Beer Brewing Guide - Step 2: Mashing
Reading time: 3 minutes
The mashing process is a central step in beer production in which malt and water are mixed to form a mash. The starch contained in the malt is converted into fermentable sugars in this step. These later serve as an energy source for the yeast, which uses them to produce energy, alcohol and carbon dioxide during fermentation.
Step 1: Malt selection and preparation
Before the mashing process can begin, careful selection and preparation of the malt is crucial.
If you have not yet familiarised yourself with the raw materials, you can also order ready-made malt packs with great recipes here.
Malt can be made from different types of grain such as barley, wheat, rye or oats. The malt grains are soaked, germinated, kilned and crushed in the brewery. The mill crushes the malt into a grist of coarse flour and husks (this is the husk of the grain, which is important for the lautering process) and is then mashed.
Also read our article on grinding oft he malt
Step 2: Mashing in
The actual mashing process begins with mashing in, in which the milled malt and water are mixed at a certain temperature in a mash tun. The mixture of malt and water is known as the mash. Mashing should take place at temperatures above 60°C so that the protein breakdown is not too strong, which would otherwise lead to foamless beers.
Step 3: The resting times
During this resting phase, the enzymes in the malt have the opportunity to break down the starch contained in the malt grains into different types of sugar, especially maltose. This step is crucial as it influences the flavour and sugar composition of the final beer.
Mashing is followed by the resting times, which last 30 to 60 minutes depending on the recipe. Most resting programmes include a maltose rest and a saccharification rest. During the maltose rest, the β-amylases work at 60-65 °C (due to the harvest, the optimum temperature is currently 64 °C) to convert starch into maltose. Maltose forms the majority of fermentable sugars for the yeast and its content determines the final degree of fermentation of the beer. The resting time here is typically between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on the beer style. Shorter rests lead to sweeter beers, longer ones to drier, more alcoholic beers. During the saccharification rest, the α-amylase works optimally in the temperature range of 70-75 °C. This is where the remaining starch is broken down and longer-chain sugar molecules, known as dextrins, are formed. These are not metabolised by the yeast and remain in the finished beer, giving the beer residual sweetness and a full flavour.
Step 4: Temperature control
Temperature control is very important during the resting period. If the mash becomes too hot or too cold, this can affect enzyme activity and lead to undesirable results.
Step 5: Ending the mashing process
After the resting time is complete, the mash is subjected to a one last step before lautering. At a temperature of 75-78°C the last components of the starch are enzymatically released from the spent grains to reduce the viscosity of the mash, which facilitates the lautering process.
Step 6: Checking the original gravity
The original wort is measured to check the dissolved sugar during the mashing process. This value essentially indicates how much sugar has been extracted from the malt and is crucial for determining the alcohol content of the beer. An initial measurement of the original gravity at this point provides an indicator of how much water can be added to achieve the target original gravity for the planned beer.
The brewer usually aims for a high malt yield and maximum utilisation of his kettle, which he can only determine by measuring the original gravity.
By keeping a detailed brewing log with exact quantities of malt and water and by taking measurements, the brewer can calculate his yield and determine the quantity of malt and water for the desired target original gravity in future.
Find out more about measuring original gravity here.
Final remarks
The mashing process is a central step in beer production in which malt and water are converted into a mash to produce sugar. This sugar serves as a food source for the yeast during fermentation and has a significant impact on the flavour and quality of the beer. Careful control of temperature, resting time and wort yield monitoring are crucial to producing a high quality beer. With experience and dedication, brewers can master the mashing process and create unique beers that delight the palate. The mashing process is therefore the first step on the way to a great beer.
| EasyBrew Stainless Stell Brewing kettle 36L with discharge tap | Weck / Braumarkt cooker | EasyBrew SB 30P Brewing System | Grainfather G40 Brewing System | Speidel Braumeister Brewing System Plus 20L |
Digital Temperature controll | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Timer & Temperature settings | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Automatic stirring /Circulation | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Integrated Lautering | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Recipe automation | X | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Pre saved recipes | X | X | X | ✓ | ✓ |
PID-Heating control | X | X | X | ✓ | ✓ |
Cooling jacket | X | X | X | X | ✓ |
Possibility to ferment | X | X | X | X | ✓ |
Size (Hx⌀) | 38cmx35,5cm | 35cmx30cm | 79cmx40cm | 72,5cmx55,5cm | 60cmx40cm |
Cleaning | By hand | By hand | Cleaning solution + pump | Cleaning solution + pump | Cleaning program |
Price | 124,95€ | 199,95€ | 495€ | 1.349€ | 2.295€ |
Braumarkt Beer Brewing Guide
Easybrew Brewkettle 36 liter with tap
€169.95*
36 liter brew kettle with an extra thick bottom suitable for brewing 20 to 25 liters of beer. High quality.
Specifications:
304 grade stainless steel/INOX
Brushed stainless steel look
12 liter capacity
Sturdy Tri-clad bottom
Sturdy handles with silicone coating.
Stainless steel ball valve with hose barb
Laser engraved graduation in liters on the inside of the pan.
Diemensions:
Inner dimensions kettle: D 35.5 cm, H 38 cm
Hosebarb: 1/2" Will fit hose size 12x17mm
Our Easybrew brewing kettles are in principle suitable for induction cooktops. Some cooktops however may not offer an advanced temperature control during mashing. Please use an induction cooktop of which the heating unit matches the diameter of your brewing kettle.
