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If I change it up, add a sparge, and see equal efficiency with less effort on the squeeze I'll call it good. Need to give it a try because I've got some recipes coming up that will have to be sparged just due to the size of the grain bill.

Pretty much a perfect brew day today running my 3rd batch on the 10.5 AF. Volume and gravity readings were all as predicted, pretty happy about that. Ended up at 75% mash/lauter efficiency with a full volume mash, right on target. Did a 90 minute mash, waited 15 minutes to start recirculation...

Really can't help. All I've ever known is Beersmith, still using V2, and have liked it enough to stick with it. Tons of info on this forum, I'd just do some reading get others opinions. I just know I wouldn't go back to brewing without it. 🍻

At that OG, with those hop additions, you made an IPA my friend. Sounds good though! If you're going to commit to all grain, then get some software. It's a lot to process at first, but it adds SO much to your beer and your brew day. So far nothing sounds out of place. Post the full recipe you...

Congrats on your first venture making "real" beer! All grain is a lot more work but the sense of accomplishment more than makes up for it. You can't beat the body and mouthfeel of all grain, once you get your process dialed extract or partial mash just won't measure up. Your numbers are well in...

There are carbonation tablets, or drops, out there on the market already that are designed to be added to each 12oz bottle of beer. Hit the googles, order up and save the batch.

This is why I'm thinking an electric winch, good control up and down. For now I've got plenty of ratcheting straps so I'll rig something up until I come up with a more permanent solution.

Are you using the rope ratchet they offer as well? Do you have to hold the release to let the rope back out? Or is it more like a switch? Seems it might be a pain getting the bag back down if you have to hold the release with one hand the whole time.

Not arguing that wouldn't work as well. But I already paid for the grain pipe. And the Brew Bag that fits it. 99% of my recipes will work as is with no problem. I'm trying to avoid sparging, mostly because I'm lazy and the whole goal with the AF was simplicity. If I do need to sparge I'd much...

I totally agree. I'm planning to put a cheap rope hoist on the ceiling in the garage soon for this reason.

This right here is the only real unknown and I planned to do a similar calculation to find out exactly what's lost on the outside of the grain pipe. I mentioned that set at 1.45qt/lb on BS it seemed feasible, but based on your math that will still drop me below the 1.25qt/lb I've used previously...

Watched the torture test by Genus that was posted in this thread and managed to find this post as well as I look into adapting my bigger AVB recipes to the AF. Thanks for sharing this, Noob! I've got three recipes I do pretty regularly that are right at 16lbs that I'm no longer worried about at...

With only 3 taps (used to have seven) I'm going to try and commit to having at least one on tap that goes over well with a crowd and will definitely give this a try. I was thinking a lime gose or a salted lime lager as well during the hotter months here. Beer!

Thanks for sharing this! So have you done this? If yes, what was your experience with the flavor of the final beer?

Absolutely! I went three years without brewing, when this thing arrived I was itching! Hop spiders are just something I know I'm pretty picky about. They either work for the rig or they don't. The one I ordered apparently has a total depth of 26" which should be perfect and the removable arm...

Here's how I was taught and have always done it. Bring the strike water up to temp, verify your volume for mash in and adjust as necessary. Then if your grain absorption is set up right you'll come to your pre-boil volume. Then if your boil off rate is right you'll hit your post boil volume...

So do you not worry about pre-boil volume? Always been my understanding that shrinkage is for the back end of the boil, not the cold side. 🤷‍♂️

What version of BS are you using? I don't see the ability to deselect "Adjust Temp For Equipment" on your Mash screen? I'm on the older V2 so I'm guessing they got rid of that in which case you will have to enter one manually. (Edit: A little digging indicates that V3 might negate tun temp as...

I waited until I used the system to order a hop spider as a few I'd seen used with the AF looked awkward. Ended up ordering a 400 micron, 6'x14' steel mesh basket from AHS that has an adjustable hanger. This allows you to really drop it down into the kettle and the size is already confirmed to...

I agree on temp differentials when doughing in and have been doing similar to Noob's routine, checking the temps at the top and comparing them to the digital readout. In Beersmith I've always adjusted grain temp as the strike water comes up and made the appropriate change to compensate. I used...