Vale Pistol Patch: inventor of BIAB, founder of Biabrewer.info, all round good guy

First post by sinkas, 9 months ago

Pistol Patch passed away on 12/07 /2020,
following 18 odd months of cancer struggles,
he leaves behind a impressive legacy and was quite simply the inventor of the technique that has revolutionized modern home and small scale brewing,

We intend to keep this site alive and want input from people that have the skills to keep it going.

For the few of you in Western Australia,
we are holding a wake in his honor at Clancy's pub in Fremantle,
one of his favorite venues.
6pm this Friday 24th...

First BIAB Light Blonde Ale

First post by nanukODahNort, 11 months ago

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Hey PeopleKind

my first BIAB this morning
I used a recipe for a Light Blonde Ale (but added some Crystal Wheat by mistake) and broke my Hydrometer during the boil.
anyways, things went easy enough.
I used the BIABacus to scale down the recipe so it would fit into my kettle. Everything seems to be working out, but I think my OG into Fermentor may be a bit low.
SG Pre Boil was 1.031, but it was then my hydrometer broke (my fault) so I removed about 450 ml of boiled wort and capped it.

Then I...

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Thanks Scott

I plan on using BIABacus every time to scale.

As I use it more, I will learn more, which will allow me to do more, etc.

Brad.

A question about Oats - to toast or not?

First post by arkique, 4 years ago

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Hiya people,

I am putting on  my first BIAB this coming weekend and have never used Oats before.
Now I am not a complete stranger to grains as I have done several partial brews but this time around I am going all grain for my Oatmeal pale ale (recipe improvised from several places on the interweb and books I own).

I am not sure whether I am going to toast my oats or not

I digress my actual question is will toasting my  rolled oats to a golden hue impact IBU much and is there any major things...

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You do not have to toast the oats. It depends on what you wish to get from the oats.
Toasty or roasty flavor? Yes, toast them.
Silky mouthfeel? You will have to use a lot of oats (between 10 and 18% of the grain bill by weight) and probably don't want to toast them. You might, in this case, also consider a step mash with so much in the way of oats in the grist - 15 minutes at 50 -55 ºC before raising the mash temp to your target. And the bag will be extra heavy when you pull it after your...

Changing OG of a recipe in BIABacus

First post by Dreadpiratewes, 1 year ago

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Hello! I feel bad that I scarcely post here and don't check up on posts promptly enough but the truth is I don't get to brew that often either. I began my brewing journey around the same time as I started my fatherhood journey so that's just how it goes I suppose... I had a question regarding adjusting OG in BIABacus. I'm brewing Zainasheff's Chocolate Hazelnut Porter but I want to bump up the gravity because I tried a CHIP that was so good I must try to recreate it. Anyway when I enter in the...

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That's good to hear. That will be much simpler. Thanks!

First recipe with BIABACUS without Amarillo

First post by disang, 1 year ago

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Hi all,

I would like to try the biabacus excel sheet for the first time following the amarillo apa recipe.
But to reduce costs buying another hop pack, I would like to use one of the hops I already have.
I know I need to adjust the recipe with new AA% values and so on but I would like to know if one of the following can be use in place of amarillo with the same steps of amarillo APA
-Simcoe
-Citra
-Polaris
-Centennial
-Azacca
-Cascade

Does it make sense?

Thanks
Angelo

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I think your question could be addressed in two ways.
1) pick one from your list and put the form (leaf, pellet, other) and its AA% into the right column alongside each of the original Amarillo data. Keep the time of addition the same and you will get a new SMaSH beer recipe; the BIABacus will change the weights and keep the IBUs to come out the same as if it was all Amarillo.
2) find out what you can about the hops on your list before choosing one. For instance, Simcoe has a reputation for...

My first BIAB, first AG

First post by Dreadpiratewes, 2 years ago

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I joined awhile back and used the amazing info here to build my BIAB setup (a budget rig, certainly) and have FINALLY gotten to do a true SV batch. I would appreciate any feedback on my process and in particular how I did filling out my actual numbers on BIABACUS. I have a new appreciation for the document after actually using it! The ability to measure volume in the kettle with a ruler is a game changer! So anyway.
Czech Pilsner, recipe info in BIABacus file. 90 minute mash at a target 152°F,...

