[IBU] New Batch Sparge Technique

[Mike Edwards]

The best brewing investment I ever made was a refractometer so I could
watch the gravity as my fly-sparging proceeds.  I err on the side of
caution and stop when the runoff is around 4°P (roughly 1.016 SG).

Mike

On Thu, 2008-05-08 at 11:16 -0500, Rob Emmerson wrote:
> I agree with Andy, you need to watch the gravity of your final
> runnings. (not below 1.010)  You may gain efficiency but risk off
> flavors with too many tannins extracted.
> 
> Rob
> 
>         
>         ______________________________________________________________
>         Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 09:53:38 -0500
>         From: myoung at mikeserve.com
>         To: amesbrewersleague at yahoogroups.com;
>         ibu at iowabrewersunion.org
>         Subject: [IBU] New Batch Sparge Technique
>         
>         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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