Hi everyone,
Firstly, apologies if I have posted this in the wrong forum. I'm new to BIAB, homebrew and also this forum and I'm slowly getting used to how things are done around here.
After being given some condensed instructions / recipe from a friend I have actually had a go at BIAB as I write this. Its still in the fermenter so I have no idea how it has actually turned out! After this I started doing some more research and found this forum. It didn't take me long to work out that I have a lot to learn and probably haven't made the best start.
So anyway, onto the important stuff and the reason why I have posted in the recipe forum. I'm looking for a SMaSH recipe that is tried and tested, one where the only real errors can be made by me!! Essentially I want to practice the processes and still get a good result at the end. A way of finding my feet and also understanding some of the ingredients used. I have downloaded the latest version of the BIABacus and am working out how to use it to scale recipes for what I'm after. I am starting out with relatively small brews and am aiming for 5 litres in the fermenter. One of the things I have noticed from BIABacus is that my kettle isn't quite big enough for a full volume mash, therefore I added a sparge step. At this point I am happy enough to do this, if I get totally bitten by the bug then I suspect an investment in a bigger kettle and accompanying equipment will be in order. I presume having a lower mash volume and sparge step may affect the efficiency but I have no idea really. Is this frowned upon or is a full volume mash considered better practice?
My preference for beer is definitely more hop forward styles and if anyone can help me out with a recipe that I can try I would be most grateful.
Post #2 made 11 years ago
C Squared,
To be quick to answer check out a Report on a SMaSH recipe at our topic..
http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php ... 46&p=37743
To be quick to answer check out a Report on a SMaSH recipe at our topic..
http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php ... 46&p=37743
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
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BIAB noob requesting some help!
Post #3 made 11 years ago
Thanks for the reply Joshua!joshua wrote:C Squared,
To be quick to answer check out a Report on a SMaSH recipe at our topic..
viewtopic.php?f=152&t=2646&p=37743
Last edited by c_squared on 04 Nov 2014, 06:11, edited 2 times in total.
Post #4 made 11 years ago
Hi c squared,
Re your need to withhold water from the mash for either a sparge or later addition. The BIABacus does all that for you and will adjust the grain bill as required to allow for the reduction in initial mash volume
I've never needed to do that myself but have a search on the forum for "maxi biab" Or "full volume variation" or "FVV" - Its all pretty much about section W of the BIABacus.
The answers or tips you need to set up correctly should all be in here.
Also as for an initial recipe I'd recommend NRB's Amarillo APA which is found in the sample BIABacus file. Although not a "smash" recipe we know that is a high integrity recipe. If things don't turn out as you expect it is likely more to do with a possible mistake or error from your side rather than the recipe. In that case it's easier to get help here than with a new recipe no one is familiar with.
If you do use that recipe all you should need to do is enter your kettle size, decide the volume you wish to aim for into your fermenter, (All in Section B) Then adjust section W for how much water you need to hold back till it all fits in your kettle. (Tip allow a little head space to prevent wicking and just to be safe)
Make sure you record as much detail as you can along the way and fill it all back into the BIABacus. Then you'll have a good baseline of how everything went on the day.
You will see plenty around here about low and high integrity recipes and it's possible the recipe you have from your mate is already comprimised, if you dont end up with the result you expect then you may be chasing your tail to find the answer to why.
Anyway welcome aboard the biab express. Enjoy the ride!
Re your need to withhold water from the mash for either a sparge or later addition. The BIABacus does all that for you and will adjust the grain bill as required to allow for the reduction in initial mash volume
I've never needed to do that myself but have a search on the forum for "maxi biab" Or "full volume variation" or "FVV" - Its all pretty much about section W of the BIABacus.
The answers or tips you need to set up correctly should all be in here.
Also as for an initial recipe I'd recommend NRB's Amarillo APA which is found in the sample BIABacus file. Although not a "smash" recipe we know that is a high integrity recipe. If things don't turn out as you expect it is likely more to do with a possible mistake or error from your side rather than the recipe. In that case it's easier to get help here than with a new recipe no one is familiar with.
If you do use that recipe all you should need to do is enter your kettle size, decide the volume you wish to aim for into your fermenter, (All in Section B) Then adjust section W for how much water you need to hold back till it all fits in your kettle. (Tip allow a little head space to prevent wicking and just to be safe)
Make sure you record as much detail as you can along the way and fill it all back into the BIABacus. Then you'll have a good baseline of how everything went on the day.
You will see plenty around here about low and high integrity recipes and it's possible the recipe you have from your mate is already comprimised, if you dont end up with the result you expect then you may be chasing your tail to find the answer to why.
Anyway welcome aboard the biab express. Enjoy the ride!
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BIAB noob requesting some help!
Post #5 made 11 years ago
Thanks bundy. Solid advice! I had entered the water bring held back in BIABacus, I didn't realise this in turn altered the grain bill. It's a clever bit of kit! I'm pretty sure my mates recipe is nowhere near the Amarillo apa for integrity, time will tell for how good/bad my first attempt actually is...
Post #6 made 11 years ago
If you are looking for tried and tested recipes then Id say smash beers are not really the way to go. Not to say that you cant make great beers but they are more for experiment imho. Theres a vid on Beersmith about smash beers that might be worth a look. I did make a smash us05 pils with Biabicus and it was very easy to do and it tasted great.
But as Bundy said if you are looking for tried and tested, high integrity recipes then the 3 (i think theres only 3) on here are the way to go. I am guessing that every one on this forum has made at least one of them so theres plenty of help available. I am yet to try the schwarzbier but I will vouche for the all amarillo and the krispy kolsch. Very tasty beers and easy to make.
Cheers.
But as Bundy said if you are looking for tried and tested, high integrity recipes then the 3 (i think theres only 3) on here are the way to go. I am guessing that every one on this forum has made at least one of them so theres plenty of help available. I am yet to try the schwarzbier but I will vouche for the all amarillo and the krispy kolsch. Very tasty beers and easy to make.
Cheers.
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BIAB noob requesting some help!
Post #7 made 11 years ago
Thanks for your help nosco. I had made an assumption that SMaSH would be simpler to do so your reply has been helpful. I think I will plump for the Amarillo apa recipe. At least then I will be certain that if things go wrong it is definitely me and I can therefore work on adjusting what I do.
Post #8 made 11 years ago
I agree with nosco.
Once you are comfortable with your beer making process; smash beers are a great way to test how different malts and hops alter a beer.
The Amarillo APA has been tested and tested; so you will be able to get a lot of help if something goes wrong.
Once you are comfortable with your beer making process; smash beers are a great way to test how different malts and hops alter a beer.
The Amarillo APA has been tested and tested; so you will be able to get a lot of help if something goes wrong.
Some people are like slinkies. Not good for much, but bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
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