Brew Tips #5: Batch Size
Found this article recommending 1G batch sizes which was something I had tossed around myself.
I'm not doing All-Grain at the moment, so I'm already at the stage where I'm converting other recipes to extract recipes. And most brew calculators will even auto scale a recipe up or down for you. Which brings me to a point I never thought to make to others. Most recipes for home brewers are for 5G. But, situations differ and that may not make a ton of sense for everyone.
For me, when I debated 1G batches the problem was quickly discovered. Both my wife and I drink beer. And, as mentioned before, we average 1 pint a night. That is about 4-5 days tops out of a batch. And that would mean either doing multiple batches on brew day, or having a brew WEEK. It also means, potentially having 2-4 batches on the go at any given time. Which means more of everything. I have a 2 year old. I work during the day, and I'm alone watching the baby on Saturday's. That means I have night or Sunday's to do brewing (and even then... really just nights, because toddler).
As I build up a stash of beer, or as the child grows (assuming we don't make more of those as well :)) I might find things change. For me, personally, a 5G batch should last almost a month or more. So, once the stash is built up, I can brew and bottle just once a month. Yes it is absolutely a much bigger chore per batch. But less effort by volume for a smaller batch (5x 1G batch would be more work than 1x 5G batch).
But! That is just me. If there were only 1 beer drinker in the house, or our rate of consumption were lower a smaller batch size might make more sense and work out. At a pint a day 1G would last a single beer drinker a week and a half. Might be able to get away with just 1-2 batches on the go at any given time. Probably closer to 2.
But then... why not do 2G batches? If you're willing to go to 1G you're already hitting all of the same problems you'd hit going to any other size. And 2G might necessitate a bigger pot, but even at 2G you can still find standard household cookware to do the job.
Those problems? Not huge ones really. Not a lot of 1G recipes out there. So, most of the problem is either finding or converting recipes.
My recommendation is to evaluate your schedule and drinking needs and choose batch sizes that work for you personally. As the article mentions, there are benefits to 1G batches. Less lost on a failed batch. Easier to experiment. Easier to get into All-Grain. There are also advantages to 5G batches. Larger output. Greater distance between brew dates. Better recipe availability.
There is no single, simple answer. For me, with 5G, where I end up is that if I only make a batch every few weeks to a month (or even slack off and wait longer) my wife and I will never run out of beer. If I do one every 3-4 weeks we'll even be able to stock pile a few bottles from each back long enough to have some variety. Will I invest in more equipment than I would have with smaller batches? Probably. But, for me it is worth it to not need to brewing for a week straight or every week just to keep myself stocked.
You're not me though. Do what works for you size wise.
I'm not doing All-Grain at the moment, so I'm already at the stage where I'm converting other recipes to extract recipes. And most brew calculators will even auto scale a recipe up or down for you. Which brings me to a point I never thought to make to others. Most recipes for home brewers are for 5G. But, situations differ and that may not make a ton of sense for everyone.
For me, when I debated 1G batches the problem was quickly discovered. Both my wife and I drink beer. And, as mentioned before, we average 1 pint a night. That is about 4-5 days tops out of a batch. And that would mean either doing multiple batches on brew day, or having a brew WEEK. It also means, potentially having 2-4 batches on the go at any given time. Which means more of everything. I have a 2 year old. I work during the day, and I'm alone watching the baby on Saturday's. That means I have night or Sunday's to do brewing (and even then... really just nights, because toddler).
As I build up a stash of beer, or as the child grows (assuming we don't make more of those as well :)) I might find things change. For me, personally, a 5G batch should last almost a month or more. So, once the stash is built up, I can brew and bottle just once a month. Yes it is absolutely a much bigger chore per batch. But less effort by volume for a smaller batch (5x 1G batch would be more work than 1x 5G batch).
But! That is just me. If there were only 1 beer drinker in the house, or our rate of consumption were lower a smaller batch size might make more sense and work out. At a pint a day 1G would last a single beer drinker a week and a half. Might be able to get away with just 1-2 batches on the go at any given time. Probably closer to 2.
But then... why not do 2G batches? If you're willing to go to 1G you're already hitting all of the same problems you'd hit going to any other size. And 2G might necessitate a bigger pot, but even at 2G you can still find standard household cookware to do the job.
Those problems? Not huge ones really. Not a lot of 1G recipes out there. So, most of the problem is either finding or converting recipes.
My recommendation is to evaluate your schedule and drinking needs and choose batch sizes that work for you personally. As the article mentions, there are benefits to 1G batches. Less lost on a failed batch. Easier to experiment. Easier to get into All-Grain. There are also advantages to 5G batches. Larger output. Greater distance between brew dates. Better recipe availability.
There is no single, simple answer. For me, with 5G, where I end up is that if I only make a batch every few weeks to a month (or even slack off and wait longer) my wife and I will never run out of beer. If I do one every 3-4 weeks we'll even be able to stock pile a few bottles from each back long enough to have some variety. Will I invest in more equipment than I would have with smaller batches? Probably. But, for me it is worth it to not need to brewing for a week straight or every week just to keep myself stocked.
You're not me though. Do what works for you size wise.
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