[yso191]

I've got a 1st World problem.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who is torn between experimenting and brewing beer for drinking.  I've got the system for brewing 5 gallon batches of beer to drink.  But I don't want to waste all the ingredients and work making that much beer that will likely be dumped after I taste the results of the experiment. 

So I'm thinking about assembling a system to brew a gallon or less. 

I know I would really enjoy a lab grade setup, but I don't have any experience with that except for my 2 & 5 liter Erlenmeyer flasks for making yeast starters.  So I'm coming to you all.  How would you do this?

My values are: easy to clean, elegance of design and efficiency.  A lot to ask I know, but I can't be the first one to invent this wheel.

[duboman]

I've hough about doing 1 gal batches as well and basically I figured I would simply do BIAB on my stove in a smaller kettle, primary in a 64oz growler. It seemed pretty simple to do, but then I decided to do another full batch;)

Edit: I did realize the growler would be too small as a primary and figured I'd get 2 gal bucket

[HoosierBrew]

I do 1 gallon batches, but just to test out new hops. For those I use dme and part of a packet of S05. I don't go that small for any other reason though.

[Stevie]

I've done quite a few small batches that produce a 12 pack of beer. I hate it. I'm getting me a couple of 2.5 gal kegs from AiH and doing 2-2.5 gal batches. Too much effort for little payoff and bottling 12 beers is annoying enough that I put it off like cleaning the bathroom.

[quattlebaum]

The science/experimenting aspect of brewing is the main reason I enjoy this hobby that's why I have downsized the 2.5 gal batches. It does seem to go fast at that size between a growler to the homebrew club meeting and a few pints for  my friends and myself. This is what I use.

Small Coleman cooler/Walmart  28 qt I think with ss Braid. Big enough for no sparge if I want.



5 gal carboy

36 qt bayou SS pot
Camp chef 2 burner outdoor stove.

I also invested in a few 2.5 gal kegs but I do use my 5 gal for them sometimes. Lots of purging:)


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[dmtaylor]

BIAB, and the smallest fermenter you can find.  I brew 1.7-gallon batches all the time these days, BIAB, 3-gallon fermenter (a little too big but oh well).  No need for a chiller or fancy equipment.  Git 'r done.

[erockrph]

My test batches are extract, 15 minute boil, one gallon preboil, fermented in a 1 gallon jug. I can get three separate batches done in under 2 hours, and about 7 or 8 batches in the time span of a typical all grain brewday.

[pete b]

It seems there are 3 threads essentially on the same topic: see "keggle" thread here and "efficiency..." under General Homebrewing for everyone's ideas.

[yso191]

It seems there are 3 threads essentially on the same topic: see "keggle" thread here and "efficiency..." under General Homebrewing for everyone's ideas.

Yes, I've been watching those.  Honestly, I'm looking for a lab grade setup.  Just not sure where to go / how to set it up - but I'm getting there.