Why no sparge with a session ale?

[aeviaanah]

I was reading through info about brewing and formulating a session ale. I came across this http://www.experimentalbrew.com/content/session-beer-day-recipe-bonanza-14-recipes-you-brew.

In it, Michael Tonsmiere mentions no sparging for an increase in body. What explains this?? Any science here?

 

[Gnomebrewer]

It's not that it increases body in a measurable way, but it increases the quality of the maltiness (from what I've read; I've never tried it myself). Gordon Strong talks about it a bit as a good method for getting a better quality beer when you want to push the malt flavour as the first runnings give better quality wort than sparging.

 

[oljimmy]

It's not that it increases body in a measurable way, but it increases the quality of the maltiness (from what I've read; I've never tried it myself). Gordon Strong talks about it a bit as a good method for getting a better quality beer when you want to push the malt flavour as the first runnings give better quality wort than sparging.

Interesting. I've been wondering about this as well: what is it that makes sparged wort lower quality? Other than just having less sugars? Is it the pH?

 

[Gnomebrewer]

Interesting. I've been wondering about this as well: what is it that makes sparged wort lower quality? Other than just having less sugars? Is it the pH?

I'd guess that it's to do with other compounds that are rinsed out of the grain along with the sugars. In Brewing Better Beers Gordon Strong says that it "yields a richer, more intense, higher-quality malt flavour with the least harshness of any [lautering] technique". I'm wondering from that if it's the reduction in harshness from other chemicals being extracted that leads to the improved malt flavour. It's just a guess though.

 

[mattdee1]

I've never tried it, but it makes total sense in my mind.

I figure, if I use the same teabag to make 2 cups of tea, the first one will be tons better than the second one.

 

[aeviaanah]

I'm interested in learning more about this with a scientific approach. Thanks for the info guys