One mash, two beers - Steeping

[cacmp]

Hi. My question is:

If I do a 10gal mash of say an English Bitter consisting of MO+C60+Amber.

Would it be ok to split that mash in two and add some steeped grains in just one of the worts?
Lets say I add some Chocolate + C120 to one batch making it into something like a Porter.

That way with only one 10gal mash I'll end up with two 5gal beers: an English Bitter and a Porter.

I know split batches are fairly common, but I haven't seen anything about adding steeped grain to just one batch.
Is it ok to do it? Is this a known technic?

 

[IslandLizard]

Yes, you certainly can do that!
Just steep those (dark) malts on the side, strain, sparge, then add that wort to your saved out wort intended for the dark batch.

I would steep them in either water or some 2nd (or 3rd) runnings, to prevent extreme high gravity when steeping.

 

[Soulshine2]

Hi. My question is:

If I do a 10gal mash of say an English Bitter consisting of MO+C60+Amber.

Would it be ok to split that mash in two and add some steeped grains in just one of the worts?
Lets say I add some Chocolate + C120 to one batch making it into something like a Porter.

That way with only one 10gal mash I'll end up with two 5gal beers: an English Bitter and a Porter.

I know split batches are fairly common, but I haven't seen anything about adding steeped grain to just one batch.
Is it ok to do it? Is this a known technic?

absolutely. its actually very efficient. you get 2 beers , same (basic) grain bill. you can then supplement each batch with a specialty malt (chocolate or maybe a little Crystal, maybe more fermentables and boost it up to a big Monk beer status !!) or just use different hops and yeast , you'll be amazed by what just changing those will make. Good luck !