Brew in a Bag: A Simple Guide to All-Grain Brewing

Brew in a Bag (BIAB) offers an excellent introduction to all-grain brewing, providing a straightforward way to craft your own beer from basic ingredients. This method bridges the gap between extract kit brewing and more complex all-grain setups, allowing you to create authentic craft beer with minimal equipment and space requirements.

Why Choose Brew in a Bag?

BIAB brewing offers several distinct advantages for both newcomers and experienced brewers:

Simplicity and Accessibility

Unlike traditional all-grain brewing methods that require multiple vessels and complex equipment, BIAB requires only basic kitchen equipment to get started. This simplicity makes it an ideal stepping stone from extract brewing to all-grain brewing, offering more control over your recipe while maintaining an approachable process.

Space-Efficient

Whether you’re brewing in a small flat or a spacious kitchen, BIAB can adapt to your available space. The method works perfectly well on a standard kitchen hob, making it ideal for urban brewers or those with limited space for dedicated brewing equipment.

Cost-Effective

Starting with BIAB requires minimal investment in equipment, especially if you already have basic kitchen items. This low barrier to entry makes it an excellent way to experiment with all-grain brewing before committing to more expensive setups.

Essential Equipment

To begin brewing with BIAB, you’ll need:

Basic Equipment

• A large pot (minimum 10-125 litres for small batches)
• A fine mesh bag (specifically designed for brewing)
• A reliable thermometer
• A long spoon for stirring
• Fermentation vessel
• Airlock and bung
• Sanitiser and cleaner
• Bottling wand
• Something to pack your finished beer into

Optional But Useful

• A hop spider or hop sock for containing hops
• A bazooka filter or similar for clearer transfers
• Basic water treatment supplies
• A method for cooling your wort

Understanding Batch Sizes

Your brewing setup will determine your potential batch size:

Kitchen Hob Brewing

• Standard electric hob: Maximum 10-litre batches
• Gas hob with wok burner: Up to 15-litre batches
• Induction hob: Can often manage larger batches by using multiple rings

Dedicated Equipment

For batches around 20 litres, you’ll need:

• A 30-litre kettle minimum
• Appropriate heat source
• Adequate cooling solution

The BIAB Process

1. Water Preparation (The Liquor)

Begin by heating your brewing water (known as liquor in brewing terms) to approximately 70-74°C. This temperature will drop to your target mash temperature (usually around 65-68°C) when you add your room-temperature grains.

2. The Mash

• Line your pot with the brewing bag
• Add your crushed grains
• Maintain temperature for 60 minutes
• Stir occasionally to ensure even temperature distribution

Temperature Management Tips

• Insulate your pot with sleeping bags or duvets to maintain temperature
• If needed, apply gentle heat, but be careful of the bag touching the heat source
• Consider recirculating the wort by gently scooping from the bottom and pouring over the top

3. Removing the Grain

• Carefully lift the bag out of the pot
• Allow to drain naturally into a clean bucket
• Return the drained liquid to your kettle
• No need to squeeze the bag for simple brewing

4. The Boil

• Bring your wort to a boil with the lid off
• Add hops according to your recipe
• Watch carefully for boil-overs, especially at the start
• Maintain a rolling boil for the specified time (usually 60 minutes)

Boil Management Tips

• Remove the lid once boiling begins
• Use a spray bottle with clean water to control foam
• Add hops gradually to prevent boil-overs
• Stir occasionally to prevent scorching

5. Cooling and Fermentation

Several cooling methods are available:

• Overnight cooling in a sanitised fermenter
• Ice bath cooling
• Immersion chiller
• Plate chiller

Remember that once the wort is cool, sanitisation becomes crucial. Any equipment that touches the cool wort must be thoroughly sanitised to prevent contamination.

Finding and Using Recipes

You can source recipes from several places:

• Our recipe generator on the website
• Our extensive recipe collection
• Homebrewing books (available in our shop)
• Online brewing communities

When choosing recipes, ensure they’re scaled appropriately for your setup. Our recipe calculator can help adjust recipes to your specific batch size.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Temperature Control

• Use insulation to maintain mash temperature
• Monitor regularly with an accurate thermometer
• Consider gentle reheating if necessary

Clarity Issues

• Use a fine crush on your grain
• Allow the bag to drain naturally
• Consider using brewing finings
• Ensure a good cold break when cooling

Efficiency Concerns

• Request a fine crush when ordering grain
• Ensure good temperature control during the mash
• Stir the mash occasionally

Next Steps

Once you’ve mastered basic BIAB brewing, consider:

• Experimenting with different recipes
• Adding temperature control methods
• Exploring water chemistry
• Upgrading to larger batch sizes

For more advanced brewing techniques and tips, check out our brewing guides section or explore our complete range of brewing equipment.

Remember, brewing is both a science and an art. While this guide provides the foundation, don’t be afraid to experiment and develop your own techniques as you gain experience. The BIAB method offers an excellent balance of simplicity and control, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced brewers looking for a straightforward brewing process.