What BIAB brewing actually is (Mythbusting for traditionalists)

[sibelman]

For many of the older members of our hobby, not necessary age "old", but people brewing for 2 decades or more, tend to have a harder time understanding the process (or accepting its viability). The irony of it all is that it's really the only method I could see myself carrying into my later years.

Maybe I'm one of the folks Bobby is too kind to call a curmudgeon, as I'm both "age old" and "homebrewing old." But I now accept the BIAB narrative. Also, even though I've spent quite a bit on stainless vessels, I try to embrace the wisdom of the sunk-cost fallacy.

If I were buying equipment today, I'd surely (and non-ironically) go with @Bobby_M's eBIAB package. One day, I might abandon my 3V system in favor of BIAB for the reduced space use, lifting and cleaning. I'd only need to modify my kettle a bit and buy a Wilser bag, a steam condenser of some kind, and a hoist. EDIT: and a false bottom for the kettle.

Ironically, for a while in the early 90s I did my own primitive BIAB (before that term was coined, as far as I know). But it wasn't ideal: I used an Oster blender as my malt "mill" back then, so lautering was a nightmare.

 

[bwible]

For the most part, I think we've turned the corner. For many of the older members of our hobby, not necessary age "old", but people brewing for 2 decades or more, tend to have a harder time understanding the process (or accepting its viability). The irony of it all is that it's really the only method I could see myself carrying into my later years.

The electric all in ones maybe helped turn that corner too. Essentially the exact same thing.

 

[brewmanStan]

I mostly brew 3 gallon batches. I’m interested in how you do 4 gallons. What do you ferment in? I’m guessing you don’t use a secondary since nobody makes a 4 gallon anything. Do you bottle all your beer? Or put 4 gallons in a 5 gallon keg?

I’m always curious to learn how others do things.

Thanks!

Yeah, hey bwible. I use 5 gallon Big Mouth plastic fermenters I purchased from Northern Brewer. They are light, easy to clean, and work well for me. I don't do secondary. All my beers are bottled, 12,16,22 and32 oz bottles depending how I want a particular batch. My first thirty to forty bathes were mostly 3 gallon using glass fermenters but started making 4 gallons a few years back just to make more of brew days.
I use a 8 gallon Tall Boy kettle initially filled with 6.3 gallons of water which of coarse dwindles down to 4 gallons by the time it's transferred to the fermenter at the end of the process.

 

[bwible]

Yeah, hey bwible. I use 5 gallon Big Mouth plastic fermenters I purchased from Northern Brewer. They are light, easy to clean, and work well for me. I don't do secondary. All my beers are bottled, 12,16,22 and32 oz bottles depending how I want a particular batch. My first thirty to forty bathes were mostly 3 gallon using glass fermenters but started making 4 gallons a few years back just to make more of brew days.
I use a 8 gallon Tall Boy kettle initially filled with 6.3 gallons of water which of coarse dwindles down to 4 gallons by the time it's transferred to the fermenter at the end of the process.

That makes sense. If you ever want to go to kegs, you can go back to 3 gallon batches and use 3 gallon kegs. I’m actually doing the opposite. I started doing 5 gallon batches and it was just too much beer. 1 batch = 2 cases, 3 batches = 6 cases, 5 batches = 10 cases. I was floating in beer. I don’t buy 2 cases of the same beer, why do I want to brew 2 cases of the same beer? So I went to doing 3 gallons. Works out to 30 bottles if I bottle. And sometimes I do, especially strong beers. I have 3 gallon kegs.

I’ve been working on an even smaller all grain set up, trying to get to where I can brew a 12 pack at a time. For some beers, thats plenty for me. I also have 1.5 gallon kegs or I would just bottle the 12.

I just brewed 5 gallons of Octoberfest for an event and to fill the 5 gallon keg I had to brew twice because I’ve gone smaller. I like it though. Its working, I have a more reasonable stockpile now.

 

[brewmanStan]

That makes sense. If you ever want to go to kegs, you can go back to 3 gallon batches and use 3 gallon kegs. I’m actually doing the opposite. I started doing 5 gallon batches and it was just too much beer. 1 batch = 2 cases, 3 batches = 6 cases, 5 batches = 10 cases. I was floating in beer. I don’t buy 2 cases of the same beer, why do I want to brew 2 cases of the same beer? So I went to doing 3 gallons. Works out to 30 bottles if I bottle. And sometimes I do, especially strong beers. I have 3 gallon kegs.

