Kevin Dean
Well-Known Member
I've got a few extract brews under my belt and while I enjoy it it feels like making kool-aid compared to making fresh squeezed lemonade.
My extract brews haven't been too bad, so I'm not moving to AG for flavour (though I know it will improve). I've moving primarily because brewing is a hobby that is designed to kill time and be fun for me - AG taking longer and being more involved gives me that.
In addition, once I begin buying things in bulk, AG will be cheaper which isn't exactly a killer for me, but it's a nice benefit. Also, it allows me to aquire equipment that SWMBO can justify as being a savings in the long run. (Next up, Barley Crusher!)
I DON'T have a wort chiller in the traditional sense, but I have a method that is sanitary and times rival those of immersion chillers from what I read. I'm ordering kits from Austin Home Brew with milled grain. I've got my cooler to convert into a MLT, got a large kettle (9 gallon), a propane burner, all the stuff I need for extract brewing (Spoons, fermenters, hydrometer, grain bag yadda yadda).
I'm planning on purchasing a digital thermometer that I can use to monitor mash tems without opening the lid but I don't yet have that. What equipment do you guys see immediately needed for me?
I've read Palmer's How To Brew (online) several times and while I understand the basics, the process and the methodology, I tend to get lost with some of the specifics. I can, however, say that the same was true for Palmer's information on extract brewing. I plan on learning the intricacies later to make better beer but since I've not done an AG batch I can't identify what is VITAL to making beer and what is needed to make GOOD beer. What advice can you guys offer for an AG newbie?
My extract brews haven't been too bad, so I'm not moving to AG for flavour (though I know it will improve). I've moving primarily because brewing is a hobby that is designed to kill time and be fun for me - AG taking longer and being more involved gives me that.
In addition, once I begin buying things in bulk, AG will be cheaper which isn't exactly a killer for me, but it's a nice benefit. Also, it allows me to aquire equipment that SWMBO can justify as being a savings in the long run. (Next up, Barley Crusher!)
I DON'T have a wort chiller in the traditional sense, but I have a method that is sanitary and times rival those of immersion chillers from what I read. I'm ordering kits from Austin Home Brew with milled grain. I've got my cooler to convert into a MLT, got a large kettle (9 gallon), a propane burner, all the stuff I need for extract brewing (Spoons, fermenters, hydrometer, grain bag yadda yadda).
I'm planning on purchasing a digital thermometer that I can use to monitor mash tems without opening the lid but I don't yet have that. What equipment do you guys see immediately needed for me?
I've read Palmer's How To Brew (online) several times and while I understand the basics, the process and the methodology, I tend to get lost with some of the specifics. I can, however, say that the same was true for Palmer's information on extract brewing. I plan on learning the intricacies later to make better beer but since I've not done an AG batch I can't identify what is VITAL to making beer and what is needed to make GOOD beer. What advice can you guys offer for an AG newbie?