National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => All Grain Brewing => Topic started by: onemanorthree on November 22, 2015, 09:01:24 PM

Title: Splitting a brew
Post by: onemanorthree on November 22, 2015, 09:01:24 PM
Are there any issues with creating a brew in two stages?
I want to make the tea tonight but dont have time for all the hopping etc,
I'd rather the mashing and sparging was done when I get home from work tomorrow.

So I'd be mashing tonight, letting the wort cool and then doing the boil tomorrow.

This ok?
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: mcgrath on November 22, 2015, 09:08:12 PM
I don't know but I did a mash and sparge this eve and will do the boil in the morning. Brought the wort to the boil first before leaving it. Hopefully all will be ok. Won't have feedback for a few weeks though..
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: molc on November 22, 2015, 09:15:43 PM
Yeah some people do split day brewing like that and it works fine. If possible, get it to around 80 to pasteurise first, otherwise there's a chance of getting some souring I think.
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: Jonnycheech on November 22, 2015, 10:01:19 PM
If you're planning on cooling the wort slowly overnight there's a chance of DMS, a cooked corn like off flavour and aroma.
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: sub82 on November 22, 2015, 10:09:24 PM
Quote from: mcgrath on November 22, 2015, 09:08:12 PM
I don't know but I did a mash and sparge this eve and will do the boil in the morning. Brought the wort to the boil first before leaving it. Hopefully all will be ok. Won't have feedback for a few weeks though..

I've done this for my last 4 brews and not noticed any difference/off flavours. No time for a straight 5 hours these days!
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: robotmonkey on November 23, 2015, 09:17:07 AM
I've done a few split batches like that (mash one evening and boil the next) and not had any issues
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: SlugTrap on November 23, 2015, 11:27:49 AM
Quote from: Johnnycheech on November 22, 2015, 10:01:19 PM
If you're planning on cooling the wort slowly overnight there's a chance of DMS, a cooked corn like off flavour and aroma.

When you return the wort to the boil for hopping the next day, would that DMS cook off?
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: onemanorthree on November 23, 2015, 11:47:08 AM
Quote from: SlugTrap on November 23, 2015, 11:27:49 AM
Quote from: Johnnycheech on November 22, 2015, 10:01:19 PM
If you're planning on cooling the wort slowly overnight there's a chance of DMS, a cooked corn like off flavour and aroma.

When you return the wort to the boil for hopping the next day, would that DMS cook off?

This is what I was going to ask.
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: Jonnycheech on November 23, 2015, 03:43:47 PM
Sorry my bad guys! DMS can be formed if the wort is slowly cooled after boiling, not mashing. Sorry I jumped in without thinking! Ooopsy!

It should be fine mashing one day and boiling the next!
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: onemanorthree on November 24, 2015, 11:03:07 AM
Yeah, it was an odd batch, obv with 16tlrs it took an age to boil and then never really got a rolling boil on properly.
I use an induction stove and it seems to have issues getting a vigorous boil on anything larger than 12/13ltrs
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: Hop Bomb on November 24, 2015, 03:33:23 PM
DMS will form in mash wort if you leave it long enough. Its happened myself once when I saved the last runnings from a mash at GBB for boiling on the homebrew kit. Didnt get to boil it as was busy & then forgot about it. 3 days later I had 80 litres of liquid corn. And AFAIK you cant boil off DMS once its formed.

I used to split batch all the time as I couldnt commit the time to a full brew day. Mash into the kettle one eve, bring up to 80 odd degrees, then seal the kettle with cling film. Do the boil the next eve. I never had any issues except for one time I didnt get to do the boil until three days later (you see a pattern here) as was too busy with work. The wort had developed a slight fecal aroma. I decided to boil & ferment it anyway as Id learn from it. It never boiled or fermented out. Served the keg on nitro at a party & 2 people noticed. The other 20 or so people who had pints loved it & didnt spot anything, even when I mentioned it to them. It was fairly prominent like. Mad.

If yer gona split batch make sure you have the time set aside to boil & chill the next evening or you'll end up with literally, shitty beer.
Title: Re: Splitting a brew
Post by: mcgrath on January 04, 2016, 06:57:59 PM
I tried my splitbatch beer over christmas and I'm happy with it. I would definitely do it again if time is an issue.