Scaling down partial mash recipes from 5 to 3gal. Any drawbacks?

agurkas · Nov 28, 2010

I am getting ready for my 2nd and 3rd batch (Saison Dupont clone and Honey Ale). I just don't see consuming and giving away 120 some bottle I will have with three batches.

Any downsides to scaling down recipes to 3 gallon batches using partial mash?

Dogphish · Nov 28, 2010

will the yeast still cost you the same? liquid yeast is expensive at the local brew store, about 33% of the cost for my all grain fat tire. if you're brewing less, that will constitute a larger portion of your overall cost ...but if you've been making starters, and you can stop having to make them now, it may be worth the extra relative cost.

honeybadger · Nov 28, 2010

I've done this a fair bit and haven't had any problems. As agurkas says, the only real difference is the cost.

And some may call less beer a pretty big draw back.

Beer_Guy · Nov 28, 2010

I do 2.25 and 3 gallon batches or less all the time. I split a yeast vial or pack, do a starter and save the other half for some to be brewed batch. To keep the leftovers longer I freeze the unused yeast.

Guide to Making a Frozen Yeast Bank

JLem · Nov 28, 2010

I've done a bunch of 3 gallon partial mash brews. No drawbacks as far as I am concerned. The idea that the yeast costs the same is offset by the fact that you don't need as much extract. A larger % of you total fermentables comes from grain and you can do a full boil (or closer to it), so in the end I think there are major advantages to this set-up.

Beer_Guy · Nov 28, 2010

Plus, you do not have to drink as much so-so beer if it is not that good.

(Not that ANY of mine have not turned out great.)

(Ok, maybe one or two.)

(I'm learning, OK?)

ChshreCat · Nov 28, 2010

Can't see 120 plus bottles being a bad thing. The beer isn't going to spoil after all. Plus, beers like a saison age really well.

Beer_Guy · Nov 28, 2010

I cannot see me doing 120+ bottle or 11.5 gallon batches yet.

I like doing 24-32 bottle batches. Easier to manage and uses less room. Once I do one I really like, I put it back on the brew schedule. It works for me anyway.

Scaling down partial mash recipes from 5 to 3gal. Any drawbacks?

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

agurkas

Well-Known Member

Dogphish

Well-Known Member

honeybadger

Well-Known Member

Beer_Guy

Well-Known Member

JLem

Well-Known Member

Beer_Guy

Well-Known Member

ChshreCat

Well-Known Member

Beer_Guy

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

Scaling down partial mash recipes from 5 to 3gal. Any drawbacks?

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!