Good evening, I am Jim, from Massachusetts in the States.
I stumbled across this site a while ago, while reading through some home brew discussion boards. I kept seeing the "BIAB" acronym. I googled it and eventually wound up here.
I have recently returned to home brewing after a 10 years absence. (Kids take up a lot of time!) My youngest is now in college, so I'm back! I have done 5 or 6 partial mash/extract kits over the last 6 months. Ready to try whole-grain, but don't have the resources to put together the 3 vessel setup.
I think all i need is a big kettle, the question is "how big"? I've seen advice ranging from 8 gallons to 15 gallons. I am confused. I'll be looking around the boards here for direction.
As for a bag, my wife has offered to sew one together for me, as long as she has a pattern to work off.
JimboAle
Post #2477 made 14 years ago
God Dat Jim(jimboale), Welcome to the Forum.
Biab Is a single vessel brew system that is the best way to brew.
A 5 gallon batch will be good with a 40 Quart kettle,or a 32 quart kettle with a Sparge.
If you are going 10 Gallon batch you should go 60 Qt or larger.
If you only want 1 case of beer per batch, a 32qt is great for Full-volune BIAB.
For your bag Idea check the bag calcultor http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php ... 941#p12125 and check the topic http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=481 for more ideas!
Good Luck, and let us know how you are doing!
Biab Is a single vessel brew system that is the best way to brew.
A 5 gallon batch will be good with a 40 Quart kettle,or a 32 quart kettle with a Sparge.
If you are going 10 Gallon batch you should go 60 Qt or larger.
If you only want 1 case of beer per batch, a 32qt is great for Full-volune BIAB.
For your bag Idea check the bag calcultor http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php ... 941#p12125 and check the topic http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=481 for more ideas!
Good Luck, and let us know how you are doing!
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
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- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
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Post #2478 made 14 years ago
I made my first batch of all grain yesterday. A Kolsch using full volume BIAB. FG was 1.049 and efficiency was 68%.
Lots of bubbles in the fermenter this morning. It wasn't difficult. In 6 weeks I'll know if I did it right.
Lots of bubbles in the fermenter this morning. It wasn't difficult. In 6 weeks I'll know if I did it right.
Post #2479 made 14 years ago
Good Day ValveFan, Well done, Sir
Keep us up to date on how you do, and If you need help on your next brew, just post!
Keep us up to date on how you do, and If you need help on your next brew, just post!
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
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- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #2480 made 14 years ago
Hey all,
Just finished my first three BIAB after several all extract brews. Got a Rye, a Northern England Brown Ale, and a Kolsch in the fermenters. Can't wait. Hit most of my numbers and BIAB method made it really easy to make the switch to all grain. All is well in sunny Florida!!
Just finished my first three BIAB after several all extract brews. Got a Rye, a Northern England Brown Ale, and a Kolsch in the fermenters. Can't wait. Hit most of my numbers and BIAB method made it really easy to make the switch to all grain. All is well in sunny Florida!!
Post #2481 made 14 years ago
hi all!
been in oz for about 14 yrs now...originally from reading in England.
been brewing for about 3 years, extract only, im afraid...until now.
been slowly adding things to get a decent biab set up (50 litre kettle,fridge with tweaked thermostat,etc)
am finally ready to brew this weekend. looking forward to it!
loving stone and wood pacific ale at the mo... so gonna try and have a crack at a clone of that.
heard about this site through a beersmith podcast... on ya pat!
am hoping for like minded people to steer me in the right direction!!!
thanks guys.
lets do it!
been in oz for about 14 yrs now...originally from reading in England.
been brewing for about 3 years, extract only, im afraid...until now.
been slowly adding things to get a decent biab set up (50 litre kettle,fridge with tweaked thermostat,etc)
am finally ready to brew this weekend. looking forward to it!
loving stone and wood pacific ale at the mo... so gonna try and have a crack at a clone of that.
heard about this site through a beersmith podcast... on ya pat!
am hoping for like minded people to steer me in the right direction!!!
thanks guys.
lets do it!
Post #2482 made 14 years ago
Welcome chetduggan,
Great way to get started with BIAB with three brews already fermenting. Looking forward to hearing how they turn out.
Great way to get started with BIAB with three brews already fermenting. Looking forward to hearing how they turn out.
Fermenting:
Bottle Conditioning
Up Next:
Bottle Conditioning
Up Next:
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- SVA Brewer With Over 20 Brews From United States of America
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Post #2483 made 14 years ago
Good day Jammerbrewsgood,
I did the same thing. I went straight from extract to all grain with BIAB and have never looked back.
