This is an article of mine that appeared on HBT 11-25-2015. I thought I would post it in this, the all-grain forum also, in the hope it be more easily accessible for future reference. Comments, thoughts are welcome.
I’ve long been a fan of European lagers and some years back had the pleasure of spending a wonderful summer in Munich with friends. We lived up the road from the famous Löwenbräu Keller and when opportunity presented itself, frequently enjoyed sampling the culinary and beer related offerings to be found there.
In recent months I have been attempting to replicate those delectable flavors from that memorable Bavarian summer by brewing some lagers and hybrid ales. These include a Munich Helles, a Munich Dunkel, two Vienna lagers, a German pilsner, a Kölsch and an Altbier.
In researching these styles of European beers I noted a trend. Traditional methods including step mashes are commonplace, being used by many breweries. These breweries often have rich histories with adherence to centuries-old arcane purity laws. They are not typically associated with experimental techniques. Perusing the database of award winning recipes from the "American Homebrewers Association" revealed a similar trend in mash profiles. It would appear that both traditional brewing methods and competition success on the national level support the use of a step mash for certain styles of beer.
The counterpoint to this anecdotal support for step mashing is the large number of well-versed and respected brewers who will quite reasonably argue, given the nature of fully modified modern malts, that there is little if any benefit to their use.
I would ask the reader to shelve their thoughts relating to this debate for the time being. The purpose of this article is primarily to illustrate the processes involved in carrying out a step mash, whilst largely ignoring the meaty topic that is the scientific basis for their usefulness or for that matter, their redundancy.
Having a metal mash-tun makes incorporating a step mash into your process a lot easier. As a happy proponent of single vessel brewing I view this as an all-too-often overlooked advantage of this brewing method, one that I feel is largely under-utilized by the majority of single vessel brewers. Step mashing is of course possible regardless of one’s all-grain setup. Options and corrective measure are however more limited if using a plastic mash-tun.
Excluding heat exchange recirculating mash systems (HERMS) and recirculating infusion mash systems (RIMS) of which I have no experience and only a rudimentary understanding, there are four ways to carry out a step mash. An accurate, calibrated thermometer and correctly dialed-in brewing software are indispensable in my opinion, if a step mash is to be undertaken.
Methods for carrying out a step mash
Step mash via direct heating
One big advantage of step mashing via direct heating is that it requires no additional pot. Disadvantages to this approach are that it is only possible if using a metal mash-tun, and that constant stirring of the mash is required during the application of heat.
A mash is a poor thermal conductor and constant stirring is needed if scorching the mash or denaturing critical enzymes via non-uniform heating is to be avoided. The measured mash temperature must be representative of the mash as a whole to prevent overshooting the desired rest temperatures. Constant stirring maintains this required thermal homogeneity.
When step mashing this way I find it best to kill the heat 1°F shy of your planned rest temperature. The residual heat in the pot will continue to warm the mash the last little bit of the way. It's analogous to driving up to a red light: you take your foot off the gas and allow the residual kinetic energy to coast you the rest of the way there.
With the insulated lid removed and constantly stirring a full-volume mash, ramping the temperature to each rest takes quite some time. Owing to its low melting point, placing insulation around the mash-tun is not safe on my setup when applying direct heat. My heat source is a natural gas stove. Reflectix insulation exposed to naked flame is an obvious fire hazard worth avoiding.
Infusion Step Mashing
Step mashing via infusions of near-boiling water requires much less work and attention from the brewer. Stirring is only needed when adding the pre-planned volumes of water to reach the desired temperatures. The mash-tun can remain insulated throughout and a metal mash-tun is not required.
The Process.
If you carry out infusion mashes this way it is impossible to overshoot your final mash volumes, an oft touted disadvantage of infusion mashing which can be particularly problematic if a sparge is planned. If you come up a bit cool on the last infusion step you can take corrective measures. The insulation is simply removed and direct heat is applied to the mash.
Decoction Step Mashing
The third way to carry out a step mash is via decoctions. This is a little more complex and time consuming but follows a similar principle: the addition of near-boiling material to the mash to raise its temperature. No direct heating of the mash is involved.
