Should I dilute or not dilute my wort?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by sirspartacus, Jan 18, 2015.

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  1. sirspartacus

    sirspartacus Initiate (0) Jan 18, 2015 Ohio

    I recently started brewing my own beer at home and the kits I've been using are for 5 gallons of beer. I make my wort with usually 3-4 gallons of water and the recipe says after it cools down bring it up to 5 gallons. I was just curious as to what would happen if i didn't bring it up to 5 gallons and left it around 3-4 gallons or if i brought it up to like 6 gallons. How would this affect the outcome of the beer?
     
  2. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    The ingredients of your recipe are written in proportions for a 5-gallon batch, so if you don't add water after the boil to get to that level, then you'll have a concentrated beer that is higher in alcohol. It's difficult to predict the effect on the taste, but it could be a tasty imperial version of your beer. Just the opposite happens if you put in too much water...... you'll have a watery beer that is lower in alcohol.

    It's normal to brew the 3-4 gallons of liquid like you did and then add some top-off water. I do this and use my water to help cool the wort quickly before pitching the yeast. The top-off water is boiled and then cooled by some brewers to add extra sanitation, and some will use straight tap water (or bottled water). Whichever you choose may depend mostly on how much chlorine is in your water. You need to get rid of it.
     
  3. jcojr72

    jcojr72 Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2009 Massachusetts

    In general terms, you beer will be proportionally stronger or weaker if you deviate from the intended volume. For instance, if the intended recipe is for 5 gallons and you leave it with with 4 gallons your beer will have about 25% higher starting gravity and therefore about 25% more alcohol in the finished beer. This is not necessarily an issue, it will still be beer, but the recipe was likely developed with a certain balance between ABV, IBU, etc, and you will be changing that intended balance.
     
  4. jcojr72

    jcojr72 Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2009 Massachusetts

    Beat me to it.
     
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