I’m upgrading to BIAB but don’t want to wrestle with a full 5 gallon grain bill at the end. I’m going to split the 3 NB kits I bought during the all-grain offer but wondering how efficient it will be to just split the specialty grains. I know it’s a mix of grains and worried that if it’s not an even split that it will have a major effect on the overall flavor. Also by splitting it allows me to try different yeast or add-ons and want to make sure the only major change would be those factors not the absence of a fraction or a percent of the specialty grains.
Just checking to see if anyone has an opinion or maybe a NB employee could help with how efficiently I need to split the bag of specialty grains? Just don’t want the grains to play a major factor on flavor if the exact split isn’t perfect, especially since I plan on testing yeast and other items at the same time to learn profiles.
I guess if you mixed them very well you could get close. Next time you can ask them to ship the grain unmixed to make it easy.
Didn’t think about that. I did ask before the order if they could use the promo and turn them into 3 gal BIAB and that was a no go. Mentioned splitting in the email, but was never mentioned by the rep to suggest sending the specialty grains unmixed. Now I know and knowing is half the battle.
Just an update. So I didn’t realize the specialty grains are put into the same bag by NB so live and learn I suppose. I took all 3 5 gallon kits and split them into 2.5 gallon used my food saver to vacuum seal the grains them. My bags would hold apx 1lb 1oz, so I mixed the bags as much as possible and labeled the first one A, second B, third A, and so on to hopefully split the differences in grain distribution. I plan to do another crush before brewing.
My plans with the kits are as follows ideas and suggestions are welcome;
Bavarian Hefeweizen - Will make the first batch as 2.5 gallon as is. Second batch I plan to make an apple wheat so will add cinnamon and apple cider.
Black IPA - WIll make the first batch as 2.5 gallon as is. Second batch I’m going to replace the Centennial Hops with Nugget, and add another 1 oz of Nugget as dry hops.
La Petite Orange - Will make the first batch as 2.5 gallon as is. Second batch I’m going to make based on NB suggestion of adding orange zest and coriander, was thinking maybe some juice from the oranges as well.