Additional issues related to decoction mashing
The first two issues can be addressed during the planning stages of a brew. The heat loss can be remedied with a corrective application of direct heat to the mash. One more benefit to having a metal mash-tun.
Hybrid Approach to Step Mashing
I typically incorporate a combined approach when carrying out a step-mash. There are of course pros and cons to each method that should be considered.
I’ll be honest here, my perspective on step mashing is that it's fun to do. I enjoy the added planning and measurement that are involved. It presses many of my inner-geek-buttons. More importantly, I am enjoying the resulting beers where a step mash was used. If adding a little complexity and additional time to your brew-day is something that doesn't phase you, I would encourage experimenting with step mashes to see for yourself what they can do for your beer.
Prost!
*Note: The names of the rests are chosen to indicate the dominant enzyme at work.
Step Mashing Concoctions, Infusions, Decoctions
I’ve long been a fan of European lagers and some years back had the pleasure of spending a wonderful summer in Munich with friends. We lived up the road from the famous Löwenbräu Keller and when opportunity presented itself, frequently enjoyed sampling the culinary and beer related offerings to be found there.
Memories of Munich
In recent months I have been attempting to replicate those delectable flavors from that memorable Bavarian summer by brewing some lagers and hybrid ales. These include a Munich Helles, a Munich Dunkel, two Vienna lagers, a German pilsner, a Kölsch and an Altbier.
In researching these styles of European beers I noted a trend. Traditional methods including step mashes are commonplace, being used by many breweries. These breweries often have rich histories with adherence to centuries-old arcane purity laws. They are not typically associated with experimental techniques. Perusing the database of award winning recipes from the "American Homebrewers Association" revealed a similar trend in mash profiles. It would appear that both traditional brewing methods and competition success on the national level support the use of a step mash for certain styles of beer.
Step Mashed Beers. Brewed for Science!
The counterpoint to this anecdotal support for step mashing is the large number of well-versed and respected brewers who will quite reasonably argue, given the nature of fully modified modern malts, that there is little if any benefit to their use.
I would ask the reader to shelve their thoughts relating to this debate for the time being. The purpose of this article is primarily to illustrate the processes involved in carrying out a step mash, whilst largely ignoring the meaty topic that is the scientific basis for their usefulness or for that matter, their redundancy.
My Stove-top setup for step mashing
Having a metal mash-tun makes incorporating a step mash into your process a lot easier. As a happy proponent of single vessel brewing I view this as an all-too-often overlooked advantage of this brewing method, one that I feel is largely under-utilized by the majority of single vessel brewers. Step mashing is of course possible regardless of one’s all-grain setup. Options and corrective measure are however more limited if using a plastic mash-tun.
Excluding heat exchange recirculating mash systems (HERMS) and recirculating infusion mash systems (RIMS) of which I have no experience and only a rudimentary understanding, there are four ways to carry out a step mash. An accurate, calibrated thermometer and correctly dialed-in brewing software are indispensable in my opinion, if a step mash is to be undertaken.
Methods for carrying out a step mash
- Directly heating the mash-tun
- Infusion step mashing
- Decoction mashing
- A hybrid approach incorporating some or all of the above
Step mash via direct heating
One big advantage of step mashing via direct heating is that it requires no additional pot. Disadvantages to this approach are that it is only possible if using a metal mash-tun, and that constant stirring of the mash is required during the application of heat.
A mash is a poor thermal conductor and constant stirring is needed if scorching the mash or denaturing critical enzymes via non-uniform heating is to be avoided. The measured mash temperature must be representative of the mash as a whole to prevent overshooting the desired rest temperatures. Constant stirring maintains this required thermal homogeneity.
When step mashing this way I find it best to kill the heat 1°F shy of your planned rest temperature. The residual heat in the pot will continue to warm the mash the last little bit of the way. It's analogous to driving up to a red light: you take your foot off the gas and allow the residual kinetic energy to coast you the rest of the way there.
With the insulated lid removed and constantly stirring a full-volume mash, ramping the temperature to each rest takes quite some time. Owing to its low melting point, placing insulation around the mash-tun is not safe on my setup when applying direct heat. My heat source is a natural gas stove. Reflectix insulation exposed to naked flame is an obvious fire hazard worth avoiding.
