Ok I am feeling very confident after my brew day on Saturday. I nailed my volumes and nailed my expected OG. Anyhoooo I am looking at making a kolsch and was wondering about step mashing. If some of the more experienced guys wanted to chime in and have a discussion on the pro's and cons of step mashing?
So.....
Step Mashing
Why I should/shouldn't do it?
What are the effects?
Who does it?
Post #2 made 15 years ago
Good on you OB! Keep an eye on your measurements for a while though as they tend to play up occasionally 
. Also, if you start making changes to the standard way you brew, start taking some good notes as sometimes you'll blame a change on something you shouldn't have!
As for step mashing, it is an easy thing to do with BIAB but I have never bothered doing it as I have never found the need for the beers that I brew. Several regular gold medal lager and pilsner brewers I know don't worry about it so the only thing I can offer here is a link to an interesting PM I received from AndrewQLD when I asked him why he bothered step mashing a clone of a Cooper's Pale Ale recipe. He basically stated that he did it to get the final gravity to drop further.
I copied his PM in this post.
Cheers,
PP
. Also, if you start making changes to the standard way you brew, start taking some good notes as sometimes you'll blame a change on something you shouldn't have!As for step mashing, it is an easy thing to do with BIAB but I have never bothered doing it as I have never found the need for the beers that I brew. Several regular gold medal lager and pilsner brewers I know don't worry about it so the only thing I can offer here is a link to an interesting PM I received from AndrewQLD when I asked him why he bothered step mashing a clone of a Cooper's Pale Ale recipe. He basically stated that he did it to get the final gravity to drop further.
I copied his PM in this post.
Cheers,
PP
Last edited by PistolPatch on 20 Sep 2010, 18:00, edited 5 times in total.
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Post #3 made 15 years ago
Good resource, fairly heavy going but a rich vein nevertheless.
Step mashing by decoction is great for malt character and manipulating enzymes (as per AndrewQld), but it can be frustrating to get it just right, I do it with my Munich Helles.
I'd tackle step mashing only if you need to and not for fun as there can be unforeseen consequences, eg. protein rest some ale malts and head retention drops off fairly badly. Having said that, practice makes perfect, but be prepared for the odd surprise.
Step mashing by decoction is great for malt character and manipulating enzymes (as per AndrewQld), but it can be frustrating to get it just right, I do it with my Munich Helles.
I'd tackle step mashing only if you need to and not for fun as there can be unforeseen consequences, eg. protein rest some ale malts and head retention drops off fairly badly. Having said that, practice makes perfect, but be prepared for the odd surprise.
Last edited by Ralph on 20 Sep 2010, 18:17, edited 5 times in total.
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Post #4 made 14 years ago
Stir, stir, stir, and stir some more. Thenjoshua wrote:Good Day again, I use an old electronic PID temperature contoller with a 1500watt hotplate, it makes multi-step mashs, or a ramp mash possible, I still have trouble figuring out how to "step" a Gas Turkey fryer, without overshooting every rest!
Or reserve some of your water (calculate it out before you start) and add boil water into your mash for the steps.
Last edited by Two If By Sea on 05 Feb 2011, 01:58, edited 5 times in total.
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Post #5 made 14 years ago
The best way is to have an eager brewers assistant 
Fermenting: -
Cubed: -
Stirplate: -
On Tap: NS Summer Ale III (WY1272), Landlord III (WY1469), Fighter's 70/- II (WY1272), Roast Porter (WY1028), Cider, Soda
Next: Munich Helles III
5/7/12
Cubed: -
Stirplate: -
On Tap: NS Summer Ale III (WY1272), Landlord III (WY1469), Fighter's 70/- II (WY1272), Roast Porter (WY1028), Cider, Soda
Next: Munich Helles III
5/7/12
Post #6 made 14 years ago
That is a very helpful document! I haven't actually step mashed yet as I have decided to concentrate on the fermenting side of things. However, when it comes to beer these days, my brain is a sponge, im absorbing everything! 
Post #7 made 14 years ago
There is a fair bit of information in How To Brew
It's used to measure the potential extract of a batch of grain under laboratory conditions. Our efficiency measures are relative to the congress results
It's used to measure the potential extract of a batch of grain under laboratory conditions. Our efficiency measures are relative to the congress results
Fermenting: -
Cubed: -
Stirplate: -
On Tap: NS Summer Ale III (WY1272), Landlord III (WY1469), Fighter's 70/- II (WY1272), Roast Porter (WY1028), Cider, Soda
Next: Munich Helles III
5/7/12
Cubed: -
Stirplate: -
On Tap: NS Summer Ale III (WY1272), Landlord III (WY1469), Fighter's 70/- II (WY1272), Roast Porter (WY1028), Cider, Soda
Next: Munich Helles III
5/7/12
