Wilserbrewerbags vs The Brew Bag

[TANSTAAFB]

Had to chime in here. I used brew bags for years and I really like the product. However, I burnt a brand new bag because I forgot it was in my new kettle basket suspended several feet over my new kab burner...dumba$s me! I contacted Rex to request a quote on a custom bag that would accommodate the basket in my new 20 gallon setup and got an incredibly condescending response. I waited a couple of days to cool down and think about how to frame my response and tell him how pissed I was. To be fair he asked me to call him, we had a decent conversation and cleared things up, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to give him any more of my money.
Fast forward and I have been hanging out on HBT more again and just keep seeing great reviews about Wilser's bags so I emailed him this morning about a custom order. I received an almost immediate response (on a Sunday!), a great quote, and a friendly exchange. Mike, consider my order placed! Going to measure my kettles right now!

 

[soccerdad]

I did a lot of research about BIAB before I ever tried it as my foray into all grain brewing. So I came across the Brew Bag and bookmarked it, but started with a generic bag from More Beer. As I defined my particular stove top process, my research tended to settle here at HBT where I found that many people used and really highly rated the Wilserbrewer bag. In addition, I found that Mike Wilser himself was an active participant in the BIAB discussions here and offered good advice and counsel. I find his product to be excellent, his customer service to be spot on and his brewing knowledge to be a huge plus. I think we have 5 bags ... one for each of three different sized kettles and 2 that we use for cold brewing coffee in a little mobile coffee house that we run. I have no basis for comparing - never had a Brew Bag. But I know that the Wilser bag is top notch.

 

[Ericsson]

My experience with the Brew Bag has not been the greatest. I have used 3 separate bags. 1 developed small holes from light use (no snags). The second one completely split at the seams when I was squeezing, this being its first use as well. The third has only been used once, but I am not all that optimistic it will hold up given my experience.

I went ahead and ordered a Wilser bag as back up. Few seams in the bag compared to the Brew Bag. This will likely reduce any splitting. I haven't used it, but when I compared side by side, I think this one will hold up longer.

My experience with both Wilser and the Brew Bag guys has been completely positive.

I'll report back should there be any additional updates worth mentioning.

Cheers,

 

[greyghost]

I have used both bags and Wilser's bag is way better than Brew Bag. One of things I really like is the tapered bottom. If you are using a kegel the hole in the top is smaller than the dia of the kettle.With a bag dose have not that taper when you pull the bag and squeeze the bag it runs down the out side of the kettle making a big mess. The straps on brew bag just get in the way.

 

[Murphys_Law]

Get a Wilser and don't look back. Good product and excellent customer service.

 

[TheMerkle]

+1 for Wilser
+1 for no experience with Brew Bag

Seriously, Wilser's product is impressive, his service is impeccable, and his prices are frankly too low. The only reason I've ever had to replace a big is for a kettle upgrade.

 

[pshankstar]

+1 for Wilser

+1 for no experience with Brew Bag



Seriously, Wilser's product is impressive, his service is impeccable, and his prices are frankly too low. The only reason I've ever had to replace a big is for a kettle upgrade.

I second this statement! I have no experience with the Brew Bag but I've been impressed with my Wilser bag and ordered a new one for my new kettle.

Both his product and service at A+ and I would highly recommend it!!!

 

[TANSTAAFB]

Finally got a chance to give my new Wilserbrew bags a test drive and I absolutely LOVE them! Brewed a Helles today and there was almost zero crap in the kettle to mess with the plate chiller or make it to the fermenter. Nice, leisurely, uneventful brew day!

 

[k1ngl1ves]

I own a Brew Bag that fits in my 10g cooler. Never had an issue, even when stirring the hell out of my mash. Still looks about new after over 20 batches. I bought it because he is local to me. I'll pick up a Wilserbrew next time, if the deal is right, and give it a go. The drawstring could be better than bungee cords. Lol!

 

[BeerAddikt]

I was fortunate enough to be "gifted" a bag by Wilser himself so maybe I'm biased, but I've used the bag on my last two batches and frankly I'm not interested in any other product. It's incredibly well sewed, fits my kettle like a glass slipper and because the mesh is so fine it's easy to clean as well.

Pick up a wilserbag and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

 

[CascadeOK]

I bought a wilser bag and it works great! My false bottom broke which dropped the bag on top of my heating element and it burned a few small holes in my bag. Wilser let me send it back and fixed it, even though not his fault, and let me order a backup at a discount. Huge +1 for him. Great product, great customer service, very responsive and quick turn arounds. You won't be sorry ordering from him.

p.s. I got the grand slam which had the custom sized kettle bag, hop bag, hop sock, and pulley. My brew day with the bag with holes dumped a lot of grain into my pot (pump was recirculating). I used the hop bag on the pump return as a filter. The voile material is a tight weave and does a good job of keeping a lot of the particulate material out of the brew. Now I have my repaired and new bag I wont need to do that, but I've also put vanilla beans and cocoa nibs in a hop sock and put directly in keg. Since they filter well I'm also going to try making cold brew coffee as my wifes method of straining seems like more work and messy.

 

[wilserbrewer]

I was fortunate enough to "win" a bag from Wilser during the Superbowl contest promotion, so maybe I'm biased, but I've used the bag on my last two batches and frankly I'm not interested in any other product. It's incredibly well sewed, fits my kettle like a glass slipper and because the mesh is so fine it's easy to clean as well.