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No Belgian Styles. But all that I’ve brewed from that book have been very solid recipes, so it’s probably good...

Use undersized bag til I make new one?

First post by Dreadpiratewes, 1 year ago

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Hi my most helpful brewing compadres!
For my first BIAB I used a cheap LD Carlson brew bag that was plenty big, too big, for my 10 gallon kettle. It made a good beer and dis not fall apart despite its loose weave. In the meantime I bought voile and made my own simple tapered pillow case design bag. Actually made 2 from the fabric I bought. I used a calculator that I assumed gave me cut dimensions factoring in seams etc. I enlisted grandma's help in sewing and I got the bags back to find then...

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The short answer is 35 threads per centimeter. At the fabric store, the material is called voile. It is more often used as curtain sheers. I recognized it as the translucent curtains behind the window draperies at grandma’s house. It is not tuile- that’s for other stuff.

See this one for more general info:

And I found the number 35/ cm coming from PistolPatch, so I know that’s good. :thumbs:

First try at using BIABacus - can I get another set of eyes to see if I did this right?

First post by BMWFan, 2 years ago

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I hope this is the correct place to put this question....

First try at using BIABacus - can I get another set of eyes to see if I did this right? I'm trying to decide on what to use on brew day: Brew Target, Beer Smith, Brewers Friend or something else. I also have the Bru 'N Water spreadsheet, since I use RO water and have to add minerals. I'd like something that is accurate, repeatable and gives consistent results (based on if I don't mess up what it tells me to do) - ie. water volumes, brew...

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BMWFan : Read the bit below about The Average Yield the BIABacus Uses, as this will be a part of my answer to one of your questions. I was expecting to answer your questions tonight and get your BIABacus finalised but some bits below took ages to write and I've now run out of steam sorry. (I still have beer though!) I want to get your BIABacus right before you brew so hang in there a bit longer.

What does S for Steeping do to the calculation? I used to steep but normally now just make the...

My second BIABacus plan

First post by Another Brian, 2 years ago

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Hello. I have entered information int a BIABacus spreadsheet for another brew, a Stout this time. If anyone would like to look it over and give me feedback I would appreciate it. I still am confused why using a hopsock would reduce the grain bill, but will follow the numbers on the spreadsheet at any rate. Also, there is my primary mashing malt and then my steeping grains. This is my first time using steeping grains. I have only mashed malt before. Do I include all together, the only difference...

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What temperature did you find work better for you, Brian?

Full batch all grain formula to BIAB.

First post by Another Brian, 2 years ago

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Hello. This is my second post, so please bear with me. I've done 5 BIAB batches, but not for a couple of years so I'm relearning. Plus I am trying to delve into everything more deeply to get a fuller understanding rather than just following steps.

I have a formula from Brewing Classic Styles that I made a couple of years ago and want to repeat. My notes from that batch are not good... My main questions are:

1) Is there an increase in grain bill when moving from sparge formulas to BIAB...

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Congratulations Another Brian! :thumbs: It worked despite surprises in the process.

No file attached, so far.

Following the BIABacus recommendations mostly, yielded an ESB that seems close to the model. Perhaps a little more bitter/dry but very clean tasting. No esters noticed.
Trust the BIABacus. It is amazing how well it works for me. I hope you have added your tasting notes to the batch record. It will help in the future. I try to add tasting impressions along the timeline for...

Preparing for first attempt at Biab

First post by mark222, 2 years ago

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Hi guys,
I am preparing for my first attempt at Biab. Currently assembling my kit. The kettle is a 30l 2.5kw electric tea urn. I have modded it so that it will maintain a rolling boil without cutting out. I made a truncated cone bag to fit it. I want to attempt a maxi Biab to attain 23 litres into the fermenter so will heat my sparge water on the stove top. I will be making a DIY counter flow chiller once the plumbing bits arrive.
I want to scale the Amarillo AIPA recipe from this site for my...

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Thanks for that feedback ShorePoints. You are right, I am over complicating things in order to increase yield from one brew day. After this batch I think I will take your advice and keep it simple.

Brewing a Pilsner have bottling questions

First post by exploringamigo, 3 years ago

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So I'm a newer brewer with some extract brews and two biab brews under my belt and I want to brew a Pilsner. This time of year the garage is perfect for cold fermentation at a pretty stable 50 degrees. I'm pretty confident on brewing and fermenting the beer, but I have questions on the lagering phase. I don't have a fridge big enough to house a secondary for lagering, so I was planning on priming and bottling before lagering. My question is how long should I wait before moving the beer to the...

