Foreigner

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It can be frustrating. But the possible frustration leads to a bigger smile of satisfaction when it works.

You can make some awesome beers with extract or partial mash tho, so good luck to you with whatever you choose.

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Beerrific

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So, I am new to AG too, but I thought I might throw something out that could help...

Do you make any corrections for pH?
I know some people see >10% increase in efficiency when they get that straight. I have done one AG and used Five Stars pH5.2, my efficiency came out to 68%, but other things went kind of wrong.

Also, I buy from Austin Homebrew. I think their crush is OK, I guess it could be finer but it is not as bad as some pictures I have seen posted here.

As far as batch sparging, I think you want to drain as fast as possible, no need to wait around and let the temp drop. When you fly sparge you do have to go slower.

Willsellout

Recipes 

I actually used the 5 star as well on this batch. I honestly think the crush isn't fine enough for my system. Also I need to convert my 10 gallon cooler, because the 5 gallon ran out of space today...man it was a rough brew day.

OK, so I will order ingredients for a simple APA. 90% 2 row and what else? Anyone have a tasty recipe? I'm think some Summit and Amarillo hops?


Dan

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Willsellout

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OK so I boiled for another hour, cooled and transferred to primary. Wound up with just under 5 gallons and an OG of 1.047. I ran out of O2 while aerating...par for the course today I suppose.
I honestly didn't think a Hefe was that complicated, but after doing the multi step...I am thinking differently. Especially with my 5 gallon cooler, I would have had better luck with the 10 gal.



Dan

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EdWort

Recipes 

Before you give up, give my Haus Pale Ale a try. Brain Dead Simple with dry yeast and a single infusion.

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EdWort

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Biermann

Recipes 

Yeah, don't give up yet. . . My last several batches have been single infusion, and there are some pretty nice dry strains out there now--- I call these confidence-building batches.

My .02 worth on this-- It took me awhile to really dial in my system. In the meanwhile, I had a lot of frustrations, effeciency problems, etc. Trouble shoot your methods, figure out your dead spaces, your water volumes, boil times, and ALWAYS do a LOONNNNNG sparge (the longer the better), and I think you'll find more satisfaction.

AG is not hard, but there's a learning curve that few can master after just 3 batches.

Good luck!

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david_42

Recipes 

I've been doing AG for years and still do PM for most of my batches. I save AG for recipes (like BRR) that have high levels of adjuncts, specialty grains or are just small. I know homebrewers that have brewed for decades & never gone to AG. I've mentioned the Collaborator project Widmer runs, at least one of this year's selection was an extract recipe. That's common.

This is supposed to be a fun hobby. Obsessing over AG isn't my idea of fun. If you get good results with PM, do it that way.

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Bobby_M

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I'll accept that maybe AG isn't for everyone but you owe it to yourself to give it a couple more tries. Forget the step mash.

I had a similar moment of distress when I hacked up a stout recipe (2nd all grain) and used too many unfermentables. I kegged it 3 months ago and still have 4.5 gallons in the keg. However, my first and third (IPA and Pilsner respectively) were totally drinkable and better than any extracts. Finally, the 4th was my favorite brew to date.. an American Amber. You just have to persist.

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FlyGuy

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Yes, I second this recommendation. I have done this brew twice now, and it is great. The more recent version was done with Amarillo hops instead of Cascade, and it is fantastic. I am (literally) working on a pint right now.

This is as simple and tasty a recipe as you will find!

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Ryanh1801

Recipes 

But the frustration is half the fun. I would do what makes it fun, if all grain isn't fun, then I see no reason to stick with it.