My first BIAB was a success!

[MaxStout]

I did a mini-SMaSH BIAB in late April. My first BIAB--first AG--for that matter.

Used 6 lbs Maris Otter (first time using my MM-2), crushed at 0.040". Mashed in a 5 gal kettle at 154F, 60 min sacc rest, then propped up the bag on a colander and did a pour-over sparge and a good squeeze afterwards. Hopped with 1 oz. Cascade at 60 min, another oz. at flameout. Added 1/2 tsp Irish moss and 1/2 tsp. Wyeast nutrient near the end of the boil.

Yielded 2.9 gal at 1.064 OG, so about 80% eff. if my calcs are right. Chilled and pitched US-05, and in primary for 4 weeks in my crawlspace at about 63F. Bottled and carbed to 2.8 vols., and conditioned at 70F for just over 3 weeks.

I must say this noob was quite pleased with the outcome. Color is amber, with just a bit of chill haze. Smells great--the malt and hop aromas are very balanced. Nice, chewy malt flavor with just the right hop kick. It's a decent pale ale.

I will do another with MO, but maybe try E. Kent Goldings. And now that I bought a perf basket and bigger bag, it'll be a full batch. I think I could become addicted to BIAB.

Thanks for setting up the BIAB category, BTW.

 

[JohnSand]

Too cool! My first AG BIAB is in the fermenter now. Also a MO/Cascade SMaSH, US-05. I didn't use enough water and underestimated my efficiency. It will be strong. (I might add water) I plan another too, different hops, maybe as soon as tomorrow.

 

[Malty_Dog]

Nice! I've been doing mainly 3 gal AG batches and my efficiency seems to be erratic, but then I did everything from no-sparge to dunk sparge, to pour-over sparge. Using my LHBS' mill, which actually does a pretty nice job.

Your pale ale sounds great, I also am a big fan of MO and cascade. What size pot do you have (thinking of what you said about full batches)?

 

[MaxStout]

What size pot do you have (thinking of what you said about full batches)?

I have a 10 gallon ss kettle with thermometer and spigot I added. I bought the 44 qt. basket as an afterthought. It's 2.5" narrower and a couple inches taller than the kettle (there is no matching basket for my kettle), but the basket will clear the 2" bulkhead thermometer probe and it will hold a lot of grain. Should work fine for 5 gal. batches. The 24" x 24" bags from MoreBeer fit the basket perfectly.

The taller basket creates a minor issue--during sacc rest the lid will be sitting on top of the basket, above the kettle. I'll have to wrap that gap with a length of foil before I wrap the whole kettle with a blanket to minimize heat loss.

I will use a pulley and rope to hoist the basket out after mashing. Haven't used that system yet, but will next brew day in a couple weeks.

 

[Malty_Dog]

Very good, thanks for the info. Have a 7.5 gal pot and not sure about full batches in there.

 

[MaxStout]

Very good, thanks for the info. Have a 7.5 gal pot and not sure about full batches in there.

There are some good calculators online that should help you determine how much volume you need for a certain size batch. Try the "Can I mash it?" calc on this one.

 

[JohnSand]

I'm doing smaller batches (2.5 gallon) with a 20 qt pressure cooker and 5 gallon paint strainers. One is boiling now.