I’ve been working on an even smaller all grain set up, trying to get to where I can brew a 12 pack at a time. For some beers, thats plenty for me. I also have 1.5 gallon kegs or I would just bottle the 12.

I just brewed 5 gallons of Octoberfest for an event and to fill the 5 gallon keg I had to brew twice because I’ve gone smaller. I like it though. Its working, I have a more reasonable stockpile now.

I'm seriously considering going back to making 3 gallon batches, mainly because 3 gallons is easier to carry downstairs where the temp is just right for ale fermentation. I'm 73, and every time I head downstairs with a 4 gallon batch I cuss myself. Not to mention, after a couple weeks I have to lug it back up the stairs to bottle it. Overall, it's worth it. Just glad I can do it.

 

[Halfakneecap]

That makes sense. If you ever want to go to kegs, you can go back to 3 gallon batches and use 3 gallon kegs. I’m actually doing the opposite. I started doing 5 gallon batches and it was just too much beer. 1 batch = 2 cases, 3 batches = 6 cases, 5 batches = 10 cases. I was floating in beer. I don’t buy 2 cases of the same beer, why do I want to brew 2 cases of the same beer? So I went to doing 3 gallons. Works out to 30 bottles if I bottle. And sometimes I do, especially strong beers. I have 3 gallon kegs.

I’ve been working on an even smaller all grain set up, trying to get to where I can brew a 12 pack at a time. For some beers, thats plenty for me. I also have 1.5 gallon kegs or I would just bottle the 12.

I just brewed 5 gallons of Octoberfest for an event and to fill the 5 gallon keg I had to brew twice because I’ve gone smaller. I like it though. Its working, I have a more reasonable stockpile now.

I'm sold on smaller kegs. I use 9.5L ( 3gal? ) rather than 19L kegs. They fit in the fridge better and i can also keg half and bottle half. Not that i like bottling, but it gives me options.

I have a tiny 2L keg. I plan on using that for UK ales, if i ever get a beer engine. That way i can drink it without worrying about having to drink it all quickly.

 

[Halfakneecap]

Well, I never intended to get involved with this, but I guess maybe it's time. I've never used any other method than all-grain BIAB, and I've always used my own recipes except for the initial wheat ale kit I bought to get my feet wet, and all in my kitchen, on an electric range top. Back when I started, BIAB brewers were still getting hammered pretty bad about the way we brewed. Personally, after well over 100 successful batches of beer in as many tries, I don't care what anybody thinks about my method, and when I say my method, it's because I've adjusted into a comfort zone over time that's not exactly like the book. Works for me, and best of all, my friends and family love the beer I make, and constantly tell me it's better than anything they can buy at the store. I don't let all that go to my head. It simply tells me I'm doing it right. I mostly brew 4 gallon batches but I have occasionally brewed one and three gallon batches. BIAB is the easiest and least expensive way to get into all grain brewing. I wouldn't know how to do it any other way, and I wouldn't even know how to use a malt extract.

When BIAB came about here, a lot of people were into huge, complicated 3V, usually on a big fabricated stand.

I think a lot of the looking down on BIAB came because it was so simple, and took up no room. People had invested in pumps/trolley/temp probes, raspberry Pi etc

I clearly remember the club brewday where i was sold on BIAB. The host brewer was trying to trouble shoot a temp probe issue on his massive trolley mounted 3v, complete with pumps, controller and all the associated hardware, while one of the other guys had a big azz propane burner, a big pot, a bag, and a handheld thermometer. All he had to do was check the temp every 10 mins, otherwise he got to enjoy a relaxed get together and make beer. The host was stuffing around and swearing and had to baby his rig the whole time.

I bought a bag that week and got rid of my HLT etc. Mashing boiling cooling is mashing boiling cooling no matter how you do it

 

[JohnDBrewer]

I'm a 3v, propane brewer. Not a portable system, so when I take it on the road, like the club big brew days and such, I do BIAB. A couple of weeks ago one of my clubs did a brew day and there were about 6 of us brewing. Half brought their AIO systems. It struck me that the AIO's are at least 2v systems, and in some cases 3v systems for guys who also heated water on the side. One system had multiple plates in it, not just a simple pipe. I guess my point is my 3v system didn't seem any more complicated or less hard to clean and such. As the only BIAB guy there, I finished an hour faster then everyone else.

 

[brewmanStan]

When BIAB came about here, a lot of people were into huge, complicated 3V, usually on a big fabricated stand.

I think a lot of the looking down on BIAB came because it was so simple, and took up no room. People had invested in pumps/trolley/temp probes, raspberry Pi etc

I clearly remember the club brewday where i was sold on BIAB. The host brewer was trying to trouble shoot a temp probe issue on his massive trolley mounted 3v, complete with pumps, controller and all the associated hardware, while one of the other guys had a big azz propane burner, a big pot, a bag, and a handheld thermometer. All he had to do was check the temp every 10 mins, otherwise he got to enjoy a relaxed get together and make beer. The host was stuffing around and swearing and had to baby his rig the whole time.

I bought a bag that week and got rid of my HLT etc. Mashing boiling cooling is mashing boiling cooling no matter how you do it

Yeah Halfakneecap, I've never used anything but an old fashion hand held thermometer myself. Everything I do is about as basic as you can get with good results. I prefer it that way and I kinda enjoy it. No need in investing any more. If it aint broke don't fix it.

 

[Halfakneecap]

Yeah Halfakneecap, I've never used anything but an old fashion hand held thermometer myself. Everything I do is about as basic as you can get with good results. I prefer it that way and I kinda enjoy it. No need in investing any more. If it aint broke don't fix it.

I totally understand some people love tinkering and building their system. I get that. Me, i work in maintenance, so i, like you, keep things as simple as possible for that reason, less maintenance. It's why i also only own japanese cars as well.

 

[Yooper]

For the most part, I think we've turned the corner. For many of the older members of our hobby, not necessary age "old", but people brewing for 2 decades or more, tend to have a harder time understanding the process (or accepting its viability). The irony of it all is that it's really the only method I could see myself carrying into my later years.

I think @Bobby_M is talking about me…….I started with a pot and a cooler, then went to a gas burner and a keggle, then onto a half barrel 3 vessel all electric HERMS.
I got older, and gradually went to BIAB and my cooler along with the HLT and electric brew kettle. Then, I went to a small footprint all in one. I now exclusively BIAB in that old 10 gallon cooler, and use the AIO just to heat water and boil……

The beer is actually the same, except step mashing is nearly impossible (and why on earth did I even bother with that?!?!?)

I do no sparge full volume BIAB and using the cooler for the MLT means lightweight easy clean up. I just wish it didn’t take me 20 years to get smarter!

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

From an article in mid-July 2025 (link) at a AU-based site written by a well known USA-based home brewer:

I [the Author, not me] used to brew on a three-tier 10-gallon system that was highly efficient, but a real chore to clean at the end of an eight-hour brew day. I added pumps to automate some of the work, but after 10 years, I moved to a five-gallon system that only used two vessels and that saved me some time in cleaning up. A decade later and I moved to a 2.5 gallon or 10 litre all-in-one [...]

So many of the techniques and practices that we have learned are based on large scale brewing economics that we lose sight of the actual goal – making a great wort that will ferment into a great beer. [...]

There's more in the article and at the site.

 

[InspectorJon]

I just wish it didn’t take me 20 years to get smarter!

Ooh La La …

 

[madscientist451]

I know exclusively BIAB in that old 10 gallon cooler, and use the AIO just to heat water and boil……

The beer is actually the same, except step mashing is nearly impossible (and why on earth did I even bother with that?!?!?)

I started with BIAB in a Cooler, then did fly sparge BIAB, got a keggle, hardly used it, now I downsized to 3 gallon in electric AIO, with a dunk sparge in side pot. The cooler gets used for bigger batches or high gravity brews. I do step mashes occasionally using the “rest calculator” on the Green Bay Rackers website.
https://www.rackers.org/calcs2/

 

[brewmanStan]

I think @Bobby_M is talking about me…….I started with a pot and a cooler, then went to a gas burner and a keggle, then onto a half barrel 3 vessel all electric HERMS.
I got older, and gradually went to BIAB and my cooler along with the HLT and electric brew kettle. Then, I went to a small footprint all in one. I know exclusively BIAB in that old 10 gallon cooler, and use the AIO just to heat water and boil……

The beer is actually the same, except step mashing is nearly impossible (and why on earth did I even bother with that?!?!?)

