Getting back to the OP's original question (I just found this thread), I totally agree. I've since gone to 1 and 2 gal batches. If I've really nailed a beer, then perhaps a 3 gal batch. I wish I never bought my 5 gal equipment.
Why?
I don't know, maybe I'm anti-social, but I simply don't have THAT many friends to help me consume 600 beers every year.
I mean, with the thousands of recipes and styles there are to explore, how can you NOT brew at least one batch per month? (Time permitting). So this is where I simply DO NOT get why a 5 gallon batch is so popular!
Twelve 5 gal batches per year = 600 beers (at least). That's 12 beers per week. Maybe this is where my problem lays- I drink less than that. There, I SAID IT! Personally, if I drink more than 4-5 beers per week, I definitely put on the weight. I've already proven that! So what to do with the other 7 beers?
Yeah of course I've got friends to share with, but they're sort of like me, and can't handle being given beers every week from me and their other friends (and that's when my beers are worth sharing), plus...
I haven't even mentioned that (I assume) we all consume beers other than our own product! Don't tell me you go down the craft beer isle lately (that has thankfully been expanding) without grabbing this and grabbing that. Plus we all have fellow brewers that give US their brew. All those extra bottles ALSO eat into my weekly consumption "quota"!
So Again, I'm mystified at what everyone else does with the massive quantity of beer produced by multiple 5 gallon batches (i.e., 10-12 batches a year). And if brewing less, then why? I mean, as I mentioned earlier, there are so many recipes and own creations to try, why brew so few batches (unless of course time available for brewing is a factor in your life - I can see that).
So yes, I'm a huge proponent of small batches. I usually brew 1 gal batches, till I find one I really like, then will step-up the size next time. Or if I really expect I'll like a batch, I'll pull out my trusty Mr. beer 2 gal fermenter!
As such, I really appreciate the "Scale Recipe Size" function in the BeerSmith software - it's been a huge benefit for me.