AHS partial mash kits

[FerroPlasm]

For my second beer, I'd really like to do a partial mash. I'm particularly looking at AHS's partial mash kits. I've only done an extract thus far and have only a 4 gallon pot for my boil. I'm wondering what is the minimum of equipment required for a partial mash and what is the grain to water ratio required for the partial mash?

Also, do the AHS partial mash kits come with instructions tailored to a partial mash? I'd like to start getting into more advanced brewing and save some money in the process.

 

[ghoti]

I have done two partial mash kits from AHS and have loved them. Their instructions are very through and will walk you through step by step. For the mash you use 2 gallons of water, and then for the boil you add another gallon. Basically the only thing you need is just a pot to boil they will provide you with everything else. I would recommend a hop bag as the hops are all pellets and it will make it easier to get into the primary. A four gallon pot might be cutting it a bit close though, I would recommend at least a five gallon pot for the boil.

 

[lumpher]

that's how i go into partial mash back when. they'll walk you through it. i'd advise buying a mesh bag for around $3. you can pour the wort into the fermenter with the bag in place, and not have sludge in the fermenter

 

[Grinder12000]

All their instructions are pretty simple and made for what you order. All partial mash instructions are for boiling 2 or 3 gallons and then putting in the rest of the water in the carboy.

Never used a hop bag and Really I just pour everything into the carboy - sludge and all - I've tried to siphon but bang for buck the mess when things get cloggy is not worth the bother.

And BTW - TY for being a premium supporter.

 

[FerroPlasm]

I think I'm going to go ahead and try it then. It seems simple enough and I watch my kettle closely enough that I should be able to get away with my 4 gal pot. Though, SWMBO thinks we should "slow down and try a couple more extract kits." You think if I tell her they're all specialty grains like the first batch she'll believe me??

Grinder, I decided to become a supporter after just a few days of reading threads. It's been a great investment.

 

[DirtyPolock]

I did do a partial batch from AHS and it turned out awesome. The usualy grain to water ratio is somewhere around 1.2-1.3 quarts/lbs of grain. It may say this in the instruction kit, but I'm not sure.

The only additional thing that you may need is a small-ish pot to be able to "sparge" with. For the sparge just heat it up to 170 degrees and then dunk the grains in the sparge pot a few times and then let it sit in there for about 5 minutes. Then you just pick up the grain mesh bag and let the water drain. Then you just combine the two pots together and proceed just as a normal extract batch. This will help you to get out some more sugars from the grains.

If you haven't read it yet I believe that Deathbrewer does a great pictoral of stovetop parital mash and all grain brewing. Between that and the sheet that AHS sends you, you should be all set.

 

[FerroPlasm]

I did see Deathbrewers thread. He did an excellent job. I just couldn't find some specifics e.g., water to grain ratio. Is there any benefit in adding some amylase extract to the mini-mash water to guarantee starch conversion?

 

[DirtyPolock]

I never used amylase extract, so I can't really comment on its use. I think that the biggest problem with the stovetop partial mash is just the washing of the grains to get all the sugars out and not necessarily conversion.

I did two parital mashes and one was right on target with the expected OG, the second was low. My guess is that it didn't have to do with conversion, just the sparging technique needed for this type of brewing.

 

[soopagloo]

I've brewed 5 partial mash kits from ahs so far. Nailed og on 1,2, and 5. 3 and 4 were a bit low. Fg was dead on for all so the low ones may have been operator error. The instructions are clear and after a couple you'll be piecing together an all grain setup like me.

 

[Yooper]

I did see Deathbrewers thread. He did an excellent job. I just couldn't find some specifics e.g., water to grain ratio. Is there any benefit in adding some amylase extract to the mini-mash water to guarantee starch conversion?

NO! You will get conversion from the grain. Adding amylase to it isn't needed.

 

[glenn514]

I haven't done a partial mash from AHS, but I have done them from Midwest and Northern. Pretty straightforward. The most recent one I did with two pots. I did the mash in the smaller one, and while water was heating up in the larger one, I poured in the LME. By the time I had the LME all mixed well, I pulled my nylon paint strainer bag with all the grains from the smaller pot, plopped it in my large strainer placed over the larger pot, and slowly poured the liquid over the grains. Then, boiled as normal. Worked out quite well.

glenn514

 

[bhop2112]

FWIW, my first batch is currently in the fermenter and it was a PM kit from AHS. Their instructions are great, but I went ahead and followed DeathBrewer's method from his PM thread. Either way will work fine, but I think I ended up using more sparge water with DeathBrewer's method than the AHS kit called for, so if kettle size is a concern, just keep that in mind.

Also, I happen to live in Austin, so I have the privilege of dealing in person with the AHS crew, but they do also have excellent phone support. I had a problem and called them and they walked me through it.

Good luck!

 

[MisterGreen]

I've done a few mini-mash kits from AHS and they're great. I use the BIAB technique and have had great results. I have a heavy 5-gallon pot that I use for mashing and an 8 gallon pot for the boil. Regarding the sparging issue, I heat my sparge water in the boil kettle while the grains are mashing, then remove the whole bag from the mash pot once the mash is complete and place it in the boil kettle for the rinse. Then remove the bag, add the extract and boil. Easy peazy.

 

[Wyrmwood]

who/what is AHS?

 

[glenn514]

^^^That would be Austin Home Brew [as in Austin, Texas].

glenn514

 

[Wyrmwood]

^^^That would be Austin Home Brew [as in Austin, Texas].

glenn514

Wouldn't that be AHB? Will have to check them out. I usually use LHBS or Midwest.

 

[dos_perros]

I think the S is silent.

Seriously though I just ordered from AHS for the first time and it was shipped fast and packaged very well. They even threw in a pad of brew notes! Awesome store, great website and from what I hear and have seen great customer service.

 

[ghoti]

AHS = Austin Homebrew Supply

 

[ultravista]

I am interested in their DFH Indian Brown Ale - who has tried it, either extract or partial?

 

[petey_c]

I've made 5 AHS partials so far. All but one have turned out great, but then again I just bottled it Tuesday. I won't know about that one until about 2/18. The last one I had was Greenbelt Pale Ale. You should be fine with the 4 gallon pot. Mash, sparge, boil, cool and additional water into the primary for 5 gallons.

 

[glenn514]

Fish...thanks for the correction. Of course, it is Austin Homebrew Supply! Doh.

glenn514