Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Mashing Methods  (Read 2274 times)

Offline flapjack

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 58
  • Oak Park, IL
    • Flapjack Brew Club
Mashing Methods
« on: October 26, 2010, 03:14:52 pm »
Does anyone have a good resource for the mashing methods that include detailed steps & explanations for each of them and also contains the best method to use for specific beer styles? I've found quite a bit online but nothing that really covers the methods in great detail. Thanks 
James
Flapjack Brew Club

On Tap: FlapJack O'lantern Pumpkin Cream Ale
Fermenting: Power Sit-Up Golden Strong Ale
Fermenting: Full Inch Imperial IPA
Next Brew: Vigilante Imperial Stout

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27093
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Mashing Methods
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2010, 03:28:17 pm »
FWIW, I've found that it's more malt specific than style specific.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline beerocracy

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: Mashing Methods
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2010, 11:46:25 am »
Definitely the best introduction to mashing for a home brewer is How to Brew by John Palmer.

Offline euge

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8017
  • Ego ceruisam ad bibere cervisiam
Re: Mashing Methods
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2010, 12:16:42 pm »
Definitely the best introduction to mashing for a home brewer is How to Brew by John Palmer.

He breaks it down extremely well. There are different approaches/methods be it equipment, heating, handling and lautering. But in the end the grain has to sit and mash until converted.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

Offline ipaguy

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 179
Re: Mashing Methods
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2010, 03:57:33 pm »
Dave Miller's 'Homebrewing Guide' has a very good explanation of what goes on in mashing, as well as info on different methods.  At 15 yr. old it's a little outdated on stuff like yeast varieties, but still a classic.
Primary: gotlandsdricke/alt/dunkel hybrid
Secondary: pale barleywine,
Bottled:  Gotlandsdricke
               Oatmeal/blackberry stout
               Honey Kolsch

Offline davidw

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 93
Re: Mashing Methods
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2010, 10:53:16 am »
Does anyone have a good resource for the mashing methods that include detailed steps & explanations for each of them . . .  

This is not a good, but a great resource:

http://www.amazon.com/Brewmasters-Bible-Gold-Standard-Brewers/dp/0060952164/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289324334&sr=8-1

Snyder outlines single infusion, multistep, decoction, and partigyle mashing methods. He also gives various temp and time regimes to produce worts with different characteristics and makes suggestions as to what styles benefit (or would be best produced) using the different mashing methods. Keep in mind this was written around the time that under modified malts were still rather common compared to today when nearly everything is highly modified. And as Denny mentions, it's really more about the malt you are using than what particular style you are trying to achieve. However, this book does an excellent job of presenting the methods that have been common in the past. And there is some fun to be had in replicating them, whether or not there is any noticeable effect on the finished product.

Another great source that mainly focuses on German brewing processes is Greg Noonan's New Brewing Lager:

http://www.amazon.com/New-Brewing-Lager-Beer-Comprehensive/dp/0937381829/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289324974&sr=8-1

A lot of info on what is going on during different mashing methods, when they are best used, etc.
"The intriguing situation about brewing, on the other hand, is that mechanisms are theoretically possible, and the real key to success is the ability to identify those that are genuinely relevant in any particular situation."

~ George Fix : Introduction, Principles of Brewing Science