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Wes, what is your target volume? With only 5-gallon brew kettle, VIP (Volume Into Packaging) would be difficult for a Pilsner to be over...say 3-gallons or so. But the devil is in the details... (planned gravity, etc.)

That’s where filling out the BIABacus with your system’s info and exact recipe would be such a big help. It gives you the info you are asking, and it’s pretty darn accurate. Why don’t you give it a shot? Then post a new post in the beginners section and upload your file...asking...

I'm thinking of buying a...

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First post by Pat, 3 years ago

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Imagine you just heard that your sister/brother had just bought a good or service that you had already bought and that good/service had failed you. In hindsight, you'll be thinking, I wish I had told them of my experience, and your sibling will be saying, I wish I'd asked their advice.

Once the transaction is made though, it's all a bit too late, isn't it?

So, before you buy anything, use this thread to check with other family members - ask them, Am I making a good decision?

Cheers,
Pat

*...

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With the BIABacus at hand, there is a wide range of kettle sizes that will work for just about anyone. There is no right or wrong answer, just personal preferences.

Indoor stove-top brewers might have trouble lifting the bag above a 40+ cm tall kettle within the space available above it (hood and/or ceiling). A wider kettle with less height would have an enhanced evaporation rate. That would add to the indoor humidity more so than having a smaller kettle. Outdoor brewers will have to have help...

My Current equipment and process. 1st BIAB outcome etc.

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First post by AdeDunn, 3 years ago

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Right, as mentioned in my intro, not getting overly good efficiency. I've only really done 1 BIAB so far (the other AG I did was a bagless mini stove top, with even worst efficiency... lol). I came away from this knowing 2 things for certain:-

1) My boiler/mashing system is inadequate:-

30 litre SS stock pot, wrapped in about 4 layers of reflective loft insulation. Now the pot itself isn't a big problem, I should be able to get 18 litres into FV from this ok. The real problem is how I am...

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PP, regarding needing multiple equipment profiles, not if you know how to use Beersmith 2 (and now 3) properly. In the desktop version you can adjust the BH Efficiency on the design few tab, you would however need to understand that you'd have to be doing this in the first place. Luckily for me it's not an issue as I don't brew big beers, I consider my equipment too small, and my experience level too low. The Beersmith Software relies quite heavily on the brewer been able to dial it in for a...

BIABacus Help

First post by uvmnick, 3 years ago

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Hey guys,

I have a Rye Brown Ale recipe that I would like to make for my first BIAB. I have some questions on the BIABacus excel file. I wasn't sure on the EBC (section C), volume of ambient wort or the AA% of my hops (section D), and If Grain is...(Section E) fields. How is EBC calculated? How do you determine the AA% (I took an avg figure found on the internet)?

I'm assuming these might be connected to getting my IBUs because at the moment my IBUs is listed as 300+, should be 27.5....

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Hi Nick,
Sections J thru R can be used after you brew. You can print a recipe report and create a check list (extreme right side of biabacus).
I find these two items keep my brew day organized. Keeping notes to complete Sections J thru R will help evaluate your brew process.
Refer to the Clear Brewing Terminology section of this site.
There are threads on this site that discuss the integrity of a recipe.
Three good sources for recipes that have integrity are The recipe section of this website...

Clarification of terms

First post by Ninkas1, 3 years ago

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Hi,

I'm about to brew another Amarillo Pale Ale. This will be my third attempt. I'm trying to record better and need some clarification on what I should actually record. I'm using an electric BIAB system. I am also using the mashout method as described in the commentary.

1. Mash Volume. At mashing temperature the volume of the water and grain. I think this is straight fwd.
2. Volume into boil. Since I am doing the mashout method there will be no subsequent boil. So I think this is simply the...

