Survey for AG Brewers: Fly or Batch Sparge?

**BrightSpot** · 10-24-2011, 02:05 AM

I've been brewing AG for about a year (2 batches per month). I brewed extract for a long time before that. When deciding to go AG, I was torn between traditional fly sparge and batch sparge (Denny Conn style). For myriad reasons, I chose the batch sparge method and have since brewed over 100 gallons this way.

Out of sheer curiosity, I'm wondering how many all-grain brewers have chosen fly sparge over batch sparge, and vice versa. Also, why?

Cheers to all!

**JuanMoore** · 10-24-2011, 02:22 AM

I've tried both, but prefer to batch sparge. It's fast, easy, and hard to screw up.

tom_hampton · 10-24-2011, 02:22 AM

Batch all the way. I was like you originally...felt like fly was the purest way to go. Now, I couldn't care less. Batch works great. The slight loss in efficiency doesn't seem worth the trouble to get the 'perfect' fly.

**shutupjojo** · 10-24-2011, 02:23 AM

For 21 years now I have fly sparged and the beers have been great. Since I have been a member here I have thought of batch sparging as a lazy , off the regular brewing path.
The last few batches I have brewed, I tried the double batch sparge from that Bobby guy and I think the beer is much more maltier and better quality tasting. I know there are many dynamics and brew systems but I can definitely say my beer is better this way

StokedBrew · 10-24-2011, 02:26 AM

Batch. And Denny is king. What he says is law.
Fly sparge is for people who lack patience.

**shutupjojo** · 10-24-2011, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StokedBrew

Batch. And Denny is king. What he says is law.
Fly sparge is for people who lack patience.

I think it takes more patience to fly sparge and I can't understand why you have to think that Denny is law. Don't you have your own way ?

**jagg** · 10-24-2011, 02:36 AM

Batch, never fly sparged

**BrightSpot** · 10-24-2011, 02:38 AM

I would have to agree that fly sparge requires more patience... perhaps you meant, "fly sparge is for people who lack a lack of patience."

I've only ever batch sparged, and I can't say I'm displeased with my results. That said, I certainly do wonder what my beers would taste like using the fly sparge method. Hmm... that might be a good experiment for the dudes at Basic Brewing!

Beezy · 10-24-2011, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shutupjojo

For 21 years now I have fly sparged and the beers have been great. Since I have been a member here I have thought of batch sparging as a lazy , off the regular brewing path.
The last few batches I have brewed, I tried the double batch sparge from that Bobby guy and I think the beer is much more maltier and better quality tasting. I know there are many dynamics and brew systems but I can definitely say my beer is better this way

Many right ways to do it. That's the beauty of brewing. I batch. Single sparge. Thinking about trying no sparge even.

**old_tx_kbb** · 10-24-2011, 03:03 AM

I fly sparged for years, because that's how I learned to brew back in
the 90's....

I've re-evaluated my efforts and efficiencies and I'm a batch sparger now....I'd be happy to part with my sparge arm any day....although it did look cool spinning around....