1-Gallon Brewers UNITE!

[bwible]

So I opened the first bottle of Small Scale Old ale. (Above) This is 5 days in the bottle. I can see looking at the unopened bottle, the beer inside has dropped brilliant clear.

It opened with a faint hiss. Poured with light carbonation. What little head there was did not last long. Those dark grains like roasted barley are prominent in the aroma and the flavor. I might drop the bitterness down a little if I were to make this again. It will be interesting to see if this changes any over the next couple weeks.

 

[ryeguy1]

How does everyone handle water additions with small batches? Is there any concern with salts becoming more concentrated since such a high % of water is lost during the boil when compared to 5gal+ batches?

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Is there any concern with salts becoming more concentrated since such a high % of water is lost during the boil when compared to 5gal+ batches?

I calculated salt additions based on the end of boil volume.

 

[crazyjake19]

How does everyone handle water additions with small batches? Is there any concern with salts becoming more concentrated since such a high % of water is lost during the boil when compared to 5gal+ batches?

You shouldn't be losing a higher percentage of your wort because it's a small batch. Turn down the heat.

I target an 8-10% boil off whether it's a 1-gallon batch or a 5-gallon batch.

 

[MograhmDeadbraid]

I'm tired of hearing all you big boy 5-Gallon brewers telling us 1-Gallon brewers to step up. A lot of us brew 1-Gallon batches because that's all we have room for right now, not because we're afraid of stepping up our game. Trust me, if I could, I would, but in the meantime I'm actually really feeling the 1-Gallon game. Here's why:

Brew Day takes me about 3-4 hours, which includes cleanup.

I know one of the main points from 5-Gallon brewers is that "if you brew something amazing, you only have 10 bottles of it." My response- "Yea? So?" If I brew something amazing, chances are I'll brew something else amazing, and then perhaps I'll go back and brew that amazing beer again. And again.

5-Gallon brewers are always so quick to tell me- "Why put all that work in for just 10 beers." I'm not sure about you guys, but I don't consider my brew days as "work." I'm an insurance underwriter by day, but thoroughly enjoy cooking and now, brewing. I love the processes, and feel that it actually calms me. So work? I think not...

And lastly, I love the fact that I always have new things coming out of my pipeline. Yea, I just finished up drinking a really great IPA kit, but as sad as I may be to see it go, I can't wait to crack open my Weinstephaner Dunkel clone next! I'd rather have a few of LOTS of things than 50 of the same thing for 3 weeks.

So to all you big boy 5-Gallon + brewers out there, don't be so quick to hate on us 1-Gallon brewers. While eventually we'll graduate to your status, in the meantime, we're totally feeling what we've got going right now, and it's just as enjoyable for us, as it is for you. :rockin:

*Disclaimer*
This thread is not meant to pick a fight or evoke negativity. It is simply in jest, although, steeped in believed truths

I have to agree that 1 Gallon batches are amazing. One thing I have been doing with my 1 Gal batches is trying recipes that I may wnat to scale up. At least i save myself a ton of money by brewing in small batches.

When I have a batch that fails at 1 Gal at least I didn't destroy a ton of grain. And I still get to brew no matter what. So good on you dude. I will share a few one gallon recipes in the coming days as well. I might even try a kit or two this next year.

As a matter of fact, thank you for getting me to consider some new recipes for the coming days and weeks. I guess I need to figure something.