Ok, I'm sick of waiting - micro-batch recipe critique

IndyPABrewGuy · 04-24-2008, 07:21 PM

Hey all -

Am I stupid (don't answer that)? I've been waiting for 10 gallons of RIS to finish up fermenting for the last month. I only have two, 5 gal primaries, and their both in use. I haven't brewed in a month and I'm itching to put something together. I have three 5 gal better bottles, but haven't used them for primary, ever, and will need two of them for the RIS shortly. So I sort of have an issue, but I think I have a solution.

My basement is full of growlers. I use them to make starters, so why not use them as primaries? I put this little gem together on the fly, and was hoping for a critque.

IPA

2 gal batch, full boil, All Grain

3.5 lbs. American 2-row
.25 lbs. Crystal 60L
.25 lbs. Munich
.10 lbs. Special B

Hop Schedule
.5 oz. Cascade 60 min
.5 oz. Cascade 20 min
.5 oz. Cascade 5 min
.5 oz. Cascade 0 min

DH 1 oz. Cascade in secondary.

Yeast - US-05

Now be gentle. I haven't spec'd it with BeerSmith yet. I will do that when I get home. I'm more looking for whether or not what I'm thinking about doing is dumb and I should just drink instead of brew and wait for the RIS to be done. I would, though, like to do this mainly because it would be my first AG batch, and if I screw up, I wouldn't have 5 gallons to get rid of.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

**TexLaw** · 04-24-2008, 07:40 PM

What is wrong with that third Better Bottle?

TL

**the_bird** · 04-24-2008, 07:49 PM

Growlers as primaries? You going to siphon out of each of them? Total PITA (not to mention the PITA to do a full AG batch and only get two gallons of wort).

Why on earth don't you want to use the BB as a primary?

sconnie · 04-24-2008, 07:53 PM

I've made gallon batches with 1 gallon jugs, I don't see why a growler wouldn't work.
My question is, special B? In an IPA? I've never tried that. What kind of an effect on the taste does a small amount of Special B have?

IndyPABrewGuy · 04-24-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexLaw

What is wrong with that third Better Bottle?

TL

It's currently fermenting air.

Nothing is wrong with it. I've contemplated making a full 5 gal batch. That would mean I'd have to do a PM batch. I'm really interested in doing something like this becasue it would be my first AG batch without making the investment that is needed to get my 10 gal AG setup. I guess I'm just excited about that fact.

-Dave

IndyPABrewGuy · 04-24-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sconnie

I've made gallon batches with 1 gallon jugs, I don't see why a growler wouldn't work.
My question is, special B? In an IPA? I've never tried that. What kind of an effect on the taste does a small amount of Special B have?

Honestly, I don't know. That's why I want to try it.

I"m not set on the recipe. I'm not set on doing an IPA. I'd gladly do something like Edwort's Haus PA. Like I said in my previous post, I think I'm more excited about the AG aspect.

-Dave

**the_bird** · 04-24-2008, 08:02 PM

Personally, I'd do something simple (like EdWort's PA) as a partial mash. Do a full batch, you're much less apt to have issues that if you're trying to transfer into and out of and splitting yeast between all those growlers.

IndyPABrewGuy · 04-24-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_bird

Personally, I'd do something simple (like EdWort's PA) as a partial mash. Do a full batch, you're much less apt to have issues that if you're trying to transfer into and out of and splitting yeast between all those growlers.

It makes good sense, I guess. If you're gonna put in the time, you might as well get the most out of it, right?

Now I have to go buy a blowoff tube. . . . . .

Oh, and I think I'm out of sanitizer.

Thanks for talking me out of Stupidville.

-Dave

CBBaron · 04-24-2008, 08:14 PM

Its not a stupid idea but it is just a matter of trade-off between time spent making the beer and drinking it. With one gallon fermenters your only going to get a 6pack out of each. It hardly seems worth the several hour brew. At 4 gallons you will have atleast a case and a half and it doesn't take much more time.

My suggestion would be to make a 4 gal batch and ferment it in the 5 gal bottle. Let it ferment 3 weeks then bottle. Trying to put a full 5gal in the bottle will result in alot of lost beer through the blowoff.

An even better solution is to get yourself a couple more ale pails. 6.5gal, cheap and easy to use.

Craig

**the_bird** · 04-24-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyPABrewGuy

It makes good sense, I guess. If you're gonna put in the time, you might as well get the most out of it, right?

Now I have to go buy a blowoff tube. . . . . .

Oh, and I think I'm out of sanitizer.

Thanks for talking me out of Stupidville.

-Dave

I'm sure that our buddy Tex will chime in shortly recommending that you buy some "Fermcap," which apparantly is the shiz-dizzle when it comes to eliminating blowoff problems (it's an anti-foam agent that apparently has no adverse effect on head retention). That'll help you brew a 4.5ish gallon batch (leaving you about 4 gallons of beer) in a 5-gallon BB.