Where to next?

[cnelsonplumber]

I have my first batch of beer and wine in bottles and some more wine, WOW and TC on the go. I am quite happy with the wine side of things and have a few recipes in mind.

In order to develop my knowledge and skill of brewing side, I would like to experiment with some small batches ie 4.5 ltrs at a time without going to the expense of building a mini brewery.

Can anyone point me in the direction of how to progress please.

Many thanks
Chris

 

[Dieseljockey]

If you only want to do 4.5lt brews to start with thats ok...a small 20lt pot wont cost a lot...plastic bucket..hydro...do a kit to start with...get the feel for it. Read the "how to" posts that will help..then when you get into it more you can go for a 23/25 lt brew.
Some say why do a small brew when you can do a bigger one for the same amount of work??..it's all up to you. :thumb:
We'll get you over to the dark side.. :twisted:

 

[cnelsonplumber]

Not sure if I explained my post very well.

I have got my first 23ltr kit in bottles but want to progress to dry ingredients but don't have the gear for 5 gall batches. I'm looking for some advice on small batches in saucepans etc and how best to go about it as tinned malt is the limit of my experience.

Thanks

 

[snail59]

It can be done and the principles are the same. You will need to divide a given 25lt recipe by 5 to get quantities of grain. You will still need to make an insulated vessel of some kind to do the mash ( i suppose a muslin bag in a saucepan wrapped in a sleeping bag would do it) I would say you could do a complete 5ltr mash and dispense with the sparge?????. Then cool and add to a Demijohn to ferment.

You could do 10lts if the pans are big enough and split between 2 Demijohns and use different yeasts to get a comparison on how yeasts perform??.

 

[Dieseljockey]

Sorry got the wrong end of the stick there... :thumb:

As Snail said all you need do is take a forum recipe and divide a given 25lt recipe by 5.
I did that years back..used a large pot on the stove..then I had 2 plastic buckets that fitted inside each other..the one I drilled small holes in the bottom then I'd mash in them...transfer the wort to the pot...batch sparge, then just lift the inside bucket up to drain... add that to the pot..boil, then immerse in a sink of cold water...cool..into a FV..bang the yeast in.. :thumb:

 

[cnelsonplumber]

OK thanks for the help.

 

[cnelsonplumber]

I found a post by 'Muddydisco' in the 'how to guides' which has made me change my mind on the way forward.

AG brewery on the cheap project by a complete novice will commence shortly.

Wish me luck

 

[Wendy1971]

Good idea good luck

 

[Dieseljockey]

See.. :evil: Told ya the "Dark Side" was coming to get ya.. Our work is now done... :twisted:

ps..well done on such a quick decision... :clap: :clap:

 

[Vossy1]

Have a little look here at the Back to basics challenge, twas fun and shows how easy it can be to make AG beer in small quantities :thumb: