So next time I brew..

[Tubbster85]

So when I brewed the current batch I just bottled tonight, I started with 5GAL. After transferring to secondary and then to my priming tank, I ended up with 4.25GAL. So next time I brew another batch, should I make my initial level 5.50-5.75GAL? Everything went very smooth, bottling was easy but tedious, beer smelled and tasted great.

 

[BobC]

It all depends on how important it is to you to have a even 5 gal. at bottling time. Any increase in volume requires an increase in grains or you end up with watery beer.

 

[Pie_Man]

You can certainly do that. You'll have to adjust your recipe to account for the extract volume.

I'm guessing you may have pulled several samples to check gravity, etc. in addition to the secondary and bottling bucket transers. Three quarters of gallon loss seems a little high if you're just bottling and racking to secondary. This extra loss is one reason why I forego the secondary unless absolutely necessary.

 

[djfriesen]

Is it safe to assume this is an extract batch? If you use more water with the same amount of fermentables, you'll have a different beer. If you want to adjust your fermentables to up your batch size, that's an option, but requires having some extra DME or LME handy. Your best option is to try to minimize losses: don't transfer to secondary, it's not really necessary. Also, you can cold crash to try to get the yeast cake as compact as possible.

 

[Tubbster85]

I took three samples using a turkey baster. And the owner of my lhbs recommended transferring so I took his advice. I drank the samples as well, no need to risk contamination pouring them back in.

 

[Tubbster85]

And yes it was an extract recipe. Nut Brown Ale. I got exactly 24 22oz bottles, and that is all I have, so it worked out just fine. I just used NB priming calculator online for 4.25GAL and it worked out to be 2.91oz of corn sugar.

 

[ChadChaney]

I leave my batches in primary for about a month, give or take a week based on style and yeast, and lose virtually nothing, nice tight yeast cake on the bottom. Do you have an auto-siphon, another cheap must have for the brewhouse!

 

[Tubbster85]

Yeah I do have an auto siphon, and yeah it is a must have!

 

[BuddyWeiser]

tasted great.

This is the key phrase I read.

My fermenter was imported from Australia (Cooper's DIY Brew Kit), so I've got liter markings to gauge my fill level by. I tend to make slightly stronger beers (around 7% abv) even after topping off to 21 liters (approx 5 1/2 gal) prior to pitching my yeast. I have used no secondary yet to date, but I strive to drink my primary down to 19 liters (approx 5 gal) after fermentation and before bottling. I started with using the hydrometer readings as an excuse, but really, I'm just that thirsty.

I say brew 5 1/2 gal+. Why not brew a little extra for yourself? You deserve it!

 

[Tubbster85]

Thanks for all the tips everyone!

 

[bigbeergeek]

I've taken to formulating all my "5 gallon" batches to actually be 5.5 gallons. My IIPA is actually formulated for 6 gallons to account for losses due to pellet hop absorption. ;P)