Beersmith Hop Utilization factor question

[graybabe]

So beersmith says to use 100% for hop utilization factor for all batches less than 20 gallons but Palmer says that "the utilization for alpha acids in homebrewing is generally accepted as topping out at about 30%". Any ideas on which one is right? Am I looking at two different things? Any help would be much appreciated.

Here is the link for Palmer's thought's -

http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter5-4.html

 

[m1k3]

I've always taken the setting in BeerSmith to mean that with my system I expect to get 100% of the expected amount.

If for some reason you were doing really concentrated boils your system may not get 100% of the expected amount.

I am sure Palmer's facts are straight... but that's not the same 30%.
He is saying that only 30% of the AA content gets into the beer.

 

[graybabe]

That makes sense. I figured they meant two different things. Thanks for your help.

 

[BeerSmith]

Hi,
Yes the "equipment hop utilization factor" is actually an adjustment for large brewers (primarily pro and microbreweries) who get much higher utilization than we do for an average homebrew setup.

It is different from overall hop alpha utilization which is calculated internally using the Tinseth, Rager or Garetz hop formulas depending on your settings.

Brad