will not significantly address the use of coolships to partially cool wort as in the historically German/saison methods of brewing or to conduct open fermentation.
Contemporary usage also includes using a coolship as an open fermentor for the production of non-sour beer. For example, [https://web.archive.org/web/20220126000613/https://www.anchorbrewing.com/blog/brewing-insights-open-fermentation/ Anchor Brewing Co] fermented beer openly, but because the wort is pre-chilled before entering the vessel, Anchor Brewing no longer refers to these as "coolships" but as "open fermenters" <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230326181248/https://www.anchorbrewing.com/blog/anchor-terminology-coolship/ "Anchor Terminology: Coolship". Anchor Steam website. 04/12/2012. Retrieved 09/10/2018.]</ref>. Contemporary experimental usage of coolships includes allowing wort to cool and become inoculated with microbes from the environment, as well as adding cultured yeast at some point in the process, and optionally using the coolship as an open fermenter to conduct the primary fermentation in rather than conducting the primary fermenation in barrels like in Belgian lambic brewing. This is not considered to be full "spontaneous fermentation" since yeast and/or lactic acid bacteria are added to produce a more controlled fermentation, but the resulting beer might benefit from or be otherwise altered by the wild microbes or the effects of the lack of head pressure/exposure to oxygen caused by cooling (and optionally fermenting) the wort in a coolship <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2987548407940020/ Brandon Jones of Yazoo Brewing Co. Milk The Funk Facebook group thread on using a coolship and pitching Bootleg Biology yeast. 10/18/2019.]</ref>. A less common practice that has been gaining some traction in the US is using a portable coolship. These coolships are designed to be transported, often in the back of pickup trucks. The coolship should have a baffle that prevents the dangerously hot wort from spilling out of the coolship. The coolship can then be transported anywhere to inoculate the wort. See [http://allaboutbeer.com/article/portable-coolships/ this All About Beer Magazine article]. This article will focus on the use of a coolship to initiate spontaneous fermentation and will not significantly address the use of coolships to partially cool wort as in the German/English/saison methods of chilling wort or to conduct open fermentation.
See also the [http://www.milkthefunk.com/ccc/ MTF Coolship Cooling Calculator]. See [[Spontaneous_Fermentation#Cooling|Spontaneous Fermentation]] for information on dissolved oxygen in wort that is cooled overnight in a coolship.
===Surface Area to Volume Ratio===
Abbreviated '''SA:V''', the surface area to volume ratio is the proportion between the surface area of the wort (the dimensions of the wort exposed to the sides of the vessel), and the volume of the wort. The SA:V affects the cooling rate of the wort. In addition to this, the surface area of the top of the vessel which is exposed to air in proportion to the volume of wort potentially affects the inoculation rate of the vessel, although this aspect has not been studied that we are aware of.
====Cooling Rate====
====Inoculation Surface Area====
The ''top'' surface area to volume ratio affects the inoculation rate. Some brewers may want their coolship inoculation rate to be somewhere near what commercial coolships are. An example to find the SA:V ratio of just the top surface using the same two coolship dimensions follows:
 
<code>
:Example of a 36 bbl coolship:
::Surface area of the top surface of the wort (w x l) = 100 sq. ft.
::Surface Area to Volume ratio = 100/150 = '''0.67''' sq. ft. per cubic foot (22.0 cm<sup>2</sup> per L)
 
:Example of a 10 gallon coolship:
::Surface Area to Volume ratio = 6.25/1.25 = '''5''' sq. ft. per cubic foot (164 cm<sup>2</sup> per L)
</code>
 
