Pulled the trigger day after Xmas and picked up a used Clawhammer 120V BIAB system. Dude was serious about unloading all his equipment and gave me everything from stirring paddles to fermenters.

Local brewshop had Northern Brewer kits so figured what the hell, let's dance. I added some Maris Otter because I was worried about efficiency.

Plugged all the stats into a brew app. Guesstimated my efficiency at 69 (lol). OG over shot 1.049 at 1.052. I guess my system is way more efficient. Probably finish just north of 5% ABV.

Some fun stuff: Brew day was about 5.5 hours long. Clean up at 30 minutes. All done in my kitchen. Cost per beer when complete: 60 cents.

Totally rewarding. Gonna brew a stout next. I like boring English beer (no IPAs). Now we wait and see.

  • SpaceCosmonotkey [none/use name]
    ·
    2 years ago

    Hey i make homebrew too! Been doing it about 5 years. My favs to make are hefeweizens and russian imperial stouts. Never done BIAB, i just do extract brewing. Good way to make good beer for cheap :) makes great gifts! Happy brewing!

    • DickFuckarelli [he/him]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Awesome! I think I did 2 batches of extract 20 years ago before I was like, wait, it can be done even cheaper?

      Went all-grain and never looked back.

      • SpaceCosmonotkey [none/use name]
        ·
        2 years ago

        The equipment buy in and the space needed makes it harder for me but i didn’t know it was cheaper. I will have to look into it again.

        • DickFuckarelli [he/him]
          ·
          2 years ago

          Equipment is more involved (but eBIABs seem to have lowered the barrier to entry as I'm finding out now). But just looking at ingredients for recipes you'll easily save 30-50% on each batch.