You will get all the help you will need here. Folks are very knowledgeable and ready to assist.
Good luck with your brew this weekend.
I did the same thing. I went straight from extract to all grain with BIAB and have never looked back.
You will get all the help you will need here. Folks are very knowledgeable and ready to assist.
Good luck with your brew this weekend.
Fermenting:
Bottle Conditioning
Up Next:
Bottle Conditioning
Up Next:
-
- SVA Brewer With Over 20 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #2484 made 14 years ago
Hey everyone!
I'm currently living in North Texas almost to the Oklahoma boarder.
Someone in the HomeBrewTalk forum posted something about this forum and from that I thought I'd check it out as I'd like to get into, or at least know more about, the whole BIAB process. I'm actually pretty impressed with the site so far. I haven't even scratched the surface of this site yet but from what I've seen I'm hopeful that trolling through this forum is going to a worthwhile effort without much nonsense and heckling.
I've been extract brewing for about a year and I've been thinking about making a transfer to all grain but I don't want to deal with the massive amount of equipment required. And that is why I'm here.
I'm working in southern Oklahoma as a mechanical engineer and I spend a lot of my spare time tinkering.
I'm currently living in North Texas almost to the Oklahoma boarder.
Someone in the HomeBrewTalk forum posted something about this forum and from that I thought I'd check it out as I'd like to get into, or at least know more about, the whole BIAB process. I'm actually pretty impressed with the site so far. I haven't even scratched the surface of this site yet but from what I've seen I'm hopeful that trolling through this forum is going to a worthwhile effort without much nonsense and heckling.
I've been extract brewing for about a year and I've been thinking about making a transfer to all grain but I don't want to deal with the massive amount of equipment required. And that is why I'm here.
I'm working in southern Oklahoma as a mechanical engineer and I spend a lot of my spare time tinkering.
Post #2485 made 14 years ago
Good Day, ASchettler, Welcome!
You found the best website for BIAB information in the World.
Since you have done Extract brewing you may have all the equipment for BIAB, except a large(kettle Size) bag.
Let us know if you have any questions, and we can help you, anytime of Day!
You found the best website for BIAB information in the World.
Since you have done Extract brewing you may have all the equipment for BIAB, except a large(kettle Size) bag.
Let us know if you have any questions, and we can help you, anytime of Day!
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
-
- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #2486 made 14 years ago
hello there. I have been interested in getting into all grain lately and have seriously entertained the idea. The problem for me was how frugal I am. I really did not want to buy a MLT or rig something to serve that purpose. Ontop of that then I would need a HLT and a seperate brew kettle. That's three new vessles to buy. I have been using a ~4 gallon pot for partial mash and extract recipes. With 4 partial mash recipes down which was really similar to a scaled down version of the BIAB already, I figured I was ready to go to 10+ lbs of grain and skip the expensive DME and LME.
What I have right now is a pot I had made from stainless steel sheet metal scrap. It's a 14 inch wide(diameter) circular bottom and it's 14 inches high which gives me a little over 9 US gallons, but I'll just call it 9. For you metric people 35.6cm is 14 inches and 34 liters.
A lot of the information I found for BIAB says my pot should be a bit bigger than that or I could scale down. I would imagine I would have a big boil off ammount being a regular kettle shape instead of a keggle but I don't know how much.
Any way my one big question I have yet to find a good answer for (I did search) would be "Can I use the full weight of grains for a 5 gallon batch and just enough water to fill my 9g/34l pot to the tip pull the bag out giving me more space and then run hot sparge water over the bag (kind of like a mash out)? I'm sure I would take a few percent off of efficiency but people say they get ~70-80 percent using this method any way. And with ~170 degree "sparge" water it would pull some extra wort out of the bag. Since my pot can handle a full volume boil for 5 gallons but probably not quite a full volume for a 5 gallon BIAB.
Or maybe my best option would be for a smaller batch.
What I have right now is a pot I had made from stainless steel sheet metal scrap. It's a 14 inch wide(diameter) circular bottom and it's 14 inches high which gives me a little over 9 US gallons, but I'll just call it 9. For you metric people 35.6cm is 14 inches and 34 liters.
A lot of the information I found for BIAB says my pot should be a bit bigger than that or I could scale down. I would imagine I would have a big boil off ammount being a regular kettle shape instead of a keggle but I don't know how much.
