Scaling down my brewing...

[RobWalker]

Well, here it is - I drink too much. That much is obvious, and with 3 kegs consistently full, i've probably got too much available at a time.

Further to that, my current extract method requires a lot of topping up, which is affecting both hop utilization and overall quality. I noticed the other day that I'm unable to make a pale beer, only one that's slightly amber - probably due to caramelization and DME.

As such, I've decided to go for 2 gallon brewing from now on. That'll give me more brewdays and a greater variety of beer, the ability to lager and temp control easily..it all makes sense, and my kit is taking up too much room these days!

Rock and roll!

 

[BigYin]

Just give more away - you get to brew lots, and become mega popular... :

 

[Rwilts]

Surely if you reduce the size of the batch but increase the number you produce ( variety) you will be producing the same amount : :party:

 

[RobWalker]

Yeah, but one 2 gallon all grain brew day equals 15 pints every couple of weeks...I'm gonna brew for quality, not for volume like I am now, and that way I'll appreciate what I have rather than going nuts like a kid in a sweet shop with a gift voucher...

I'd give plenty away, but I use plastic kegs so it's 40 pints or nothing : hahah.

 

[TRXnMe]

How long does a keg last you? I've got 5 kegs full at the minute, and an FV full ready to refill the 6th keg I just emptied :) On average I get through 40 pints a month, more if too many mates pop in for a 'chat', less if I'm billy no mates.

This way I've got plenty of variety and the new stuff gets a good couple of months in a keg before I'm tempted to drink it, which is making a big difference to the quality of the ale in the kegs :)

I 'play' with one gallon fermenters with various turbo ciders, wines and other such experimental stuff to keep from getting bored in between brew days, and practice for the day I go all grain :)

On the other hand, where are you based? I might be looking for some AG kit in a month or two

 

[Baz Chaz]

What happens when you brew a cracker ........ and find you've only 20 bottles :?

 

[oldstout]

What happens when you brew a cracker ........ and find you've only 20 bottles :?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

:thumb:

 

[Andyhull]

Surely you'll just end up buying home brews poor relations from the supermarkets :nono:

Personally i would keep brewing as you are 40 pints isn't alot in a month :rofl:
Really though it's not that bad, a pint is around 2 units so thats 80 units a month, as you say you share it around a bit so lets say you personally drink 25 to 30 pints thats only 3 to 4 units 2 pints a day, add to that you will drink the majority on a weekend as most people do then it's not as bad as you think!

Just drink more water inbetween your sessions.

Andy

 

[Springer]

I'm with the others on this one, you need to sit down and do some joined up thinking here Rob :lol:
Pins are good for giving stuff away and bottles do help to steady up your drinking , "shall I open another, no just have another nibble at he cornie " :nono:
One of the reasons that I stopped using corny's, was their "ease of use" :) Spending the same amount of time to produce less beer doesn't make sense, thats why I went from five gallons to eighteen. :lol:
S