My experience: decoctions are always worth it.

Out from left field, thought I'd get people's opinions on decoctions. I have seen some anti-decoction viewpoints around the internet, but after tasting my second decoction brew I'm definitely for it.
The first decoction I did was a technically complex double decoction a long time ago and while I thought the beer was totally great (an alt), I thought the process was a bit too involved to try again readily.

Never did it again for whatever reason until the second lager I made. Used low quality grain and leftover hops and W34/70 yeast but did a kind of single decoction. I didn't expect much from this beer, it was just kind of to use up leftovers but it's got a creamy, literally everlasting head and just has a professional smoothness to the flavour. Other than the decoction this brew would have been a reject, but it's turned out great.

I'm going to be doing a lot more decoctions in the future I think. even the single (taking an extra 10 minutes of work time) was completely worth it.

 

I'm a big fan of doing a mash out decoction. I pull about 6-8 quarts of thick mash when there is about 30 mins left in a 60 minute mash, and boil it for about 20 minutes to develop some color. I then add it back to the main mash and let it sit for a few minutes and start the run off.

I do find I get a slightly higher efficiency when I do this, but it mainly helps develop a little complexity and an additional light layer of flavor that helps to make things like Munich Dunkels or pilsners that much better. Plus it's time I get to spend interacting with the beer on brew day and helps me stay warm when it's cold out.

 

I think there is a flavor and a texture that you get with decoction that you don't get anywhere else. Recently, I used it on a Dort. Export and didn't use in in a Vienna lager. The difference is obvious.

Melanoidin can be used to simulate it. But it taste is different.

That said, some people prefer the cleaner flavor of a step mash. Some people prefer Melanoidin. I usually don't mind grinding out a decoction mash. I like the resulting beer. Sometimes it seems a bit tedious and i skip it, like with the Vienna lager.

 

yeah, id like to keep doing a mash out decoction. i have a feeling i've used it at least once but can't remember besides this most recent time.

i think the flavour is more cohesive (i know that's so general a description), but mainly the body and head quality.

 

Drinking a double decocted Maibock this evening, delicious.

Decoctions are fun, they are very cool, and if homebrewing was about being "easy" I'd buy my beer at the store.

 

Do you do this to most of your beers or are there a few styles you only do this for?

 

I do mash out decoctions for pretty much anything German, especially the very malty German styles - Oktoberfest, Munich Dunkel, Doppelbock, etc.