I’m thinking of scaling down. When I started brewing, everything was 5 gallons. After having made some terrible beers over my time, and with so many options I want to try out and compare, I was thinking of scaling down. For example, if I wanna compare yeasts, maybe I make a SMASH beer but 2x1 gal. Use yeast A in the 1st gal and yeast B in the 2nd gal.
Also, I enjoy the act of brewing, but I only drink 1 beer a day, so that takes me 1.5 months to get thru 5gal a batch.
Has anyone scaled down? Did anything change or surprise you?
I’ve been doing comparison batches, like you describe. It’s helped me to really learn what the yeasts themselves contribute. I prefer starting in a 6 or 7 gal, and by the time one is racking it gets down to 5-6 gal. I’ve done smaller batches, but really it’s nearly the same amount of work to make a batch, so it’s more time efficient to make a larger batch. I share with friends, so it goes fast enough. Tho’ the trick is to make more than you consume so there is plenty to age for longer periods. Most brews will develop a more complex and smoother flavor profile over time.