Pick up a wilserbag and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Fixed that for you, the bag wasn't a "gift" but rather you "won" it fair and square....

 

[BeerAddikt]

Fixed that for you, the bag wasn't a "gift" but rather you "won" it fair and square....

LOL...hence the quotations. BTW, the bag rocks!

 

[BufferNuggets]

+1 for Wilser, I got a grand slam package just awhile ago and it has been amazing. Worked perfectly and the hop bag was a godsend for my last two batches. I even used the hop sock as a filter for my siphon when moving the beer and I was shocked how perfectly clear the beer ran. Fantastic product!

 

[Kerrbrewer]

I bought a wilser bag awhile back. Used it the first time today, it worked great! Definitely impressed with this product!

 

[radwizard]

I have a Wilser. The sewing and draw string are well done. The material is strong and can be repaired with a simple sew job if you do rip it. Customer service was top notch. I just have a bag for my kettle no pulley or hop sacks...

 

[thaymond]

I just used the wilser bag for the first time today. I gotta say that it is pretty amazing.

 

[TheMerkle]

Update: I have actually managed to ruin a wilser bag and am in need of a new one. Totally my fault though... I was using a brewhardware false bottom in a recirculation ebiab and ran the pump too fast. Pulled the false bottom apart and the bag into the pointy bits. Bobby is great and sent me a replacement even though I'm a dummy.

 

[davemattb]

I purchased both. Used the wilser first and haven't had a need to use the brew bag. I'm sure I will eventually but I'm in no rush.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Update: I have actually managed to ruin a wilser bag and am in need of a new one. Totally my fault though... I was using a brewhardware false bottom in a recirculation ebiab and ran the pump too fast. Pulled the false bottom apart and the bag into the pointy bits. Bobby is great and sent me a replacement even though I'm a dummy.

Yes that Bobby is a swell guy
Please PM me specifics of what you need.
Thanks

 

[TheMerkle]

It's an SS Brewtech 22.7 gallon kettle with Bobbys 17.5 in false bottom on 3.5 inch stilts.

 

[AllottaTrubble]

I own bags from both companies as well as hop socks and dry hop bags. From my experience, both bags are excellent. The brew bag seems a bit more heavy duty from the perspective of the seams, and after 30+ brews, shows no signs of slowing down. The Wilser bags appear to be great quality as well but I can not attest to their longevity.

A round about way of saying that I believe you can't go wrong with either of the bags as they are both excellent at pulling spent grains out of your wort.

When ordering the Wilser bags, the customer service was timely and helpful, but since I now have 2 great BIAB bags, I am hopeful I am set for the next several years!

 

[ZmannR2]

I know Wilser is awesome here on the forum and will surely give his bag a try after my Brew Bag needs replacing but 17 batches in and mine looks brand new still.

Also, how do you lift the bag if you don't have straps on wilser bags?

 

[wilserbrewer]

Also, how do you lift the bag if you don't have straps on wilser bags?

This question comes up frequently, so I have done several threads on the subject. The bag drawstring while very handy for securing the bag to the kettle, it can also be simply utilized for attaching the bag to a hoist.This most recent thread addresses utilizing a double pulley system, (available at wilserbrewer) as well bag attachment to a hoist. FWIW, the bag drawstring can be more useful than attachement straps IMO.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=623808

 

[MaxStout]

This question comes up frequently, so I have done several threads on the subject. The bag drawstring while very handy for securing the bag to the kettle, it can also be simply utilized for attaching the bag to a hoist.This most recent thread addresses utilizing a double pulley system, (available at wilserbrewer) as well bag attachment to a hoist. FWIW, the bag drawstring can be more useful than attachement straps IMO.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=623808

One nice benefit of the drawstring design is that, when hoisted, it draws the sides of the bag inward, limiting the diameter of the grain mass. Less chance of wort dripping overboard.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Agreed.

I do think the biggest plus of the drawstring w/ cord lock is being able to simply and quickly fasten the bag securely over and around the top of the kettle rim. When I see other bags in use and see a collection of 5-6 binder clips securing the bag it brings back memories....not to mention how effective the drawstring is for bag hoisting...only one attachment point to the hoist is easy and effective.

Pricing is also substantially lower at wilserbrewer, a large bag over 17.75" diameter is $22 vs $35 with cheaper shipping. Grand Slam package deals at wilserbrewer also offer significant savings.

I'm off the stump lol...

Thanks for the support.

Wilser

 

[benco]

Hey Wiser,

I just want to thank you for my new bag I got a couple weeks ago. Not that I needed it right away but I ordered it on Sunday and got it on Monday.

Thank you!

 

[MaxStout]

When I see other bags in use and see a collection of 5-6 binder clips securing the bag it brings back memories....

Wilser

That used to be me, back when I had the crappy bag from the LHBS. Except I used wooden clothes pins. Kinda hard to seat the lid (and hold in heat) with a half-dozen pins lined up around the rim.

 

[TANSTAAFB]

That used to be me, back when I had the crappy bag from the LHBS. Except I used wooden clothes pins. Kinda hard to seat the lid (and hold in heat) with a half-dozen pins lined up around the rim.

Yup! I used a brew bag for years...loved the handles, great product, but the binder clips and customer service both suck. Could not be happier with the product AND the customer service by Wilser!

 

[SDJay]

One word of caution re: longevity. The Wilserbag is not impervious to a determined Golden Retriever when you leave said bag with grain unattended in a bucket.....