2 1/2 gallon batches

[trainfever]

I am new to beer making. My first batch is still brewing. It is a 5 gallon batch. I know that 5 gallon batches are the norm and that is all I seem to be finding but does anyone know of someone selling 2 1/2 gallon kits? I would rather stick to kits right now. I know I can take a 5 gallon kit and only use half the ingredients but I would rather not have to split things up yet. I would like to make smaller batches so as not to have long of a wait between brews and have different samples of beer.

 

[Kayos]

I think you best bet is to post what kind of beer you like or what kits you like and we would be more than happy to make it into a 2.5 gallon batch. I have done it a few times for friends who have Mr. Beer kits but don't want to get ripped off. You post a type of beer and I can make you a 2.5 gallon recipe. Probably cheaper than the kit anyway.......

 

[trainfever]

Thats the whole problem. I dont want to have to worry about buying separate ingredients. I want everything in a kit. I dont know what beers I want to try yet. I was planning on seeing who had what kits and then deciding from there.

 

[DeathBrewer]

you're still going to wait just as long. 2.5 gallon batches do not ferment or condition any faster than 5 gallon batches.

but if you are stuck on making a small batch, it would be no problem buying the ingredients seperately.

here is the easiest recipe...an extract hefeweizen. for a 2.5 gallon batch, all you would need is:

- 3 lbs Wheat Dry Malt Extract
(they usually sell them in 3 lb bags)
- 0.5 oz Hallertau hops
(you can also use tettnanger, saaz or others...you may have to purchase 2-4 oz, tho, depending on your store)
- 1 vial - White Labs WLP300 Yeast
(my favorite, any "wheat" yeast will do the trick)

that's it! it will make for a great beer. if you do decide to make five gallons, just double the extract and hops (6 lbs and 1 oz)

good luck and if you have any more questions let me know

EDIT: Just got your last post. i think you're going to have trouble finding a 2.5 gallon kit. just purchase a 5 gallon kit and save the ingredients. hops and DME don't store horribly and you'll use them later.

 

[trainfever]

I know it takes just as long to brew a 2 1/2 gallon batch as it does a 5 gallon batch but I can drink a 2 1/2 gallon batch quicker than I can a 5.

 

[McKBrew]

You are not likely to find 2 1/2 gallon kits. If you want smaller batches you'll have to buy all your ingredients and work from a recipe. Or you could buy a kit, weigh the ingredients, and split them in half. That way if you like the beer, you'd still have 2 1/2 gallons left.

 

[Kayos]

Not really understanding why you want the kits instead of seperate. Why is it more convenient? You either buy a kit, or the ingredients for the kit. We are more than happy to break apart a kit for you and tell you what to buy. Then the brewing is the same.

 

[JalaPeno]

The Home Brewery has 2 1/2 gallon beer kits. They have 4 kits: American Classic, Golden Wheat, London Pale Ale, and a Nut Brown Ale. I picked up my 2 1/2 Nut Brown @ Homebrew Headquarters in Richardson, Tx.

 

[Benny Blanco]

Well, hey...if you can't drink the 5 gallons then I'll be more than happy to take the other 2 1/2 gallons off your hands.

 

[TapeDeck]

DOH! Accidental thread resurrect!

 

[hoppybrewster]

I've never tried to cut one of my recipes in half. Do steep and boil times remain the same? Do all the volumes stay the same? Full amount of yeast ?

 

[stargate_to_Earth]

I would suggest doing the 5 gallon batch and just letting the beer age longer...

 

[RM-MN]

I've never tried to cut one of my recipes in half. Do steep and boil times remain the same? Do all the volumes stay the same? Full amount of yeast ?

You cut all the ingredients in half since you are doing half as much beer. The steep and boil still takes the same because you are doing chemical processes, isomerizing the hop oils for bittering and extracting the sugars and color from your steeping grains. The yeast could be cut in half but what will you do with the other half? It won't hurt to have extra yeast in it nearly as badly as having too little.

 

[hoppybrewster]

Do I need smaller fermenters ?

 

[Shermanati]

Interestingly, my sister bought me Mr. Beer refills for Christmas, though I haven't used Mr. Beer in ages. I was thinking that instead of returning it to Amazon and getting a $20 or so credit, I'd just brew it in one of my Better Bottle 5 gal secondaries. The only issue will be checking the airlock for activity to determine the fermentation point. However, I'm sure these recipes can get bottled after a 10-14 day fermentation. The other option is hit up Beer Solutions and get some extra DME, grains, and hops and blow out a 5 gal batch. Hmmmmm....decisions...that all result in beer....

 

[Shermanati]

Oh...and just to be more explicit, hoppybrewster, you won't necessarily need a smaller fermenter. There is just more airspace in a larger one, so the fermentation will take a little longer to produce activity in the airlock. If you're using a clear bottle, you'll be able to see the fermentation take place though. Just keep it all sanitized and you're good to go.

 

[hoppybrewster]

You cut all the ingredients in half since you are doing half as much beer. The steep and boil still takes the same because you are doing chemical processes, isomerizing the hop oils for bittering and extracting the sugars and color from your steeping grains. The yeast could be cut in half but what will you do with the other half? It won't hurt to have extra yeast in it nearly as badly as having too little.

Would a 2 1/2 gal batch work in a 6 gal carboy? Would all that extra head space mess something up?

 

[Revvy]

Would a 2 1/2 gal batch work in a 6 gal carboy? Would all that extra head space mess something up?

That's too big for my comfort zone...I'm barely comfortable with using a 5 gallon for my 2.5 gallon batches.

 

[jonmohno]

I would get a 3 gallon carboy,or a couple 2 gallon buckets. I have a hard time trying to find a2.5- gallon anything besides the carboys. But i just scale for my recipes for fermenter size.

 

[stargate_to_Earth]

you can easily get a 3 gallon water container (i just got one at kmart) and their perfect for 2.5 galleon batches

 

[eanmcnulty]

I use 3 gallon Better Bottles. I have six of them. They work great. I found them at my LHBS for around $20-$22.

 

[emccarthy25]

You can go toMr Beer LBK for a smaller fermenter. They are going for $10 right now. It is listed as 2 gallons, but you actually put more wort in it when you ferment. guess you lose some to trub while it ferments.