I do no sparge full volume BIAB and using the cooler for the MLT means lightweight easy clean up. I just wish it didn’t take me 20 years to get smarter!

I suppose I can consider myself lucky Yooper. When I got interested in brewing beer a few years before I retired in 2018, I did a lot of research, and that's when I discovered that one of the brew supply places had a one gallon starter kit that just happened to be BIAB. I thought to myself "This sure looks a lot easier and less expensive than all that other stuff", so I bought it, and simply made one gallon batches for a while. When I retired I decided I wanted to make larger batches, so I bought a larger 8 gallon kettle, larger brew bag and wort coolers, etc. and started making 3 gallon batches, and later 4 gallons. I'm glad I didn't listen to everybody trying to tell me my beer would never be any good if I did BIAB.

 

[Halfakneecap]

I don't remember anyone being outright negative about BIAB here when it came around, just that i think a lot of people looked at big systems and scratched their head at the thought you could do it so simply.

 

[Bobby_M]

I don't remember anyone being outright negative about BIAB here when it came around, just that i think a lot of people looked at big systems and scratched their head at the thought you could do it so simply.

It was a bit more hostile than you remember, but I'm also talking about out in the wild, clubs, in my shop, etc...

 

[Halfakneecap]

It was a bit more hostile than you remember, but I'm also talking about out in the wild, clubs, in my shop, etc...

By "here", i meant here in Aus, not here on HBT. Lots of our brew club at the time ditched the big systems for BIAB once they saw it.

 

[wsmith1625]

I don't remember anyone being outright negative about BIAB here when it came around, just that i think a lot of people looked at big systems and scratched their head at the thought you could do it so simply.

I can't recall specific threads, but I do remember the overall sentiment from many 3 vessel brewers was that BIAB made inferior beer.

Those views led to some intense threads. I loved it when the big guns showed up from each side. They were fun and full of great information.

 

[Dgallo]

Dehusking barley at the commercial level is a fairly common operation.

I have personally brewed at 5 commercial breweries and have probably visited or toured on brew days at 10 other, never once have I seen anyone dehusk barley.

Are you speaking of major Macros breweries? Like AHB? If so than thats by no means a fairly common operation..

 

[Willy]

My evolution :
Late 1990's - 2009 - stovetop with extract and hop sacks. All indoors. Small, single case size batches. Using bottles. Just ale yeast. Indoor ferment.

2017 - 2021 propane in an outdoor big pot. Mixed batches of a short 30-40 crushed grains in a sack (not BIAB yet) and extracts.

2022 - 2025 propane, 8 g pot and all grain BIAB. A 5 g batch was tight and soon went to 10g.
After a year or so, I moved on to a Brewzilla 35L with extension kit, about 12 gal (220v, 2200w heater, small 6w pump) I use BIAB inside their mash pipe with no top or bottom plate. This allowed me to do 10 gal + batches but I needed to do dunk sparging (taking the bag out and putting it a new big pot, adding some hot water, squeezing, repeat and repeat... So I could extract as much wort as possible. At this point the batch is purposely "too strong" because you need to add more water to reach the batch size.

Next - Brewzilla 100L (6600w heater, 220v, big 25w pump) and had @Bobby_M put in a whirlpool port at the bottom. I use a massive bag (31"*31") now and certainly need the ability to hoist. I have a pulley system which makes even easier. I can now do 10+ gal batches without the need to add any water at all. This makes it so much easier. I didn't need the extra pot to squeeze/dunk the bag... And then return to the AIO. And repeat. (2-4 times) And then add water.

There is a BIG difference between
a 3v system and a single AIO BIAG.

3v - you remove the wort to a new vessel and leave the mash behind.
BIAB - you remove the mash (bag) and leave the wort behind in the vessel.
And... That isn't much of a difference.

Good luck on your beer journey.