Smallest batch?

[Cojones893]

Hello all. I am starting on my first batch of beer tonight. I got a Mr. Beer kit for Christmas. As much as I like the idea of Mr. Beer I really want to get down and dirty with beer making. So my question is what is the smallest test batch you can make? Instead of making several gallons at once can I divide the recipe to test 2 bottles worth at a time? So I could possibly make several different variations of the same recipe.

 

[Revvy]

Smallest I've ever done was a gallon like on Basic brewing (the six pack brewing episodes.) But I do a lot of all grain test batches in 2.5 gallons (1 case.)

I ind it's easier to just brew a 2.5 gallon test batches and if I like the beer I double it for a 5 gallon recipe.

AND 2.5 gallons is 1 full case of beer.

I do a ton of 2.5 gallon AG brews in my loft, usually when the weather turns cold and I don't want to brew outside.

I do a lot of Experiments, test recipes, or beers that I know I won't need/want more than a case of.

I sometimes use an unmodified 2 gallon cooler for a lot of my small btaches it holds up to 4 pounds of grain.

I just us a folding steamer in the bottom along with a grain bag. Just break off or unscrew the center post.

One of these, it helps to lift the grain bag above the spigot to keep the drainig from getting stuck.

I posted a lot of info in the mr beer thread that you may find helpful.

I posted some all grain small batchrecipes here, https://www.homebrewtalk.com/785533-post702.html

ANd a bit of a primer on AG with pics here https://www.homebrewtalk.com/738927-post659.html

But I mostly use my regular 5 gallon cooler mash tun which holds 14 pounds of grains...and 14 pounds of grain for a 2.5 gallon batch can be a mighty big beer.....


One of our memebers chubbykid had plans for a minikeg mashtun http://www.chubbykidhomebrew.com/Home/equipment

THe basic brewing radio guys are big fans of tiny batch brewing...3/4 gallon (1 6pack) in a 1 gallon winejug fermenter.

They demo the 6-pack IPA here

[ame]http://en.sevenload.com/shows/Basic-Brewing/episodes/PERGFAJ-01-12-06-Basic-Brewing-Video-A-Six-Pack-of-IPA[/ame]

and they also have done barleywines as well.

I ferment my 2.5 gallon batches in all manner of things, I have a 3 gallon better bottle, I also use 3 gallon water jugs, AND my old Mr Beer keg (it's perfect because you can even lager in your own fridge with it when you are starting out.)

You can even ferment a 2.5 gallon batch in a 5 gallon carboy if you want, though I would say a 6.5 gallon carboy is a little too much headspace for my confort.

Hope this helps....any more questions feel free to ask...

 

[hoppymonkey]

I have good luck with 1 gallon batches for testing waters. I even do it AG.

 

[Challenger440]

1 Gallon would be a good size. The only thing I would like to point out is to find out what kinds of yeast you LHBS sells. In my case I have 2 LHBSs and they both only sell White Labs liquid yeast. This means that I have to spend $7.99 for yeast each time I brew unless I wash it (which I do now).

If your LHBS sells dry yeast then its not so much of an issue ($1.50 a pop or so for Notty), but if your LHBS doesn't then maybe try to order several packages of dry yeast from an online place (remember shipping is going to be $7.99 per order) or learn to wash yeast.

 

[stageseven]

There's also the issue of hop purchases. Unless you have leftovers already from something else or buy in bulk from somewhere, you can't get hops in quantities less than an ounce. Even online you're probably going to be spending $2-3 per ounce (more like $4.99 at my LHBS...). Granted you won't use all of it, but if you don't like the results you'll end up changing the recipe and might have to buy other varieties, and if you do, you probably won't have enough left over to make a full 5 gallon batch.

 

[andy777]

1 gallon is the most convenient size, IMO. I do remember a fellow over on the green board who brewed a 12 ounce batch once. Just to say he brewed one bottle of beer.