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Date: 07 Jul 2006 07:51:54
From: speckking
Subject: first big beer and efficiency
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Hi all,
I'm just getting into all grain (just got my second batch into the
fermenter), and am already itching to try a high(er) gravity brew. I've
done a bit of reading on the subject and have a question about
estimating efficiency.
As I understand it, it's likely that I'll obtain enough wort volume for
the boil before I've extracted the majority of the sugars out of the
grain, thus ending up with a lower efficiency. In order to calculate
the required quantity of grain to reach my target gravity, what should
I use as an estimate of efficiency. In my last all grain batch (a dry
stout) I calculated my efficiency at 77%. I batch sparged and tried to
get the runoff volume of each batch to be the same ( I came pretty
close).
Thanks in advance.
By the way, I've found this group to be extremely helpful and
informative.
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Date: 07 Jul 2006 16:42:47
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: first big beer and efficiency
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On 7 Jul 2006 07:51:54 -0700, <lewis.roussel@earthlink.net > wrote:
> As I understand it, it's likely that I'll obtain enough wort volume for
> the boil before I've extracted the majority of the sugars out of the
> grain, thus ending up with a lower efficiency.
Exactly. You can keep collecting runoff until you get the sugars, but
you'll end up with a huge volume that you need to boil down. Most people
just accept the lower efficiency because it's more convenient.
> In order to calculate
> the required quantity of grain to reach my target gravity, what should
> I use as an estimate of efficiency. In my last all grain batch (a dry
> stout) I calculated my efficiency at 77%. I batch sparged and tried to
> get the runoff volume of each batch to be the same ( I came pretty
> close).
Depends on how big the intended beer will be. I'd guess 65% to 70%. You
got pretty decent efficiency your first time (assuming it was measured
right), so that should help.
John.
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Date: 07 Jul 2006 08:23:34
From: speckking
Subject: Re: first big beer and efficiency
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Joel wrote:
> If doing a single batch big beer, I drop my efficiency
> percentage by 10. I also sometimes collect an extra
> gallon or so of runnings and boil them down separately
> while doing the main boil, then add them back close to
> the end of the boil.
> Also, I often do a parti-gyle brew session, by figuring
> a grain bill for the big beer plus a smaller beer, then
> figuring the first runnings at 50% efficiency, and the second
> runnings at 25%.
> Both methods come close enough for me (but I don't sweat
> small differences from expectations, especially on big beers).
> --
> Joel Plutchak "Never argue with a fool; people watching might not
> plutchak at [...] be able to tell the difference." (author unknown)
Cool. I think I'll just assume about 60-65% and see what I get.
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Date: 07 Jul 2006 15:16:28
From: Joel
Subject: Re: first big beer and efficiency
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speckking <lewis.roussel@earthlink.net > wrote:
>I'm just getting into all grain (just got my second batch into the
>fermenter), and am already itching to try a high(er) gravity brew. I've
>done a bit of reading on the subject and have a question about
>estimating efficiency.
>
>As I understand it, it's likely that I'll obtain enough wort volume for
>the boil before I've extracted the majority of the sugars out of the
>grain, thus ending up with a lower efficiency. In order to calculate
>the required quantity of grain to reach my target gravity, what should
>I use as an estimate of efficiency. In my last all grain batch (a dry
>stout) I calculated my efficiency at 77%. I batch sparged and tried to
>get the runoff volume of each batch to be the same ( I came pretty
>close).
If doing a single batch big beer, I drop my efficiency
percentage by 10. I also sometimes collect an extra
gallon or so of runnings and boil them down separately
while doing the main boil, then add them back close to
the end of the boil.
Also, I often do a parti-gyle brew session, by figuring
a grain bill for the big beer plus a smaller beer, then
figuring the first runnings at 50% efficiency, and the second
runnings at 25%.
Both methods come close enough for me (but I don't sweat
small differences from expectations, especially on big beers).
--
Joel Plutchak "Never argue with a fool; people watching might not
plutchak at [...] be able to tell the difference." (author unknown)
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Date: 07 Jul 2006 11:04:36
From: speckking
Subject: Re: first big beer and efficiency
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John 'Shaggy' Kolesar wrote:
>
> Depends on how big the intended beer will be. I'd guess 65% to 70%. You
> got pretty decent efficiency your first time (assuming it was measured
> right), so that should help.
>
>
I calculated efficiency as described in John Palmer's book. I was
suprised it came out that high but this was my second all grain batch
(my first came out at 72% efficiency) and I've conducted 4 partial
mashes prior to get used to the procedure. It was quite a change going
to all grain though. I probably won't go really big with my next brew,
probably something around 1.070. If my efficiency sucks, I"ll still get
a gravity higher than what I've been working with. All of my previous
brews and been session beers, 1.030-1.040. I can drink more that way.
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Date: 07 Jul 2006 13:06:57
From: Thomas T. Veldhouse
Subject: Re: first big beer and efficiency
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speckking <lewis.roussel@earthlink.net > wrote:
> I calculated efficiency as described in John Palmer's book. I was
> suprised it came out that high but this was my second all grain batch
> (my first came out at 72% efficiency) and I've conducted 4 partial
> mashes prior to get used to the procedure. It was quite a change going
> to all grain though. I probably won't go really big with my next brew,
> probably something around 1.070. If my efficiency sucks, I"ll still get
> a gravity higher than what I've been working with. All of my previous
> brews and been session beers, 1.030-1.040. I can drink more that way.
>
Indeed ... I am finding my favorite beers have a gravity between 1.050 and
1.060. That goes for lagers and ales, in general. Some of the belgian golden
ales might be an exception to the rule.
--
Thomas T. Veldhouse
Key Fingerprint: 2DB9 813F F510 82C2 E1AE 34D0 D69D 1EDC D5EC AED1
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