Oftentimes I would love to brew during the week but find that it is not really that plausible after work…or…it wasn’t.
I’ve recently rediscovered the joy of brewing lower gravity (most recently a mild) brews. In the past, my brews have tended to be pretty big, wheat heavy, or fairly involved. Large grain bills that take up quite a bit of space also take up a great amount of time. The sparge time is, in my opinion, the (no pun intended) sticking point. For all these reasons, I was afraid to start a brew after work. Who wants to slave over a brew deep into the hours of the night?
I actually don’t mind, but now I’ve found an easier way. Smaller beers (in terms of gravity) are much easier to deal with during a work night. I’m trying to increase the amount of beers I’m brewing to…well, let’s just say that I’m glad I have a two person household (government is something else). So, what’s a better choice than a relaxing evening of brewing while drinking a homebrew? I mean, what am I going to do, watch T.V.? I’d rather M*A*S*H than watch it anyway. It’s four hours well spent.
Do you do the brew on a weeknight?
” So, what’s a better choice than a relaxing evening of brewing while drinking a homebrew?”
Nothing at all! I have found the same thing. Ill be brewing a brown ale tomorrow, aiming for around 1.046. Easy peasy, and cheaper too!
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beer_scientist Reply:
January 31st, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Bryan,
I like that others love it like we do. Don’t know if you read it but I sent a shout to your site a few posts back. https://thankheavenforbeer.com/2011/01/24/in-my-humble-opinion/
Thanks for stopping by and commenting…I’m glad Matt introduced us virtually.
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Bryan Reply:
February 1st, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Yea, I saw and definitely appreciate it. If tales of honest mistakes is something you enjoy reading, then you will get your fill 1000 times over on my blog
Keep on keepin’ on, I am thankful to have heard of your site as well!
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Yes, this week I will brew.
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I hear ya…my past few brews have been babies, but very tasty. Just tapped my pils a few nights ago and was blown away by the flavor.
I honestly hope smaller beers make a comeback…not just due to the ease of brewing them, but it seems, that with the glut of craft breweries (not a bad thing) to gain visibility in the ‘craft’ community, a brewery has to brew and be known for their huge bombastic beers that break some mold or another.
and yes, I’d rather be M*A*S*H-ing than watching the show, as much love as I do have for Jamie Farr
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One of the best ways I’ve found to brew in a quick manner, esp. all grain, is to do BIAB batches small enough for the stovetop, typically 1-2 gallon batches. Additions of salts/hops etc becomes difficult without a 0.1 gram scale at this size. But fun!
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michael reinhardt Reply:
February 10th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
I’m loving these low gravity 5 gallon batches of beer I’m doing right now. The difference in the sparge is where I’m seeing a lot of the time (less weight and compaction). I pulled off a 3 1/2 hour all-grain last night.
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