I have a couple of three gallon better bottles, and was considering doing half batches of experimental recipes. I can brew more often because I won’t have as much beer to get through. it should be safe to simply cut any recipe in half, correct? I’m looking at a strong CDA recipe, so it will be about 12# of grains for three gallons. will I have any difficulty kegging these smaller batches in my five gallon cornies? should I plan to bottle condition instead?
You can just cut the recipe in half.
No problem kegging, just be sure to purge the ambient air out with CO2.
CDA’s…CDA’s…I do not know of these Cross Dressing Amateurs you speak of…
You’re going to do 2.5 gallon batches in 3 gallon better bottles? You might want a blow off tube. I do 3-4 gallon batches in 5 gallon carboys, works like a charm. Don’t use blow off tubes at all.
I think he meant VBA 
Same here.
I only do 3 gallon batches and usually have about 3.25-3.5 gallons fermenting in a 5 gallon carboy. I’ve never had to use a blow off tube, but if you are going to be using 3 gallon carboy for 2.5, they there is a good chance you’ll need a blow off tube. Just cut all your ingredients in half except for your yeast. I don’t change my yeast and in most of the time I don’t need to make a starter w/ any liquid yeast. I use Beersmith, which has a scale button, to change a 5 gallon recipe to a 3 gallon one. As for kegging, the only issue you’ll have is that it will just take a little more gas to fill up the extra space.
sounds like I’ll save my three gallon better bottles for secondary and dry-hopping. thanks for the feedback, guys!
I do 2.5 gallon batches in 3 gallon BB’s all the time. I keep a blow-off tube handy but rarely need it. I do tend to ferment on the cooler side though. If you are really worried about it you can use fermcap. I’ve only had one near accident and that was with a Belgian yeast if I recall.
As others said, yes you can generally just halve your recipe. I like using BeerSmith’s scale tool though as I can also compensate for my equipment and differences in efficiency easily.
I think he meant American Style East India Porter!
Due to space restrictions all my batches are 2.5 gallon in a 3 gallon carboy and yes a blowoff tube is very useful - once is quite enough with cleaning krausen out of the nooks and crannies off my utility room.
I’ve been OK with a 3gal carboy at times, if its not a Belgian yeast and the wort’s not real high OG (which it is in your particular case). This is especially if you aren’t terribly concerned about getting a full 2.5gal, yu can leave the trub behind and have enough room.
+1
It depends on the yeast…if using an American Ale yeast, English Ale yeasts or making lagers it’ll probably be okay. A few drops of Fermcap will really help here.