Brew in a bag(BIAB) experience?

DeanRIowa · Post by **DeanRIowa** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm

I was thinking of trying an All -grain kit from Northern Brewer, but I do not have a Mash tun, thus I was thinking of trying BIAB using two pots, one pot for the mash and another for sparging.

Anyone have any experience with BIAB? If so you results compared to standard all-grain brewing? Any advice would be great?

thanks,
Dean

tompb · Post by **tompb** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 6:07 pm

Brad from Beersmith did a podcast on this.

http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2011/02/2 ... odcast-10/

It's a good source of info to listen to before you do it. Actually all his podcasts are good listening.

Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:10 pm

I’ve done it many times.. its seems to work ok.. but It is a little cumbersome to make a full 5 gallon batch of All grain.. I only use it when I want some specific grains I want to use but get half or more of my fermentable sugars from DME, extract or other sources.

Just be prepared for you brew day to be about three times longer.

From: DeanRIowa [mailto:brew-tech@crbeernuts.org]
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2011 2:04 PM
To: brew-tech@crbeernuts.org
Subject: Brew in a bag(BIAB) experience?

I was thinking of trying an All -grain kit from Northern Brewer, but I do not have a Mash tun, thus I was thinking of trying BIAB using two pots, one pot for the mash and another for sparging.

Anyone have any experience with BIAB? If so you results compared to standard all-grain brewing? Any advice would be great?

thanks,
Dean

Planned: Bavarian Hefe Weizen
Next: Irish Stout
Primary: Irish Red Ale
Secondary: German Alt
Bottled: Kölsch, Hard Cider
Drinking: Commercial

Contemplating: Czech Pilsner, Bavarian Helles, Bavarian Dunkle, Austrian Marzen, Vienna Lager

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

DrPaulsen · Post by **DrPaulsen** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:15 am

Not yet, but I'm thinking about it. I suspect it's possible to do a single-vessel, all-electric system for no-sparge, BIAB that would shave 1-2 hours off a standard all-grain brewday, including clean-up.

I'm interested to hear how your experience goes.

BrewHound · Post by **BrewHound** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:12 pm

I did this prior to getting a mash tun.

However, I did not use a pot for the mash tun but rather a big grain sack and a bottling bucket. Then you just go as you would with any all grain brew. However, if following this method, find something to insulate the bottling bucket. When I used to do it, I would just wrap the bottling bucket in a big comforter and it held a temp pretty well.

Using the bottling bucket and mesh bag, you have a spout available to drain.

JimF · Post by **JimF** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:05 am

DrPaulsen wrote:Not yet, but I'm thinking about it. I suspect it's possible to do a single-vessel, all-electric system for no-sparge, BIAB that would shave 1-2 hours off a standard all-grain brewday, including clean-up.

I'm interested to hear how your experience goes.

More Beer has some German-made and very expensive systems here: http://morebeer.com/search/104230

DeanRIowa · Post by **DeanRIowa** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:27 pm

That makes me wish I had a couple thousand dollars laying around not needed for something else other than brewing, nice systems.

Dean

glen · Post by **glen** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:56 am

I do BIAB that way, but I currently only do 2.5 gallon batches. I have a 7.5 gallon pot that I mash in, and a 3 gallon pot that I use for a mashout/sparge step. Consistently getting 83% mash efficiency, so it's working well for me.