First brew quantity...

[brewsandpucks]

Hey all... I may be the newest of newbies at this moment here. What's the overall opinion from you fine folks about how much you should brew with your first batch? Books and articles I've read vary from 3 gallons, just to get your foot in the door, to just brewing the standard 5 gallons, whereby most of your beginning recipes are catered to. I mean, regardless of how good or awful my first batch turns out, unless it's toxic, I'm gonna push through and drink it... I think? Any thoughts?

 

[Fletcher21]

Process is the same no matter what. Calculations are typically for 5 gallons already so unless it's an equipment issue I recommend 5 gallons. Plus if your beer turns out fantastic you would be kicking yourself for only doing 3 gallons.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[sptaylor70]

I would brew a kit, and most kits make 5-5.5 gallons. Brewer's Best Kits - detailed easy-to-follow instructions. Once I started brewing from recipes, I went to three gallons.

 

[blackonblack]

I recently started beer brewing and started with a 5 gallon all grain setup. My first beer is a few days from bottling. There is so much knowledge in effort in brewing. I'd start with 5 gallons. The marginal effort and cost is minuscule for the extra few gallons yet your yield is almost double. Start with a 5 gallon extract setup unless you love challenge like me and dive right in to all grain

 

[m1k3]

I'd say 5 gallons is the most common volume.

The only reason to do less if can't chill your wort. Even so many people start by topping up with cold water to aid in chilling.

I was always able to get through 48 beers... even when they were not the best.

 

[rhys333]

I'd say go with what you feel comfortable with. My first batch was 2.5 gallons, a simple ginger beer recipe I found on youtube. It taught me a lot about process and gave me the confidence to tackle a 6 gallon partial mash for my second batch. Work with the equipment you have, keep it simple, and have fun.

 

[grathan]

I was still shocked at how quick 5 gallons disappeared. It takes forever to condition, so by the time it's ready you've already sampled half the lot.

 

[Puddlethumper]

It all depends on your equipment. If you have a boil kettle and mash tun than will produce a 5 gallon batch then, IMO, it only makes sense to go that route. If you have to make a bunch of accommodations to produce 5 gallons with your current equipment, then scale it back so things flow more smoothly. My advice is, don't push it and don't stress it. Go with what your equipment will produce comfortably.

 

[unionrdr]

I started with the same 5 gallon SS kettle I use now. I started with Cooper's kit-n-kilo beers. I did all kinds of recipes with those cans until I moved on to pb/pm biab (Partial Boil,Partial Mash Brew In A Bag). I average 53-12oz bottles from a 5 gallon batch of beer. I'd say go ahead & start with the 5 gallon kit/system & use the knowledge on here vs the instructions to get a good first batch. There is some basic science involved,but nothing like building a Saturn 5 engine. Pick something easy,don't stress & learn from every brew.