Brewhouse Efficiency Calculator - Brewer's Friend
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Brewhouse Efficiency Calculator

Reports beer mash extraction efficiency in percentage terms and points per pound per gallon (ppg). Useful for all grain beer brewers to calculate their actual efficiency at extracting sugars from the grain during the mash. Enter the amount of wort collected, the gravity measurement, and the grain bill.
Batch Data:
Units:
Efficiency For:
An all inclusive measure of efficiency, which counts all losses to the fermentor. This can be thought of as 'to the fermentor' efficiency. Hops absorption factors into this, and is reduced on the same equipment by ~1% in super hoppy beers.
Wort Volume: (Gallons) How much wort went into the fermentor.
Gravity Measurement: (input 1.xxx) adjust for temperature using this calculator. OG (measured after cooling, before pitching yeast).
Pounds Grain
Weight:
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Gravity at 100% Efficiency:
        
Gravity at 75% Efficiency:
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* Efficiency:
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Points / Pound / Gallon (ppg):
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* There are four main types of efficiency in the brewing world. 'Efficiency' alone could refer to any of these. Each type references a different point in the brewing process. This calculator can compute each of them, but it is up to you to provide the corresponding volume and gravity:
  • Conversion Efficiency - The percentage of total available sugars that were extracted from the grains inside the mash tun.
    • Volume - how much mash water was used (do not count grain absorption, sparge volume, or mash tun dead space).
    • Gravity - sample taken from first runnings or directly from mash. Be sure to mix wort prior to taking gravity sample.
  • Pre-Boil Efficiency - The percentage of total available sugars that made it into the kettle.
    • Volume - how much wort went into the kettle.
    • Gravity - measured before the boil (blend of all runnings).
  • Ending Kettle Efficiency - The percentage of total available sugars that made it to the end of the boil, before draining the kettle.
    • Volume - ending kettle volume (when cooled, before draining).
    • Gravity - OG (measured after cooling, before pitching yeast).
  • Brew House Efficiency - An all inclusive measure of efficiency, which counts all losses to the fermentor. This can be thought of as 'to the fermentor' efficiency. Hops absorption factors into this, and is reduced on the same equipment by ~1% in super hoppy beers.
    • Volume - how much wort went into the fermentor.
    • Gravity - OG (measured after cooling, before pitching yeast).
For detailed information on the topic of efficiency, check out the Braukaiser Wiki: Understanding Efficiency.

The grain drop down boxes have been updated to include sugars and extracts. Normally brew house efficiency applies to all grain batches, but if your grain bill includes sugars this calculator still works. Sugars and extracts (which are not mashed) are excluded from the efficiency result so it is not skewed.

This calculator is for approximation purposes. If you are using a grain not listed in the drop down please send us feedback.

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