Any way my one big question I have yet to find a good answer for (I did search) would be "Can I use the full weight of grains for a 5 gallon batch and just enough water to fill my 9g/34l pot to the tip pull the bag out giving me more space and then run hot sparge water over the bag (kind of like a mash out)? I'm sure I would take a few percent off of efficiency but people say they get ~70-80 percent using this method any way. And with ~170 degree "sparge" water it would pull some extra wort out of the bag. Since my pot can handle a full volume boil for 5 gallons but probably not quite a full volume for a 5 gallon BIAB.
Or maybe my best option would be for a smaller batch.
My First Post! - Post here to become Fully Registered
Post #2487 made 14 years ago
Hello everyone. I'm obviously new to the site. Been brewing for about 1.5 years now. I'm a "traditional" brewer in that I use a gravity system and three vessels. I hadn't heard about BIAB when I started but have since become very interested. I'm considering buying the material for a bag and giving it a whirl.
A couple friends of mine who are newer brewers jumped right in from never-having-brewed to BIAB. They have already made 2 or 3 batches BIAB.
I'm here to learn and see how BIAB brewing can make me a better brewer of at least expand my knowledge of a hobby I love so that if I can, I might get even more people into the hobby.
A couple friends of mine who are newer brewers jumped right in from never-having-brewed to BIAB. They have already made 2 or 3 batches BIAB.
I'm here to learn and see how BIAB brewing can make me a better brewer of at least expand my knowledge of a hobby I love so that if I can, I might get even more people into the hobby.
Post #2488 made 14 years ago
Hood Day Karoffel, Welcome Aboard. Great to hear your well into BIAB already.
To help woith an Idea, your system looks good to do MAXI-BIAB, See the Commentary...http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=190
I normally use 75% of the needed water for the mash, and Dunk/teabag/Sparge the grains in another pot with the other 25%. I then Squeeze the bag nearly dry(no tannins), and get very good results.
To help woith an Idea, your system looks good to do MAXI-BIAB, See the Commentary...http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=190
I normally use 75% of the needed water for the mash, and Dunk/teabag/Sparge the grains in another pot with the other 25%. I then Squeeze the bag nearly dry(no tannins), and get very good results.
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
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- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #2489 made 14 years ago
Good Day Hafmpty, Welcome to the site!
Your friends are correct, BIAB is the best way to brew, with the least equipment, But, You can now do 3 BIAB Batches at a time!
This is the place to learn evcerything about BIAB that is known, Look around.
If you have any questions, Please post, and someone WILL answert.
Your friends are correct, BIAB is the best way to brew, with the least equipment, But, You can now do 3 BIAB Batches at a time!
This is the place to learn evcerything about BIAB that is known, Look around.
If you have any questions, Please post, and someone WILL answert.
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
-
- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #2490 made 14 years ago
Hi. My name is Kristian and I just started brewing all-grain beer. I have an insulated 60 litres plastic kettle (PP) with two 2000W water-boiler heating elements and a ball valve.
First post
First post
Post #2491 made 14 years ago
Welcome kristian 
. Wow! That's a nice big electric kettle 
.
. Wow! That's a nice big electric kettle .If you have found the above or anything else of value on BIABrewer.info, consider supporting us by getting some BIPs!
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- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From Australia
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Post #2492 made 14 years ago
I'm from Corner Brok, Newfoundland, Canada. I'm looking at brewing my first batch of AG and have helped a friend with a nice three kettle setup and was looking for an easier/cheaper way in...hence I found this method and then the site.
I think this kit may work for me to start with a 5 gal batch.
[url=http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2 ... R~0851119P
/Master+Chef+Country+Cooker+Kit.jsp]Turkey Fryer[/url]
I've only brewed with friends and helped my dad with a cheapola kit when I was younger.
I think this kit may work for me to start with a 5 gal batch.
[url=http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2 ... R~0851119P
/Master+Chef+Country+Cooker+Kit.jsp]Turkey Fryer[/url]
I've only brewed with friends and helped my dad with a cheapola kit when I was younger.
Post #2493 made 14 years ago
turnonthejets,
Welcome! You found the right site. Friends that will help you learn and "Me too"!
Welcome! You found the right site. Friends that will help you learn and "Me too"!
Last edited by BobBrews on 20 Apr 2012, 01:43, edited 1 time in total.
tap 1 Raspberry wine
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
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- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #2494 made 14 years ago
Thanks Bob, I'm looking for an idea for a first recipe to try. I was thinking of something adventurous like a chocolate stout or black ipa, any thoughts for a 5 gal recipe?BobBrews wrote:turnonthejets,
Welcome! You found the right site. Friends that will help learn and "me too"!