The example above shows that the shallow 10 gallon coolship also has a much larger ''top'' surface area to volume ratio.
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HFBTCt99OQ9-jSGI9jBZXwC6SqtZZVwlpXYw2rjLO4k/edit#gid=90184859 Original spreadsheet by Mark B. Fry (download and save a copy to use).]
* [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gB4347cP70Sw6topMoOvDydMYQcS2PF7M0Yl0vgbZbk/edit#gid=1777054704 Updated version by Joe Idoni with tab for rectangular coolships (second tab; download and save a copy to use).]
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2440331772661689/ Coolship calculator by Mark Hamon that includes evaporative cooling rates.]
====Testing Cooling Rates====
* [http://thirdleapbrew.com/technical/the-great-homebrew-coolship-experiment/ Andrew Kazanovicz plotted the cooling rates of a Bayou Classic 1082 82 qt kettle versus an Igloo 10 gallon insulated cooler.] See also the associated [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1932089090152629/ MTF thread].
* [http://homebrewingfun.blogspot.com/2018/04/update-and-blend-of-spontaneous-beers.html Adam Kielich measures the cooling rate over time of small batches, and reports the results.] See also the associated [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2094624910565712/ MTF thread].
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/3137607142934145/?comment_id=3137680236260169 Andrew Zinn's cooling rate data for a 45bbl coolship, 30 bbl brewhouse.]
==Commercial Coolships==
This table shows the dimensions of various commercial coolships (sources noted below the table). The volume of the coolships has been calculated from the dimensions, and therefore it is slightly larger than the practical filling volume. Surface area:volume is calculated for the top surface exposed to air for both the maximum fill and the approximate batch sizes as well as the total surface area (including the walls and bottom of the coolship). Some breweries use multiple coolships at once. When multiple identical coolships are used, numbers in parentheses following brewery names indicate the number of coolships used and the volume given is the total combined volume of these coolships. Metric is used so that the calculations are easier. For brewers who prefer ft<sup>2</sup>:ft<sup>3</sup>, 10 cm<sup>2</sup>:L is equal to 0.305 ft<sup>2</sup>:ft<sup>3</sup>.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
| Liefmans (2)<nowiki>**</nowiki> || Copper || 542 || 28.2 || 31.9 || 62.2 || 480 || 1749 || 440 || 35.4
|-
| Black Project (full)<nowiki>***</nowiki> (Closed) || Copper || 13.6 || 21.9 || 24.8 || 68.4 || 12 || 243.8 || 121.9 || 45.7
|-
| Black Project (half) (Closed) || Copper || 6.8 || 21.9 || 24.8 || 76.6 || 6 || 121.9 || 121.9 || 45.7
|-
| Jester King || Copper || 84.9 || 21.9 || 50.2 || 53.6 || 37 || 609.6 || 304.8 || 45.7
|-
| Little Wolf || Stainless Steel || 16.1 || 22.2 || || || || 650 || 55 || 45|-| Mantra (Closed) || Stainless Steel || 18.9 || 32.8 || 35.2 || 83.1 || 17.6 || 381 || 162.6 || 30.5
|-
| Monkish || Stainless Steel || 22.6 || 16.4 || 23.2 || 54.2 || 16 || 243.8 || 121.9 || 91.4
|-
| Sour Cellars || Stainless Steel || 7.4 || 17.5 || 18.0 || 70.7 || 7.2 || 135.9 || 95.3 || 57.2
|-
| Strange Roots Experimental Ales || Stainless Steel || ? || ? || ? ||? || ? || ? ||? || ?
|-
| Trinity ||Stainless Steel || 27.2 || 10.9 || 17.5 || 46.5 || 17 || 243.8 || 121.9 || 91.4
|-
| Yazoo<nowiki>*****</nowiki> || Stainless Steel || 25.7 || 14.1 || 21.3 || 49.2 || 23.5 || 198 || 183 || 71
|-
| Little Wolf<nowiki>******</nowiki> || Stainless Steel || 16.1 || 22.2 || 27 || 79.6 || 12 || 650 || 55 || 45
|-
| Shady Oak Barrel House<nowiki>*******</nowiki> || Stainless Steel || 5.98 || 30.3 || 34.2 || 94.6 || 5.3 || 183 || 99 || 33
|-
| Atom Brewing Company<nowiki>********</nowiki> || Copper || 5.678 || 25.4 || 28.26 || 84.1 || 5.1 || 119.4 || 120.7 || 39.4
|-
|}
<nowiki>*****</nowiki>The coolship at Yazoo is custom designed to be used year round and double as an open fermenter. Fabrication by Badger Fabrication in Wisconsin.
 
