Brewhouse Efficiency Calculator

by
DC
Reviewed by: David Chen, Master Brewer Brewing Science Expert & Professional Consultant

Optimize your brewing process with our professional **brewhouse efficiency calculator**. Whether you are a homebrewer or a commercial pro, this tool helps you determine exactly how much extract you are pulling from your grain to improve consistency and recipe accuracy.

Brewhouse Efficiency Calculator

Brewhouse Efficiency Calculator Formula:

$$Efficiency (\%) = \frac{Volume \times (SG – 1) \times 1000}{Weight \times Potential} \times 100$$

Formula Source: Brewers Association, BeerSmith Archive

Variables Explained:

  • Grain Weight (W): The total dry weight of all grains used in the mash.
  • Grain Potential (P): The maximum sugar points available per pound per gallon (PPG). Standard 2-row is usually 36-38 PPG.
  • Wort Volume (V): The total volume of wort collected in the fermenter after cooling.
  • Measured Gravity (G): The specific gravity (SG) reading of the final wort (e.g., 1.052).

What is Brewhouse Efficiency?

Brewhouse efficiency is a percentage that represents how much of the potential sugar from your malt actually ends up in your fermenter. Unlike mash efficiency, which only measures the conversion in the tun, brewhouse efficiency accounts for losses throughout the entire process, including mash extraction, kettle trub, and transfer losses.

Achieving a high brewhouse efficiency (typically 70-85% for homebrewers) is less important than achieving a consistent efficiency. Consistency allows you to predict your alcohol content (ABV) and bitterness (IBU) accurately every time you brew.

How to Calculate Efficiency (Example):

  1. Identify your grain weight (e.g., 10 lbs).
  2. Find the potential of your grain (e.g., 37 PPG). Potential Points = $10 \times 37 = 370$.
  3. Measure your volume (e.g., 5.5 gallons) and SG (e.g., 1.050).
  4. Calculate actual points: $(1.050 – 1) \times 1000 \times 5.5 = 275$.
  5. Divide actual by potential: $(275 / 370) \times 100 = 74.3\%$.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What is a good brewhouse efficiency? Most homebrewers target between 70% and 75%. Commercial systems often reach 85% or higher due to superior sparging tech.

Why is my efficiency lower than expected? Common causes include a coarse grain crush, improper mash pH, or excessive wort loss in the kettle trub.

Does a high efficiency mean better beer? Not necessarily. Over-sparging to get every last bit of sugar can extract harsh tannins from grain husks.

Can I calculate efficiency using Plato? Yes, but this calculator uses Specific Gravity (SG) as it is the most common measurement for home hydrometers.

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