Suggestions as you switch to All Grain.
Posted 07-23-2008 at 05:23 AM by Germey
This started out as a comment on Revvy's blog here, but I decided it was enough of a stand alone to make it my first blog attempt. Revvy's entry is worth a read (as are most of his purposeful writings) so click that link too.
I have not experienced a "bad" batch since going AG. That said, I am having a "conversion period" as I get used to it.
To put it in context, I brewed extract with grains and partial mashes in a vacuum for about 10 years until I figured out that there were local clubs and then, shortly after, a vast online community dedicated to homebrewing. In that time, I fine tuned many recipes that certain people have come to expect from me. A few months after joining HBT, I decided it would be a wise thing for me to go all grain. My motivation was to be able to do 10 gallons of beer for about the same, or less, money than I was currently doing 5. I was having a hard time sharing as much as I wanted, while still drinking like the lush I am.
Anyway, I would like to warn other converts that the process is not as straightforward as you may think.
My first 10 gallon AG batch was supposed to me my Alt recipe. That day was plagued with so many problems that I initially named the beer "Cursed Brown Beer with German Hops" It actually came out great and won a ribbon at Del Mar in experimental beer as "German Chocolate Stout". The next batch (my most requested), Irish Honey Red, was another learning experience. It is taking a while to come together, and will not be the same as my target profile, but it is still pretty good.
I guess the point is sort of the same as Revvy. No process is inherently better than the other, they all take their own experimentation and optimization period. If you are well established doing PMs or steeping, and have no strong reason to switch, then don't.
I think the new bit of advice I'd like to give is this. If you are new and think you could go AG sooner than later, do it. If you are well established in steeping/ PMs and determined to go AG then you might want to start with some well established AG recipes or expect some adjustment batches of your own.
Cheers,
Jeremy
I have not experienced a "bad" batch since going AG. That said, I am having a "conversion period" as I get used to it.
To put it in context, I brewed extract with grains and partial mashes in a vacuum for about 10 years until I figured out that there were local clubs and then, shortly after, a vast online community dedicated to homebrewing. In that time, I fine tuned many recipes that certain people have come to expect from me. A few months after joining HBT, I decided it would be a wise thing for me to go all grain. My motivation was to be able to do 10 gallons of beer for about the same, or less, money than I was currently doing 5. I was having a hard time sharing as much as I wanted, while still drinking like the lush I am.
Anyway, I would like to warn other converts that the process is not as straightforward as you may think.
My first 10 gallon AG batch was supposed to me my Alt recipe. That day was plagued with so many problems that I initially named the beer "Cursed Brown Beer with German Hops" It actually came out great and won a ribbon at Del Mar in experimental beer as "German Chocolate Stout". The next batch (my most requested), Irish Honey Red, was another learning experience. It is taking a while to come together, and will not be the same as my target profile, but it is still pretty good.
I guess the point is sort of the same as Revvy. No process is inherently better than the other, they all take their own experimentation and optimization period. If you are well established doing PMs or steeping, and have no strong reason to switch, then don't.
I think the new bit of advice I'd like to give is this. If you are new and think you could go AG sooner than later, do it. If you are well established in steeping/ PMs and determined to go AG then you might want to start with some well established AG recipes or expect some adjustment batches of your own.
Cheers,
Jeremy
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- Suggestions as you switch to All Grain. (07-23-2008)