<nowiki>******</nowiki>The Little Wolf coolship is not designed to be a coolship, but rather a vessel designed for soaking all of the hoses used in the brewery, thus the less traditional dimensions <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2321660844528783/?comment_id=2322247021136832&reply_comment_id=2322641964430671&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R0%22%7D Stefan Wiswedel. milk The Funk Facebook group thread on Little Wolf's "coolship". 10/15/2018.]</ref>.
 
<nowiki>*******</nowiki>Shady Oak Barrel House coolship has a top that can be clamped down with a pressure release valve for transferring hot wort within the coolship to another location <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2371134149581452/?comment_id=2371475189547348&reply_comment_id=2371486176212916&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R5%22%7D Dustin Carver. Milk The Funk Facebook group thread about Shady Oak Barrel House coolship lid, clamps, and PRV. 11/16/2018.]</ref>.
 
<nowiki>********</nowiki>Atom Brewing Company's coolship slopes to 15.5 inches; calculations do not include this slope.
This table is based on data collected by [https://belgianbeergeek.be/2016/11/27/coolship-the-yeast-over-koelschepen-en-beestjes/ Belgian Beer Geek] on the characteristics of coolships in various breweries and from MTF member contributions<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1790239601004246/ MTF thread about coolship dimensions]</ref>.
===Manufacturers===
Any metal tank manufacturer can generally build a coolship , so local resources are likely to be available <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1327576813937196/?comment_id=1327588103936067&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R3%22%7D Conversation with Joe Wells on MTF. 06/11/2016.]</ref>. However, below are manufacturers that specialize in their construction for commercial breweries: * [httphttps://www.foedercrafters.com/koelschip/ koelship Foedercrafters.]
* [http://www.metalcraftfabrication.com/ Metal Crafters Fabrication.]
* [http://nsibrew.com Newlands (copper coolship).]
* [https://www.glaciertanks.com/koelschips.html Glacier's advanced design koelchip.]
* [https://www.facebook.com/Anderson-Brewing-Consulation-LLC-364074707362014 Anderson Brewing Consultation (via MTF'er Chris Anderson).]
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/3943319839029534/ MTF thread].
Some commercial brewers have reported positive results from using industrial maple syrup boil pans. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1459172714110938/?comment_id=1459763314051878&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R2%22%7D See this MTF thread] for more information.
 
===Miscellaneous Information===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scg7xird4RU Coolships vs open fermentaters vs spontaneous fermentation presentation by Ron Smith and John Allison (Foam Blowers Homebrew Club).]
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1637570519604489/?comment_id=1637600782934796&reply_comment_id=1637627056265502&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D James Howat's comparison of copper versus stainless steel coolships on MTF (multiple subreplies).]
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1897849993576539/ 150 gallon mobile coolship from Crooked Run Brewing.]
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2375730269121840/ Mikkeller Baghaven mobile coolship with a hard-piped centrifuge pump connected to a tank under the coolship for easier transfer.]* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/2281960581832143/?comment_id=2286467758048092&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D Kyle Kohlmorgen's wooden wine barrel coolships.]* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1181778045183741/ Michael Detar's process of running wort through a tree trunk and into a wooden oak barrel to use as a cooling process.]
==Open Fermentation==
* [http://www.lambic.info/Koelschip Koelschip, Lambic.info.]
* [http://www.browneandbitter.com/2014/12/failure-spontaneous-fermentation.html Amos Browne (Browne and Bitter blog) shows that not all coolship projects succeed.]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150509102029/http://www.browneandbitter.com/2015/05/spontaneous-fermentation-ii-success.html Amos Browne's second attempt (Browne and Bitter blog) with lessons learned from the first attempt.]
* [http://beerbybart.com/2014/04/02/slow-learning-sour-beer-experiments/ ''Slow Learning: Sour Beer Experiments'', by Gail Ann Williams.]
* [http://www.blackprojectbeer.com/blog/ Black Project's Coolship explanation by James Howat.]

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