I know what you mean. I hated reinventing the wheel every time I brew ...so, I decided to standardize everything I can so I can chillax. I simplified my processes to the point that each brewday is very intuitive. ...and most importantly very relaxed.
To do this I started by standardizing my processes but quickly realized I could take this a step further to standardize recipes. Most of my beers use a similar grist base weight and I sub in/out similar weight specialty malts to hit colors/flavors. This allows the same volume of water and water additions.
For example, let’s say a typical English Bitter will be 95% Maris Otter and 5% English Med Crystal for 12 lb 10 oz grain. I substitute American standard 2-row for the MO (or combination of 2-row and Munich or other base malts to = 95%) and sub in 5% C60 for the Med Crystal to get an APA. Sub in 95% 2-row + 5% C20 for a Blonde Ale. Sub in 95% German Pilsner and 5% carahell for a Pils. ...and so on...
Same grist weight to mash so I don’t reinvent the process but produce completely different beers. Add appropriate hops for each in the boil, possibly other sugars, maybe dry hops after fermentation, to further define the style.
Of course, I riff off those standards but I am usually within a pound one way or the other so I rarely change my standard 5 gals strike + 3.5 gal sparge water volume to get my ~7 gal wort in the BK. Boil down to 6-6.5 gal or so, loose a half gal or so to trüb for 5.5 gal in the FV. Loose a half gal in the FV to trüb for 5 gal in a keg. Works the same every time.
I also used to weigh and add strike and sparge water mineral additions separately. I now weigh out and add all the minerals to the full volume, then drain the sparge liquor from the BK into a HLT, then pump strike liquor from the BK to underlet the mash in the MLT. Much easier.
No more step mashes either -- one single infusion temp, set the pump flow valve with digital calipers to a known flow rate, turn on the RIMS controller to maintain my desired mash temp and see ya later. Next thing ya know: Beautiful wort in the BK.
This process standardization has liberated me to lift my head and focus on end results vs focus heads down in the process every brewday. I now look forward to the next brewday. ...and I especially look forward to the reward.
It reminds me of my golf game. I used to concentrate on hitting the ball so much that I focused down. Then I learned to swing the club and quit worrying about hitting the ball. I was now focused on a distant target. Where to hit it not how to hit it. The game began to be much more fun. (and profitable
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