I brewed an all grain batch under 4 hours. Started at 9:10 AM and finished up at 12:59 PM. Just my own personal goal, i know some folks consider it "therapy" when brewing and it doesn't it matter how long it takes, but I am not one of those persons. Perfect day outside in the LA area. Some details: 3.5 gal batch 60 min mash no sparge method 60 min boil cooled wort to 60 F in 30 min
Wow, I hope I can become that efficient. I have 3 batches under my belt and must bow to your timeline. My first batch literally took all day long (about 12 hrs). Second batch was about 50% less. 3rd batch was my first all-grain and took about 8 hours. I hope batch 4 takes less time. Kudos. How many batches to be that efficient?
My all grain 5.5 gal batches average 4-5 hours. You just have to be organized and do prep work ahead of your brew day. Cheers!
Not sparging does save a boatload of time ... especially compared to sparging on the fly. What about the time spent cleaning and stowing equipment? My brew day is more than mashing ... sparging ... boiling ... chilling ... and pitching. It t'ain't over till it's all clean and buttoned up.
My all grain 3v 11.25 gallon batches take 5 - 8 hours (including set up and clean up) depending on what style I'm making and what techniques it may require (45 - 90 minute mash, 60 - 120 minute boil, 0 - 45 minute hopstand, etc). The time of year (low ambient temps in the winter slow down the heat up process, hot ground water in the summer requires extra steps / time for chilling) also comes into play. When I used to do no sparge 5.65 gal BIAB batches, 4-5 hours was normal. Day before prep work doesn't speed my brew day up at all really, but it does allow me to relax more during the brew day / not have to do as much constant multitasking to get things done within the same amount of time.
Best thing I can tell you is "keep busy". While you are waiting for things to happen (mashing, coming to a boil, cooling wort, etc) you need to be either cleaning, sanitizing, putting things away, or bringing things out.
