All Grain vs. Extract Brewing?

Boyd · 08-03-2010, 03:44 PM

I'm new to home brewing and have only done 2 batches, both extract (IPA, smoked porter with basil). I'm wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are to going All grain?

Thanks,
Boyd

**PintOfBitter** · 08-03-2010, 04:13 PM

This topic has been discussed hundreds of times (try searching and you'll see what I mean) but in a nutshell, AG gives you much more flexibility at the cost of larger equipment investment and longer brew days.

Germelli1 · 08-03-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PintOfBitter

This topic has been discussed hundreds of times (try searching and you'll see what I mean) but in a nutshell, AG gives you much more flexibility at the cost of larger equipment investment and longer brew days.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/how-much-better-all-grain-vs-extract-brewing-147032/

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/noob-extract-vs-partial-vs-all-grain-163249/

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/extract-taste-vs-all-grain-171682/

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/all-grain-brewing-vs-extract-brewing-35136/

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/full-boil-extract-vs-all-grain-171160/

Those are some relevant hits off of the first page of a search. You can also scroll down to the bottom of this thread and see five related threads. Do some reading on the processes, techniques, end products, etc and come back with any specific questions you still have.

Good luck!

permo · 08-03-2010, 06:40 PM

Moved to all grain after about 4 extract batches, IMO, extract brewing isn't really all that much brewing to me, it is more like boiling and fermenting.

Regardless, you have such improved options and control with all grain...for example you can use vienna and munich...which are useless in a steep. You can manipulate mash thickness and temperature..etc.etc..etc...

**Shooter** · 08-03-2010, 06:44 PM

The advantage of moving to all-grain is that you will now be one of the "cool" brewers. The disadvantage is that the need to be cool will soon filter over to other areas of your life and you'll be spending most of your time buying lift kits for your trucks, larger caliber firearms and searching for that trophy wife so you can brag to your friends. All of that is going to leave you LESS time for brewing!

**PintOfBitter** · 08-03-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shooter

The advantage of moving to all-grain is that you will now be one of the "cool" brewers. The disadvantage is that the need to be cool will soon filter over to other areas of your life and you'll be spending most of your time buying lift kits for your trucks, larger caliber firearms and searching for that trophy wife so you can brag to your friends. All of that is going to leave you LESS time for brewing!

He's right. I just got some new racing stickers and an exhaust resonator for my Neon. Where will it end?!

seriously though, there are some very real advantages to both. I haven't touched extract since going AG just because it's expensive, but I really miss the quick brew day. You'll find that when you start grain brewing, you start wanting to invest in a lot of equipment to help simplify and shorten your brew days.

Pivovar_Koucky · 08-03-2010, 10:25 PM

Also, I'm pretty sure that my all grain beers ferment out much dryer than extract beers. Some people don't care about that, but I like my beer dry.

**BargainFittings** · 08-04-2010, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pivovar_Koucky

Also, I'm pretty sure that my all grain beers ferment out much dryer than extract beers. Some people don't care about that, but I like my beer dry.

I'm curious if you did full boils. Have you tried doing late additions on extract brews?

I've found if I only boil 20% with the hops and put the rest in at flame out that my color stays in range and the beer will attenuate properly.

I don't do alot of extract but I tried that at some point and found it really helped the beer.

andyherrick · 08-04-2010, 03:50 AM

I moved to all grain after two batches of extract and two batches of partial mash. In my opinion, partial mash brewing produced good beer. When I went to all grain, it was a little more work and time, but it made me feel proud. I am two all grain batches in and I puff out my chest and think to myself that I am making beer just like a brewery would, only smaller batches.

Boyd · 08-04-2010, 03:06 PM

What extra equipment is needed for All Grain brewing?