Batch Size

[matr]

So why is a normal batch 23L??? Where did this come from?

It seems like an odd (meaning strange) number to me. It could be 20L or 25L but someone decided on 23..

The kits are made to 23L but I notice most AG guys aim for 23L and beersmith is setup for 23L.

What's the go?

[bullfrog]

I think it's got something to do with 23L more or less being 6 gallons, so comes to us from the Yanks.

[matr]

Yeah that's prob it. 6 gallons (US) is 22.71247 litres. So close enough to 23L

Following the Yanks once again..

If we'd been following the UK it would have been 27 litres..

[Planner]

6 USG = 22.7l
5 ImpG = 22.7l

Looks like wer'e following the yanks and the poms.

[matr]

True.. I looked at 6 gal for UK.

[39Niner]

2.5 boxes of 375ml stubbies or 750ml longies =22.5l

[Bum]

Sounds like coincidence to me. Why would the standard be 2.5 boxes?

[warra48]

beersmith is setup for 23L.

What's the go?

matr,

With respect, my learned friend, that's not quite accurate. Admittedly, most K&K recipes also seem to be based on a 23 litre batch.
BeerSmith allows you to design recipes for any size batch you want.
I realise most of the published recipes seem based on a 23 litre batch size, or alternatively a 5 US gal (19 litres), but the "Scale" function enables you to deal with that quite well.

In my case, I realised recently that I normally did 1 run-off, then 1½ sparges. I figured that by upping my grain bill slightly, and doing a run-off and 2 sparges, I could easily do 24 or 25 litre batches. That still leaves me enough headspace in the fermenter, and gives me an extra litre or two for the same effort.

Among the AG brewers there are still lots who do 23 litre batches, but equally there are plenty who do 40 or more litre batches. And.....then there's Speedie.....

[matr]

That's right warra, I thought it was pre set to 23L but that is what I have set it to. I just downloaded Beersmith onto my work laptop and it had it at 18.93L for original setup which can be changed.

I always do 20L batches but the 23L thing had me thinking last night.. Maybe I need to drink more??

[lethaldog]

My batch sizes are usuall about 42 litres with my ag setup and as a rule the kits are much better at 21-22 litres!

[Tipsy]

but I notice most AG guys aim for 23L

I aim for 21lts, with 2ltrs lost to trub and samples leaves me with 19ltrs for the keg.

Wish I could do double batches.

[speedie]

Warra @ 40 liters brews it is still the same time frame for 400 litres so if you get it right the first time you only need to brew once not ten times
It leaves time for other things
Cheers speedie

[Bum]

Yeah, I don't really like brewing either.

[speedie]

you seemed to have missed what the others posted they would like to double up
or more

[Bum]

I also seemed to miss the part they said they want to brew 400L. Known in HB circles as a decca-double.

You should see the size of my voile bag.

[chadjaja]

even when the kit says to do 23L's you usually get better results only making 20L's from it I found in my k&K days.

Now I'm doing 40L AG batches that I keg one and share the rest in stubbies with a mate. The list of wanting the other half of each batch is growing and there is a waiting list

Most of the recipes I see on homebrew talk are 5 gallon ones.

[speedie]

I recall something to do with the amount of alcohol that one could have on his or hers premises at any one time 5 gallons
It was a hangover from the prohibition days

At one time here in the west you could not leave the hotel with packaged alcohol unless it was in a brown paper bag a really dragooning approach to moderation

The greater public might be lured into the evils of the drink if they could see it
Also kegs came in 5 ,10 & 18’s those imperial days

[drsmurto]

I recall something to do with the amount of alcohol that one could have on his or hers premises at any one time 5 gallons
It was a hangover from the prohibition days

At one time here in the west you could not leave the hotel with packaged alcohol unless it was in a brown paper bag a really dragooning approach to moderation

The greater public might be lured into the evils of the drink if they could see it
Also kegs came in 5 ,10 & 18’s those imperial days

Dragooning?

I think (I hope) the word you are looking for is draconian.

[Bum]

Dragooning is a word and it is borderline approriate (if you're willing to be pretty relaxed about it, that is - and in this context I'm pretty sure you have to or your head may explode) so I let that one go through to the keeper.

[SuperBroo]

Settle lads...