[IBU] New Batch Sparge Technique

[Mike Young]

While checking online forums, I came across a new batch sparge technique that I tried last night for the first time.  Instead of equalizing the first runnings and second runnings, I decreased the amount of sparge water and added a third sparge.  This increased my efficiency by over 10% which I thought was pretty amazing. 
 
My standard procedure has been to mash in with about 1.4 qt/lb.  After 60 minutes, I would add enough water to get to half of my desired pre-boil volume.  I would then add the remainder of my sparge water, vorloff, and drain the mash tun.
 
What I tried last night only took about 5-10 minutes longer and was well worth it.  Instead of adding a lot of water at the end of the mash, I only added .5 gallons, stirred, and drained.  Then I added 2.5 gallons of sparge water, stirred, and drained.  I followed up with a 3rd running using my remaining 2.5 gallons of water.  
 
I calculated the recipe at 75% efficiency which is what I usually get.  After taking a refractometer reading, my wort was already at the SG it was supposed to be after the boil.  Since it was supposed to be a fairly low-gravity beer I ended up boiling a little less vigorously and only increasing my gravity by 4 points instead of my usual 8.  But plugging this recipe into beersmith with the gravity I would have gotten from a vigorous boil, I got 87% efficiency.  This method will definitely become my new SOP and I look forward to trying it out on some higher gravity beers to see what kind of efficiency increase I get.
 
--Mike
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