Available
Weck W25A Thermostat & Time Clock & Tap
€199.95*
Type W25A canning kettle
Adjustable thermostat incl. timer + tap
220 volt, 1800 Watt.
The device has a pilot light and a special position for dejuicing (juice inlay sold separately)
Special position for dejuicing (juice inlay sold separately)
Venerable Stainless steel, with flat bottom
Diameter: 35 cm
Height 30 cm.
Content: 30 ltr. (can contain 14 weck jars of 1 ltr, or 21 weck jars of 0.5 ltr)
Supplied complete with inlay roster.
The stainless steel models have been set to 1800 Watt element to prevent local overheating at the bottom of the kettle.
1 year warranty
Dutch user manual
Note: If the thermostat Weck boiler is put into "kochen/entsaften" position, all the water in the kettle will evaporate. That is because you then turn off the on/off control of the thermostat. The light will stay on continuously . This position is meant for using the -separately available- dejuice inlay. In this position the on/off switch will not be working! This Weck kettle is intended for household use.
Attention! In the accompanying instructions it is clearly stated that the water in the canning kettle needs cooling after use before the kettle is emptied. If you fail to do this, there will be damage to the electronics and your warranty will be dropped (because of incorrect use)! Also, the legs of your wire grid will melt.
Not Available
Tip
Grainfather G40 Brewkettle
€1,395.00*
The Grainfather G40 brewing system has a bigger capacity and better connectivity. Produce up to 40L (11 US Gal) of beer from one brew. Connect your mobile device to the smart controller with built-in wireless control via the Grainfather App, for step-by-step brewing and access to 1000s of recipes.
Features:
Sleek 304 grade stainless steel body
Heats wort evenly with large, surface mounted heating elements
Connect your mobile device to the smart wireless controller via the Grainfather App and manage your brew remotely
Conical base for maximum wort transfer
Efficient and sanitary brew transfer with the counterflow wort chiller
PID heating control for accurate temperature management during mashing
Quick and easy cleaning with CIP (clean in place) capability
Integrated sight glass for easy volume reading
Rolled edge mash plate and large hop filter to reduce blockages
3-year warranty
Specifications:
BATCH VOLUME: 10-40L
GRAIN BILL: 3-12kg
WiFi control
Power: 3300W, 230V
Whats included:
Grainfather G40
Wi-Fi controller
Counterflow wort chiller
Glass lid
Lifting bar
Grain basket
Recirculation hose
Grain plate
Hop filter
Fittings
Built-in pump
Available
Easybrew SB30T All-in-one Brewkettle Next Gen
€449.00*
The new EasyBrew SB30T All-in-one Brewing Kettle is here! With enhanced features such as a touchscreen, an adjustable circulation tube, new instructions in 3 languages and the option to distill!Specifications
•
30 litre capacity
•
304 stainless steel (kettle & malt pipe)• Attachment for distiller • Seperatly mounted sight glass• 9 programmable mash programmes • Touch screen • Built-in magnetic circulation pump• Adjustable alarm function• Adjustable temperature control (0.5°C steps) • Tempered glass lid • Adjustable amperage up to 2500 watts• 3 year guarantee
• Dutch, German and English manual
Included in delivery • Easybrew SB30T All-in-one Brewing Kettle Next Gen • Malt pipe with detachable handle• 2 sparge plates• Adjustable overflow pipe with various attachments• Cam-Lock circulation tube• Mash filter "Bazooka"• Immersion tube for circulation pump • Elbow for circulation pump • Tempered glass lid Chillercoil• Operating instructions in 3 languages
Available
Speidel Braumeister 20L PLUS
€2,295.00*
Now even newer: like the original, but better. That’s the #Braumeister PLUS with new brewing control unit and with the known welded-on double jacket for cooling.
The new automatic control system brews with your own individual recipes and guides you through the brewing process. Recipes and software updates can be synced automaticly with the integrated wifi. The time and temperature are precisely maintained through all brewing phases (temp sensor in the center rod in the middle of the malt). In contrast to the cumbersome equipment of some other hobby brewers, the Braumeister does not need to be stirred all the time. Thanks to the patented malt pipe technology, the wort is circulated gently and conveniently. Nothing can burn on and nothing needs to be racked during the brewing phases. This way brewing more complex beers is easier than ever before. The #Braumeister PLUS is available with a capacity of 20 or 50 litres. For emptying the waste water there is an additional outlet tap mounted to the tank bottom, which makes cleaning remarkably easy.
features
New control system with touch screen
integrated brewing guide
Wifi for software updates and sync of recipes
Made of stainless steel
Cooling jacket for easy and hygienic cooling with water
Quantity: 20 l of finished beer (normal beer) = approx. 23 l of wort
Max. malt quantity 6 kg
Additional outlet valve in the bottom
Whether you prefer wheat beer, Maerzen or Altbier: all kinds of beers can be brewed with the Braumeister. You will certainly taste the difference in quality between your own beer and indistinguishable, mass-produced beers. But be careful: Anyone who has ever got the taste, will care no more for commercial brews that all taste the same. After this you won't want to do without natural brewing without pasteurizing, good ingredients and leaving out chemical additives.
few Available