Last edited by turnonthejets on 20 Apr 2012, 01:43, edited 13 times in total.
Post #2495 made 14 years ago
hi folks - I am an AG brewer in the US who has moved into a slightly tighter space for brewing equipment. I have a Blichmann 10 gallon mash tun and am making my bag right now for that. I plan to do 5 gallon batches BIAB to save a little time and try to keep my equipment minimal. I have a 48qt mash tun with a stainless braid I use now but would love to eliminate that out of the rotation.
Post #2496 made 14 years ago
turnonthejets,
My vote is for a Black IPA! Here is a link to the recipe http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/blac ... n-kit.html I tweaked this recipe into three different beers. I entered one a few months ago and took a first place. Print out the recipe and buy your ingredients from your local home brew shop! This beer must sit a little while but I use this beer as a sipper in the evening! It is not a beer to quaff while cutting the grass!
My vote is for a Black IPA! Here is a link to the recipe http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/blac ... n-kit.html I tweaked this recipe into three different beers. I entered one a few months ago and took a first place. Print out the recipe and buy your ingredients from your local home brew shop! This beer must sit a little while but I use this beer as a sipper in the evening! It is not a beer to quaff while cutting the grass!
Last edited by BobBrews on 20 Apr 2012, 01:51, edited 13 times in total.
tap 1 Raspberry wine
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
-
- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #2497 made 14 years ago
Hey everyone!
I'm Adam, from Durham in the UK. I came across the BIABrewer site while...searching for BIAB information! It really does seem to be the most comprehensive site out there for mini and maxi information, which is what I'm most interested in at the minute.
I've been brewing for knocking on 6 years now on and off. Most of these were kits, I started while in my first year of University, but it only took 2 kits for me to progress onto the 2 can premium kits and I've been striving for better quality ever since.
In the last year I started really tweaking kits, bulking up with malt extract and boiling my own hop schedules for example, and even experimenting with my own "recipes" to build on top of the Coopers IPA kit (a personal favourite!).
Today I did my first 5 gallon extract brew on my stove top, and was really happy with how the day went, but it was always my intention to do extract while learning BIAB. My plan is to brew my first mini as early as next week (thinking stout) and take it from there to maxi once I'm happy with my process.
As for whether I work, well I'll tell you I do, though many would debate it! I'm a PhD student at the minute!
I'm Adam, from Durham in the UK. I came across the BIABrewer site while...searching for BIAB information! It really does seem to be the most comprehensive site out there for mini and maxi information, which is what I'm most interested in at the minute.
I've been brewing for knocking on 6 years now on and off. Most of these were kits, I started while in my first year of University, but it only took 2 kits for me to progress onto the 2 can premium kits and I've been striving for better quality ever since.
In the last year I started really tweaking kits, bulking up with malt extract and boiling my own hop schedules for example, and even experimenting with my own "recipes" to build on top of the Coopers IPA kit (a personal favourite!).
Today I did my first 5 gallon extract brew on my stove top, and was really happy with how the day went, but it was always my intention to do extract while learning BIAB. My plan is to brew my first mini as early as next week (thinking stout) and take it from there to maxi once I'm happy with my process.
As for whether I work, well I'll tell you I do, though many would debate it! I'm a PhD student at the minute!
Post #2498 made 14 years ago
ajclarkson,
Welcome to our site! We are looking to hear how you like BIAB. Keep us informed on how you are doing and ask questions any time.
Welcome to our site! We are looking to hear how you like BIAB. Keep us informed on how you are doing and ask questions any time.
tap 1 Raspberry wine
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
-
- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #2499 made 14 years ago
Good Day Ruinah, Welcome to the Site.
BIAB is the way to save time, Space, and Equipment.
Good that your joining us!
You can NOW use the the 48qt mash tun to hold a couple of cases of beer on Ice and never block the drain plug, and show your friends your recycled cooler!
Let us know if you have question!!
BIAB is the way to save time, Space, and Equipment.
Good that your joining us!
You can NOW use the the 48qt mash tun to hold a couple of cases of beer on Ice and never block the drain plug, and show your friends your recycled cooler!
Let us know if you have question!!
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
-
- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #2500 made 14 years ago
Morning all!
BIABer from Leeds UK. Looking forward to getting involved here!
BIABer from Leeds UK. Looking forward to getting involved here!
