BIAB vs Gravity vs HERMS @ ANHC2010

[Bobba]

I was lucky enough to be at the Australian national homebrew conference last month, and one of the sessions was dedicated to comparing the three different techniques. Blind tasting, of a brew from each of them, using the same ingredients, same water, brewed at the same location, same fermentation conditions, 200 homebrewers tasters.....
BIAB came out top, just, as the overall favourite. Followed almost equally by gravity brew (batch sparge), and then a long way behind was HERMS (which was a hint more grainy in taste). The results were something like 42%:42%:15%
There really wasnt much in it at all, just subtle differences, mainly in mouth feel and maltiness.
The efficiencies were also very similar in fact also, which was very surprising (sorry cant remember the numbers). The BIAB used a no-sparge method, just a long drip dry

[EoinMag]

Interesting results. The whole vs. thing bothers me, it's not a competition, just a way to make beer. It is reassuring with regard to criticism of the method as producing substandard beer though.

[Bobba]

Interesting results. The whole vs. thing bothers me, it's not a competition, just a way to make beer. It is reassuring with regard to criticism of the method as producing substandard beer though.

Oh for sure. I just thought it was interesting as BIAB has always been extremely controversial with the traditionalists.....but obviously appears to produce beers of at least equal quality to the more established (and commercial) brewing techniques

[Twistedfinger]

Nice to hear, as someone who is looking to go AG at some point and was wondering if there was any real difference between methods with regard to quality this survey has made up my mind and saved me having to buy an expensive set up.

[mysterio]

Interesting there was a loss of quality in the HERMS sample.

[Bobba]

Interesting there was a loss of quality in the HERMS sample.

I know, pretty wacky. Although, there was a distinct faction that definitely preferred the HERMS sample - so also it comes down to personal preference.

Nice to hear, as someone who is looking to go AG at some point and was wondering if there was any real difference between methods with regard to quality this survey has made up my mind and saved me having to buy an expensive set up.

For sure, it's a very positive take home message