Calling Extract Brewers....Move to Partial Mash!!

[Tippsy-Turvy]

Just tried my first partial mash and it was outstanding (forgive the boasting)!

It was my second batch of the same Lavender Saison except i substituted some pale 2-row for some DME. The flavor was a sweeter/maltier citrus compared to a sourer citrus in the extract batch (extract twang?). The bitterness was very smooth compared to a sharp bitterness in the extract and the colour was very noticeably lighter.

And to think PM recipes are cheaper and the only extra equipment i needed was a large grain bag!:rockin:

Just follow Deathbrewer's simple steps in his seminal thread below and there will be no going back:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/easy-partial-mash-brewing-pics-75231/

 

[Nummey]

Congrats! After about 5-6 extract brews and coming acorss Death Brewers thread I made my first partial mash brew a month ago and just bottled it up last week. It was a Surly Bender PM kit from Northern Brewer and I'm dying to try one! Will have to wait at least another week to sample.

 

[djfriesen]

I was just looking to brew something with lavender. Do you mind outlining your process and results as far as getting a good lavender presence in the beer?

 

[RM-MN]

Oh oh! You've gotten yourself onto a slippery slope now that you know that your can successfully mash some grain in a large bag. Do you realize what will happen if you use twice as much base malt in that mash bag with the right amount of water? You'll have to reduce the malt extract but it will still be a partial mash, correct?

What will happen if you again double the amount of base malt and reduce the amount of malt extract? Still a partial mash isn't it since you made up part of your fermentables with malt extract? You do realize that at some point your amount of malt extract you need to add will become zero? Then what?

 

[Grinder12000]

I've brewed 110 PMs and have absolutely no ambition to go AG. I just can't see it. I've won competitions doing PM and don't want to spend more the 3 hours brewing.

Not cutting down AG but bang for buck PM is the way to go.

Congrats!!!!!


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[Tippsy-Turvy]

Oh oh! You've gotten yourself onto a slippery slope

I know, i know. But i worry my hair will suddenly grow really long like Deathbrewer's! One step at a time. Everytime i think i've mastered something i discover even more to learn - i only recently learned that water chemistry is really important! Sigh.. Another issue is that my largest pot is 4gals. Anyway, I'm sure it'll be a while before i can perfect my PM.

 

[beergolf]

Moving to partial mash allows you to do recipes that cannot be done with just extract/steeping grains.

Good move.

Great beer can be made with any process if you pay attention to the details. Pitching the proper amount of healthy yeast to a well aerated wort and good fermentation temp control.

 

[unionrdr]

I've been doing pb/pm biab for about a year now. I too like how it's cheaper than extract. Even cheaper when you wash yeast & do starters. I also rehydrate dry yeast. Using Beersmith helps a lot too,as I can experiment to style before even buying the ingredients. This method allows me to use the same 5 gallon (20QRT) SS stock pot I started with. Nylon bags are easier to use & clean than muslin,imo. I like your avatar too,OP. "Why so serious? Let's put a smile on that face!"...great movie quote.

 

[drainbamage]

I just starting experimenting PM last year, and have been pretty satisfied with the results so far. That being said, I've only used it when I wanted to include some specialty malts that could not be effectively steeped. I've still made some excellent extract+steeped grain beers, so I don't see myself completely switching over just yet.

 

[grizzly2378]

Doing my first partial mash in a couple of weeks after 4 five gallon extract brews and a few one gallon extracts. I'm also going to start doing some all grain one gallon brews to play around with new recipes with few consequences (i.e., 5 gallons of crappy beer).


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[unionrdr]

I generally mash 5-6lbs of grains in 2 gallons of water. Sparge with 1.5 gallons to get boil volume of 3.5 gallons in my 5 gallon BK/MT. Using that for the boil & all hop additions. Then add 3lbs of plain DME at flameout,or 3.3lbs of plain LME at the same point to get to OG. Then topping of in the fermenter to 5 or 6 gallons recipe volume,depending on said recipe. So the partial mash gives about 50% of the fermentables,flavors & aromas.

 

[Tippsy-Turvy]

Do you mind outlining your process and results as far as getting a good lavender presence in the beer?

No problem. I used the recipe amount of 1/8oz of lavender for 5 gals. It went into a hop ball for the last 2 mins' boil and, after cooling, i strained the hops out but threw the lavender hop ball into the primary.

The result was just perfect. A very noticeable yet soft floral aroma. Not excessive and definitely a crowd pleaser. I've read that boiling lavender too long can produce strong bitterness and my first batch was definitely more bitter but i'm not sure if that was purely because the boil time was longer (5mins).

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/Wine/Additives_2/Lavender-Flowers.html

 

[strambo]

I made the move to PM early after just a few extract/ steeping grain brews. I realized the difference between "steeping" a little grain in a small bag and "mashing" more grain in a large bag was just a matter of more time and better temp control.

I routinely make AG BIAB half batches also, those are really cheap.


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[GHBWNY]

This is an encouraging thread. Especially since I am a beginner extract brewer. PM seems to be the next logical step for me. Except for books, the internet, my LHBS guy and a lot of trial and error, I am self-taught. So, this thread has been the shot in the arm I've needed. After this present batch of Am. Wheat is bottled, my next batch will definitely be an attempt at PM. "Slippery slope" (hey, not a bad name for a beer!), here I come! Thanks, folks!

 

[Tippsy-Turvy]

Are all you PMers tweeking your water ph? Or is it really just perfectionism by purist brewers? I had a look at the Bru'n Water spreadsheet the other day and i needed another beer!

Unionrdr, yup it's an iconic image but only because of Ledger's performance. Heart-breaking thinking about what more he could have achieved.

 

[unionrdr]

I agree with ya about Heath Ledger. Real shame. I don't tweak water PH yet,as the local artisian spring water is working very well. The yeasties seem to love it & flavors are good. Some do,using RO water or distilled,then adding minerals for the type of beer being brewed. I don't have a good handle on the chemistry yet. I just use good water & the freshed ingredients I can get & store'em properly.