All-Grain Brewing Vs. Extract Brewing

5gBrewer · 07-30-2007, 01:34 PM

Papazian makes some great points in his books about the pros & cons to both AG & E/SG Brewing, and even admits that AG is not the end-all-be-all of beer making techniques; E/SG can make an equal and sometimes better brew.

We all have our opinions on this one, so let 'em fly, but try to explain your responces to the poll.

5gB

anthrobe · 07-30-2007, 01:42 PM

I have done one all grain and mostly PM and extract. Depending on the time that I have to brew, I will do either or. Although I am still learning the AG stuff too

magno · 07-30-2007, 01:52 PM

Im just breaking into AG. I have done two extract only batches, plenty of extract with steeping grains and around 15 partial mashes.

I think from a recipe formulating standpoint AG wins hands down, also from the standpoint of saving money (after the initial equipment cost).

Extract comes out ahead for a nice easy learning curve, and for saving time on brew day.

Ive made some great beer, and some not so great beer with extract, and I imagine that will be the same with AG.

I voted all of the above, although I doubt I will ever do another extract only brew.

- magno

**the_bird** · 07-30-2007, 01:57 PM

Nothing wrong with extract, and lots of people are content making very good extract brews for years and years and years.

With that said, I have never ONCE heard anyone who "graduated" to AG brewing ever, ever say that they regretted it. I know some AG folks will continue to make an extract brew on occassion, but I don't know of anyone who has ever gone back to extract.

If you love making beer, you will LOVE doing AG, how much flexibility and control that you have in the process.

**david_42** · 07-30-2007, 01:59 PM

Mostly I do partial mash (which wasn't a choice). I'm most likely to do AG for a recipe that has a high percentage of specialty grains that require mashing.

East Mountain Brewer · 07-30-2007, 02:01 PM

All grain brewing just adds another dimension of control that is only needed for certain styles. The mash temp. knob on fermentability / attenuation is a big one for Belgian styles. I have not had an acceptable Saison made from extract. For typical American style ales though, there are lots of folks making them every bit as good with extract. As long as you have fresh extract, the possibilities are endless. In the long run, all grain is much cheaper but more time consuming and addictive. I guess I should get a penny back for my two cents but there you have it.
Cheers,
EMB

FlyGuy · 07-30-2007, 02:18 PM

To me, making beer is a lot like making food. I really enjoy cooking (and brewing!), and if I have the time, I really enjoy spending an evening in the kitchen doing either. Almost always, the results are worth it.

But if I am pressed for time, I will still cook instead of ordering take-out (gets expensive). But I will cut corners and use a lot of ready-to-go ingredients instead of making them myself. Almost as good, but not as satisfying.

To me, AG brewing is similar. I like making my own recipes or tweaking ones I find. I like the control I get to make exactly the beer I want. I also get great satisfaction out of making something from scratch. Plus, for me, the beer is far better, and far cheaper to make.

But if I am pressed for time, I will still do an extract batch. I just don't enjoy the process or the beer as much.

Buford · 07-30-2007, 02:48 PM

To me, doing AG is a lot of fun. It's all about the process from weighing out your grains, to crushing them, to doing the mash that I find interesting. I'm not doing it just to create a finished product.

**Lil' Sparky** · 07-30-2007, 03:08 PM

I've only ever brewed AG. It's fun, simple enough, and makes great beer. I've got no reason to ever brew w/ extract.

Got Trub? · 07-30-2007, 03:17 PM

Like other who have already posted I love the process of making AG. For me this is a fun hobby so I enjoy spending 4-5 hours making a batch of beer. That said if I'm in a hurry or an extract recipe catches my fancy I'll brew that too and am pleased with the results. For those of you just starting out in this hobby we are in the "Golden Age" with access to a huge variety of good quality ingredients for either extract or AG. Enjoy!