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Author Topic: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?  (Read 1326 times)

Offline KCguy

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wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« on: August 09, 2019, 08:07:59 am »
Was reading a recent Brad Smith article about BIAB, and he ended with a comment that using adjuncts like flaked wheat isnt ideal for the full volume mash  BIAB setup, but didnt say why.  He referenced another article, which I skimmed but could find no answers.  Anyone know why flaked wheat wouldnt do well in a BIAB process? 

I just tried doing a Hefeweizen and it turned out pretty thin, and wondering if this is why...
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Offline rburrelli

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2019, 09:11:21 am »
 Not sure why. Maybe something to do with not sparging and therefore maybe not getting the most fermentables from them?
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Offline denny

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2019, 09:39:48 am »
I don't know why you shouldn't.   
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Offline denny

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2019, 09:40:23 am »
Not sure why. Maybe something to do with not sparging and therefore maybe not getting the most fermentables from them?

That would be true of ny grain, though.  And FTR, I sparge BIAB.
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Offline jjw5015

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2019, 10:00:53 am »
I appreciate Brad's contribution to brewing software, but wouldn't listen to anything he has to say regarding brewing practices that have developed in the last 10-15 years or so.

Offline denny

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2019, 11:32:34 am »
I appreciate Brad's contribution to brewing software, but wouldn't listen to anything he has to say regarding brewing practices that have developed in the last 10-15 years or so.

Exactly.
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Offline robdogj

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2019, 03:04:27 pm »
Not sure why. Maybe something to do with not sparging and therefore maybe not getting the most fermentables from them?

I sparge BIAB.

Denny I am thinking about doing this technique. Can you provide tips or any websites about sparging a BIAB batch?

Offline denny

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2019, 03:49:57 pm »
Not sure why. Maybe something to do with not sparging and therefore maybe not getting the most fermentables from them?

I sparge BIAB.

Denny I am thinking about doing this technique. Can you provide tips or any websites about sparging a BIAB batch?

Well, you just sparge it!  :)  I heat up water in another pot, put the bag in a colander in the brew pot, and pour the water over the bag.  Amount depends on the batch size.  I usually do 3 gal. BIAB so I sparge with 1-1.5 gal.
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Offline reverseapachemaster

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2019, 07:56:59 am »
Was reading a recent Brad Smith article about BIAB, and he ended with a comment that using adjuncts like flaked wheat isnt ideal for the full volume mash  BIAB setup, but didnt say why.  He referenced another article, which I skimmed but could find no answers.  Anyone know why flaked wheat wouldnt do well in a BIAB process? 

I just tried doing a Hefeweizen and it turned out pretty thin, and wondering if this is why...

The only argument I could see making out of that is huskless adjuncts contribute to less of a filter bed so you end up draining out more of the tiny grain pieces and protein clumps when you lift the bag--but in my experience with BIAB that is no more or less true of 100% malted barley beer. That seems like the kind of thing people just say without any experience or other real support.
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Offline robdogj

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2019, 09:33:16 am »


Not sure why. Maybe something to do with not sparging and therefore maybe not getting the most fermentables from them?

I sparge BIAB.

Denny I am thinking about doing this technique. Can you provide tips or any websites about sparging a BIAB batch?

Well, you just sparge it!  :)  I heat up water in another pot, put the bag in a colander in the brew pot, and pour the water over the bag.  Amount depends on the batch size.  I usually do 3 gal. BIAB so I sparge with 1-1.5 gal.

Sounds like the plan. I will use 6 gallons for the mash & sparge with 2 gallons.

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Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: wheat beers not ideal with BIAB setup?
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2019, 05:40:28 am »
I have used BIAB for both full mash no sparge and batch sparged (the bag is simply a filter).  As to heart or flaked adjunct, I have experienced a very slow drain off in some instances, but it is easily remedied by stirring and rubbing the inside of the bag with a mash paddle to free up the mesh from the “tieg” layer that can build up.  I have gone to a coarser bag (400 Micron) and I no longer experience any issues with slow runoff or recirculation problems.
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