I’ve got a 1st World problem. I’m sure I’m not the only one who is torn between experimenting and brewing beer for drinking. I’ve got the system for brewing 5 gallon batches of beer to drink. But I don’t want to waste all the ingredients and work making that much beer that will likely be dumped after I taste the results of the experiment.
So I’m thinking about assembling a system to brew a gallon or less.
I know I would really enjoy a lab grade setup, but I don’t have any experience with that except for my 2 & 5 liter Erlenmeyer flasks for making yeast starters. So I’m coming to you all. How would you do this?
My values are: easy to clean, elegance of design and efficiency. A lot to ask I know, but I can’t be the first one to invent this wheel.
I’ve hough about doing 1 gal batches as well and basically I figured I would simply do BIAB on my stove in a smaller kettle, primary in a 64oz growler. It seemed pretty simple to do, but then I decided to do another full batch;)
Edit: I did realize the growler would be too small as a primary and figured I’d get 2 gal bucket
I do 1 gallon batches, but just to test out new hops. For those I use dme and part of a packet of S05. I don’t go that small for any other reason though.
I’ve done quite a few small batches that produce a 12 pack of beer. I hate it. I’m getting me a couple of 2.5 gal kegs from AiH and doing 2-2.5 gal batches. Too much effort for little payoff and bottling 12 beers is annoying enough that I put it off like cleaning the bathroom.
The science/experimenting aspect of brewing is the main reason I enjoy this hobby that’s why I have downsized the 2.5 gal batches. It does seem to go fast at that size between a growler to the homebrew club meeting and a few pints for my friends and myself. This is what I use.
Small Coleman cooler/Walmart 28 qt I think with ss Braid. Big enough for no sparge if I want.
5 gal carboy
36 qt bayou SS pot
Camp chef 2 burner outdoor stove.
I also invested in a few 2.5 gal kegs but I do use my 5 gal for them sometimes. Lots of purging:)
BIAB, and the smallest fermenter you can find. I brew 1.7-gallon batches all the time these days, BIAB, 3-gallon fermenter (a little too big but oh well). No need for a chiller or fancy equipment. Git 'r done.
My test batches are extract, 15 minute boil, one gallon preboil, fermented in a 1 gallon jug. I can get three separate batches done in under 2 hours, and about 7 or 8 batches in the time span of a typical all grain brewday.