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It's looking better... You're on the right track. :clap:

Yes, you are supposed to remove the lid during the boil. That's supposed to reduce potential for DMS, an off flavor in beer (believe that tastes somewhat like cooked corn). And this will cause much more evaporation - as the BIABacus plans for. It will lower your VAW (volume) and increase your gravity to what you were shooting for. So this is one glaring error, but you've came a long ways and should be able to nail it next time. :thumbs:

Question about end of boil volumes

First post by Ninkas1, 3 years ago

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My last brew Amarillo Pale Ale (2nd BiAB attempt). Had a specific gravity reading of 1.04 (low). Although I didn't record the volume in the end of boil I think my predicted evaporation rate was much less then predicted (that is....I ended up with more volume). For my next brew I'm going to record everything much better and I have already recalibrated my brewing pot WRT to volumes. In retrospect I wish I had recorded better :(

If I'm right about evaporation rate and it wasn't something else....

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Ninkas1 , as streamer mentioned, don't hesitate to supply as much detail as you can including your BIABacus file. (Just had a glance at your prior posts and I think you did use the BIABacus).

If you post more detail, we can soon see if you are worrying about nothing or faster identify any major problem.

For example, you might be worried that your original gravity was 1.040 instead of say 1.045. The beer will be fine. However, if it was meant to be 1.060, then we need to make a solid plan...

Amarillo pale ale how to substitute cascade hops

First post by Ninkas1, 3 years ago

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Greetings,

Getting ready for my second BIAB all grain beer. Its been over a year since my last very successful attempt using the Amarillo recipe recommended here for noobs. My friend grew cascade hops ithis summer and then desiccated them... I have a few bags full.

The question is how would I prepare them and could I use them to add as aroma hops in the amarillo recipe?

Thanks...If more information needed let me know.

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Just an update. I ended up substituting based on equivalents weights...because I didn't bother to learn the AA conversion. Anyway it worked out fine...albeit a bit more mellow then I would have hoped.

Looking for yummy recipes for wife

First post by crunch1224, 3 years ago

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Hi, I know there is a recipe section, but I am looking for yummy recipes for women (aka SWMBO). Something sweet and yummy, something like I dont know desert? I know this might not be in the right section, but other then the question above, how many of you other guys have been sent on the same quest? hahahah :lol: I am biab all the way with decent skills and gear.

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Not I no, I was replying to the thread with a suggestion. I'm lucky, I know exactly what beer my wife likes, that been most of them! :thumbs: I will however be tackling an attempt to clone Holdens Golden Glow for her soon, as this is one of her favourites. Handy as we live in the same region as the brewery, so shouldn't need to play with the water much....

As to a recipe for my wife, I'd probably go with a curry..... :yum:

PS. Us brits tend not to ask for anything to take to fight a cold,...

Recipe advice BIABacus

First post by AussieBrew, 3 years ago

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G'day all

I have managed to knock out my first BIAB after building a 50 litre E-Keggle with 2x 2200w elements from Kmart kettles. I made the All Amarillo APA which I'm about to keg and initial tastes are very promising.

I am keen to brew some more and I am thinking a Dr Smurto's Golden Ale would be great as I have made the kit version with great results. I am wondering how I use the BIABacus for this system and recipe. I am ordering my grain from and Australian local supplier who has the...

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Hello AusieBrew,

Have you taken a stab at filling out the BIABacus file yet? Why don’t you give it a shot, and then paste it on your thread. One of us will be along to give you advice.

One thing I’m looking for and not seeing in your file is the batch size...

Using the BIABacus file on the first page -down the left side of the screen- for both Malt and hops you put recipe on the left side and then it displays what you will use on the right side of the page... Take a look and see what I...

no chill without a cube.

First post by Clackers, 3 years ago

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I just posted in the I`m thinking of buying a thread about kettle size. The pot I`m going to buy is 50l and wont fit in my sink for cooling
and one of the replies got me thinking.

I've been reading that some brewers just put a sanitized towel on their kettle and a lid and let it sit overnight to cool to pitching temperature

What about just using my fermenter as a no chill cube? it`s fairly well sealed, just chuck the hot wort in let it cool over night and pitch.
sure the head space will...

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Clackers - also see the Chilling section of the Forum. It includes the thread mentioned by Streamer and has even more info.
There are some who avoid putting hot liquids in plastic of any kind and there are those who do it all the time. It's your choice.

I have clipped a sanitized cloth across the top of the kettle after Flame Out. Then i let it cool to a point where I could safely move it to where it could sit overnight and cool down to pitching temperature. I did not use the lid on top of the...