Infusion Step Mashing
Step mashing via infusions of near-boiling water requires much less work and attention from the brewer. Stirring is only needed when adding the pre-planned volumes of water to reach the desired temperatures. The mash-tun can remain insulated throughout and a metal mash-tun is not required.
Heat source. Insulation. Infusions at the ready. False bottom for use with my BIAB setup
The Process.
- The full water volume is collected in the boil-kettle.
- Minerals are added to target the desired water profile.
- Sodium metabisulfite/ Potassium metabisulfite is added to eliminate chloramines and chlorine.
- A measured volume of water is drawn off to a second pot: the HLT.
- The volume in the HLT is calculated to provide all the water needed for infusions and any planned sparge. (I typically do not incorporate a sparge step into my brewing.)
- The water in the HLT is brought to a boil and a simmer maintained with the lid on.
- Strike water is heated to target and dough-in completed as normal hitting the first rest temperature.
- Pre-calculated volumes of the collected boiling water are added to the main mash, heating it to the next planned rest temperature.
- The mash is stirred thoroughly while adding the hot water to ensure homogeneity and representative temperature readings.
Confirming correct rest temperature
If you carry out infusion mashes this way it is impossible to overshoot your final mash volumes, an oft touted disadvantage of infusion mashing which can be particularly problematic if a sparge is planned. If you come up a bit cool on the last infusion step you can take corrective measures. The insulation is simply removed and direct heat is applied to the mash.
Decoction Step Mashing
The third way to carry out a step mash is via decoctions. This is a little more complex and time consuming but follows a similar principle: the addition of near-boiling material to the mash to raise its temperature. No direct heating of the mash is involved.
- A thick portion of the mash is removed to a second pot. This is the decoction.
- The decoction is heated.
- An optional step is to carry out a conversion rest on the decoction itself before heating it further.
- The decoction is brought to a boil and subsequently boiled for a period of time. Once again, constant stirring of the decocted portion of the mash is needed when heat is applied.
- The decoction is then returned to the main mash raising its temperature to the next planned rest temperature.
- This process can be repeated as needed depending on the number of steps.
Pulling the Decoction
Boiling the Decoction. Smells great!
Additional issues related to decoction mashing
- My brewing software typically under estimates the required decoction volume.
- Mash pH appears to be slightly lower, (~0.1) than planned when a decoction is used.
- I have noted heat loss from the primary mash while pulling the decoction.
The first two issues can be addressed during the planning stages of a brew. The heat loss can be remedied with a corrective application of direct heat to the mash. One more benefit to having a metal mash-tun.
Mash pH is measured when the mash is at its maximal volume
Hybrid Approach to Step Mashing
I typically incorporate a combined approach when carrying out a step-mash. There are of course pros and cons to each method that should be considered.
- Infusions are easy to calculate, prepare and carry out.
- Directly heating the mash-tun is very accurate but more work is involved. Ramping duration, (the time spent going from one rest to the next) is also significantly longer than with infusion step mashes.
- Decoction mashing takes a bit more trial and error to work out the details.
Recently used example of a hybrid mash profile incorporating infusions and direct heating
- Dough-in at beta amylase rest*
- Infusion of near boiling water to reach a combined rest
- Infusion near boiling water to reach alpha amylase rest*
- Direct heating to reach mash-out rest
Recently used example of a hybrid mash profile incorporating an infusion, decoction and direct heating
- Dough-in to hit a short, high temperature protein rest.
- Infusion of near boiling water to reach beta amylase rest*
- Single decoction to reach alpha amylase rest*
- Direct heating to reach mash-out rest.
I’ll be honest here, my perspective on step mashing is that it's fun to do. I enjoy the added planning and measurement that are involved. It presses many of my inner-geek-buttons. More importantly, I am enjoying the resulting beers where a step mash was used. If adding a little complexity and additional time to your brew-day is something that doesn't phase you, I would encourage experimenting with step mashes to see for yourself what they can do for your beer.
Prost!
*Note: The names of the rests are chosen to indicate the dominant enzyme at work.
