mitch171
Well-Known Member
I could not disagree more. Just because you want everyone to get along doesn't mean that there's not a way that will produce better, more consistent beer every time. I could care less about personal preference, as that's up to each person, but what is ACTUALLY better is not really even debatable.
I have to agree with this for the most part but offer a alteration.
Everyone have their preferences, maybe saying AG is the most authentic/whole process/most control, would be a better way of describing it than best. As "best" is subjective. I would not even say that your personal preference is the "best."
AG may give you more ability to tune your brew into what you want. Or you may not have the time/resources/drive/skill to do so yourself. If you are not able to do so, or don't care to, then the beer will not be nearly as good as if you start with some consistency in your malt extract which has been produced on a mass basis under a highly controlled environment.
So I guess what I am saying is that "best" is up to personal ability and desire not the process. Authenticity and ability to customize may be gained in AG but would be lost for someone that wants a less complicated brew day.
For me AG is not really any more difficult than extract brewing. I only have to heat water one more time and have a cooler. I also don't take AG as seriously as some people do and my beer comes out fine. I also can brew outside so the extra mess and larger boiling needs are not a problem and do not require extra work to accomplish than extract.
I also have made wine since I was ~12 and not that is 14 years the process again is less complicated than most people make it and the wine comes out as good or better than most midrange priced wine on the market. Any process can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. The "best" method is up to the user. The authentic way is according to history and the most control will be that which uses the most whole products.
There could be an argument that we should all malt our own grain and grow our own hops so that we have control over the exact properties of all our ingredients...
I for one have started growing my own hops, do I brew better than you if you don't do the same? No right now it is thought that buying pre-grown/packaged hops is better because the alpha content is known. Is this not also true with malt extract?
In the end it is what you enjoy, it is a hobby. It is the level of control, effort, equipment, time and process you want to put into it.
There is only a best way that you can choose to do your chosen process. And there is always another way you could do it that will lead to alternant results.