25 replies to this topic

[jammer]

Just wondering who makes what sized batches. I do 6 gals, which allows me to keg 5 g of it, and bottle the rest to share with friends. Whats your story?

[3rd party JKor]

10 gallon finished product. 11-12 post boil.

[MyaCullen]

I do 5.5's, and if I intend to have a little extra I'll bump up to 6. I will adjust batch size for large amounts of whole hops as well

[Jimmy James]

The past couple years mostly 10 but lately I am going back to 5 gal so I can brew more different recipes and variants of recipes. 10 gallons is pretty much either for a party or something my wife and I plan to have around for a while these days.

[gnef]

I do anywhere from 4-12 gallon batches, it depends on the beer. I generally do 10 gallon batches though. If I am off on my volumes, it may get up to 12 gallons post boil.For my big beers that I boil for a long time, they can boil down to 4 gallons post boil or so. Also, if I don't think I will be able to drink it quickly enough before the beer goes bad, I will limit myself to just 5 gallons. This is more for my wheat beers, as I discovered if I keep them for too long, they sour and I dump them, so it isn't worth it for me to do a full 10g batch of it.

[BuxomBrewster]

I do 5 gallon batches. That's as big as my pot is, so that's what I do.

[chuck_d]

10 gallons of finished product is my standard size. Usually like 11 into the fermenter, sometimes I split that into two carboys for whatever reason. If I've got a carboy sitting around empty I'll do a 5 gallon batch, same if I just have ingredients lying around for 5 gallons.

[djinkc]

10 gallon finished product. 11-12 post boil.

Pretty much the same. I had every intention of fermenting more when I restarted. Figured I could bottle some in bombers or champagne bottles - never gotten around to it. So, fill a couple kegs and call it good.

[ncbeerbrewer]

I brew 5.25-5.5 gallon beers and make sure I hit that mark so after transfer I get 5 gallons in the keg. When I started kegging a year ago I brewed 6 gallons and bottled the extra gallon. Now I think bottling and carbing is a PIA so I said forget that. If someone wants any of my beers then can take from the keg or I will counter fill a bottle or 6er for you. I also brewed 5 gallons so as soon as one is gone, its gone not another 5 gallons around to drink. I only brew 10 gallon batches when I split them with my brew buddy and that has been twice so far this year. I have brewed 14 beers this year all different. Variety is the spice of life.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I only voted for 5 b/c that's pretty much what I make but very often I end up with between 5-6 depending on boil off, how carefully I measure, etc.

[stangbat]

10g because my system is setup for it and it takes me no more time or effort. It means I brew less often, which is both good and bad.

[DubbelEntendre]

6 because that is what my system allows for and usually only 5 plus a six pack make it into someone's esophagus.

[kbhale]

Every day beer 11 gallon batch. Specialty brew 5.5 gallon which is seldom.

[BarelyBrews]

I checked the 5 gallon mark, mostly that is what im finished with.My system is 6.5 gallon preboil, so around 5 to 5.25 is normal for finished . I agree with NC brewer bottling is a PIA , kegging is great. Gives me more joy and lot less work.

[ncbeerbrewer]

For sure on the bottling. Last night, I kegged and started to force carb a German Hefeweizen and an American IPA transfer, seal keg, put on gas. Thirty minutes, drinking by next weekend. Sure can't do that with bottles.

[stellarbrew]

5.5 gallons post boil gives me enough to make 5 gallons of finished beer, after leaving behind trub and yeast, and accounting for gravity samples.I thought about 10 gallon batches, and I know my drinking could keep pace with that if allowed it to do so. However, 5 gallon batches allow me to set a physique-friendly consumption pace, while still brewing often enough to keep it interesting.

[beerbaron]

I do a 15 gal mash and split it to two 15.5 gal kettles(one small, one big) for a total finished quantity of about 21-22 gallons.

[jammer]

I thought about 10 gallon batches, and I know my drinking could keep pace with that if allowed it to do so. However, 5 gallon batches allow me to set a physique-friendly consumption pace, while still brewing often enough to keep it interesting.

I did too, but bumping up to 10 gallon batches requires more equipment, which translates into more money. Packing around 6 gals of boiling hot wort is about the max i can do. To do 10 gals, Iwould need to get a march pump, a bigger chiller, a larger kettle, and a larger fermenter. I think ill just stay where im at for now.