I have been thinking about starting to brew at home. The problem is I live in a little one bedroom apartment. The smallest batch I ever see people talking about is 5 gallons. Would it be possible to do smaller batch or is 5 gallons the magic number?
5 is the magic number primarily because it is the size mist common for your standard home fermenter. One could produce 3 gallon batches or smaller, but the increased space in the fermenter could lead to oxygenation. Not common, but it is possible.
Also the brewing process is time consuming and laborious. To spend an afternoon brewing and make anything less than 5 gallons (roughly 60 beers) would be tantamount to wasting. If you're content to spend your time and energy on a smaller batch, be my guest. But you'll still use the same amount of yeast, which can be a costly part of brew. Personally I make 10 to 15 gallon, but that's mostly because my friends can't leave my beer alone. I've had kegs (also 5gal) finished within hours before. It would be too much work to spend a days time for 3 hours worth of beer.
So, best of luck in your endeavors. Make whatever size batches you wish, but eventually when you make a phenomenal beer, I bet you'll wish you had made more.
5 is the magic number primarily because it is the size mist common for your standard home fermenter. One could produce 3 gallon batches or smaller, but the increased space in the fermenter could lead to oxygenation. Not common, but it is possible.
Also the brewing process is time consuming and laborious. To spend an afternoon brewing and make anything less than 5 gallons (roughly 60 beers) would be tantamount to wasting. If you're content to spend your time and energy on a smaller batch, be my guest. But you'll still use the same amount of yeast, which can be a costly part of brew. Personally I make 10 to 15 gallon, but that's mostly because my friends can't leave my beer alone. I've had kegs (also 5gal) finished within hours before. It would be too much work to spend a days time for 3 hours worth of beer.
So, best of luck in your endeavors. Make whatever size batches you wish, but eventually when you make a phenomenal beer, I bet you'll wish you had made more.
iaefebs said:I vote for this as the best 7th post by a member ever.
I have been thinking about starting to brew at home. The problem is I live in a little one bedroom apartment. The smallest batch I ever see people talking about is 5 gallons. Would it be possible to do smaller batch or is 5 gallons the magic number?
Another thing to consider is how much do you drink? Do you like a variety of beers? Do you like brewing and not consider the work involved?
If you drink relatively small amounts and like to try different beer recipes then maybe smaller batches would suit you.
I have brewed 11.5L and 15.5L batches regularly mainly because I like to BIAB using Death Brewers method on the kitchen stove. Very happy with the beers and I love brewing and do not care about the work to product ratio.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/easy-stovetop-all-grain-brewing-pics-90132/
smyrnaquince said:Yes, it is true that the yeast packets are sized for 5-gallon batches and, yes, it is true that most kits are designed for 5-gallon batches, but there is nothing magic about the number 5. If the hobby had started out with 6-gallon batches, then most homebrewers would make 6 gallons at a pop.
Yes, it is true that the amount of work to brew a smaller batch is about the same as a larger batch. (The bottling obviously takes more time.) But you have to do what makes sense for your situation, considering equipment, storage space for the beer, what and how much you like to drink, time, expense, etc.
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