When we first evaluated brew in a bag as a method we approached it from the eyes of an experienced all grain brewer that uses a traditional mash tun and sparge set up. After that video posted readers and. Viewers had some comments to add to our video and assessment. We decided to shoot another video to dig a little deeper into those responses and open our conversation a little wider regarding brew in a bag.
The one batch of brew in a bag that we’ve done so far was easy and straight forward. Both of us are looking forward to try it again. John has plans for some more small batch tests. While I am planning a couple full sized batches to compare to my normal method. All in all we are looking forward to brewing more beer. And tasting and trying them I video format as well.
Our first impressions for BIAB was that there may be now real time savings for us based in how we brew already. But we both admitted that might be an experience issue. Which is why we still plan to do a few more BIAB batches.
We made the comment before that brew in a bag, in our minds, could replace the partial mash technique entirely as brewers progress to all grain brewing. We should have been clearer in not dismissing BIAB as an all grain brewing technique in its own right. What we meant to focus on was that BIAB is so easy we could see people forgoing the tedious steps of doing a small mash and calculating the extract needed to complete a partial mash session. BIAB allows you to get right into all grain and leave extract behind with out much issue. Without much new equipment. Without much added skill sets. BIAB really is an easier way to get into mashing than partial mashing is. And for that reason we predict in the short long term it will trump partial mashing as the next progressive step in home brewing for many brewers.
Ultimately homebrewing for is about two things. Making good beer and having fun. If it isn’t those two things then why do it. Brew the way you want and don’t look back. In the end good beer is good beer and it doesn’t matter who brewed it or how or where it was brewed. Right?
BREW ON!
Rick
Liked the discussion of brew in bag. I started home brewing when my lovely wife got me a Mr Beer kit for Valentines Day. We don’t have a ton of free space, so I still use Mr Beer kegs for fermenters. I brew all-grain, use brew in a bag, ferment in Mr Beer kegs. It’s fun for me, the scale works for our household, and the beer is getting better all the time.