I am happy to find this thread. I started out brewing 5 gallon extract batches on the stove top. I have made many great beer, many so so beer, and some duds. My overall process was what you could expect. I usually did a three gallon boil, down to 2.5 and added water in the carboy. I started kegging and usually have two beers on tap at all times (usually one light one dark). I drink them slow however and sometime I get tired of drinking the same two two beers night in night out.
Then came the small batch revolution. I started seeing kits online (Northern Brewer/ Austin Homebrew, etc.) Well since I had everything already I decided to give it try. I thought it would be a good way to start experimenting more with grains and hops and yeast varieties. I also thought it would be a good way to start learning about mashing and all grain process.
Overall I am happy with the 1 gallon process. Overall it's an easier brew day. Time frame is roughly the same. The yield is lower, but I am fine with that because I usually have something on tap, a practice I will continue. I guess the advantage to me is two fold: 1- I like brewing, it relaxes me. 2- I like the experimentation and once I hit on a beer I like I scale it up on my buddy's gravity fed all grain system and keg.
I would like to see more 1 gallon recipes out there. I know how to scale them myself and I do it often, but I also like knowing someone has tried something and worked or not.
That's all, brew on my friends.
Then came the small batch revolution. I started seeing kits online (Northern Brewer/ Austin Homebrew, etc.) Well since I had everything already I decided to give it try. I thought it would be a good way to start experimenting more with grains and hops and yeast varieties. I also thought it would be a good way to start learning about mashing and all grain process.
Overall I am happy with the 1 gallon process. Overall it's an easier brew day. Time frame is roughly the same. The yield is lower, but I am fine with that because I usually have something on tap, a practice I will continue. I guess the advantage to me is two fold: 1- I like brewing, it relaxes me. 2- I like the experimentation and once I hit on a beer I like I scale it up on my buddy's gravity fed all grain system and keg.
I would like to see more 1 gallon recipes out there. I know how to scale them myself and I do it often, but I also like knowing someone has tried something and worked or not.
That's all, brew on my friends.