Bottled my 1st Batch Yesterday

It's an English Nut Brown kit from my LHBS using Liquid Malt Extract (LME).

Thanks to all you guys here for making this a pleasant experience. I love the stickies & the search feature. Every question I even think about asking has been asked already more times than I can count.

I'm on my 3rd batch & I'm going all grain. The gal at the LHBS said the kits are like the Hamburger Helper of beer brewing. Great to start, but I should move on as quickly as possible. I should use recipes I find online (here) & brew even fresher tasting beer by using all grain. Then she tried to sell me a lauter tun. Another time the owner of the LHBS said now I was running a Triathlon when I used to be just walking.

I have yet to taste anything.

I love the fact that you guys are here to help without trying to sell me anything! I can trust your advise. :rockin: With you as my coach, I'm already a winner!

 

Sounds like you have been enjoying the hobby/addiction. Remember, there is nothing wrong with the extract if you like doing things that way. I have peaked into all grain, but have not jumped in just yet as I don't want the process to take any more time for the brewing at this juncture. Nothing wrong with either route, as long as you enjoy the trip!

 

I never went to AG, the process and time is a pain. I just don't enjoy the process.

"Great to start, but I should move on as quickly as possible" means buy my equipment as soon as possible.

You can make great extract brews and move beyond kits or really expand your brewing without going all grain.
steeping, DME, more styles, different aging, etc. yeast culturings, side-by-side tests of known recipes with one change and a control batch. Lots of room to expand without leaping to AG.
A few years ago I started experimenting with rice extract/solids and cold fermenting and managed to make batches that even anti-beersnobs think is as good as Budmillcoors.
it was a long experiment to make beer that bad, but a fun ride.

 

I jumped to all grain after my second extract batch. I love it. The process does take more time, about two hours more. The thing is, i'm creating something from the beginning, it is all me. When I poor a glass I know what the grain looked liked before I crushed it, what it smelled like in the mash tun, knowing that the process has been handed down over the centuries. You can't beat that.

I understand the need for time, who doesn't need more of it, I simply don't care. The time is what makes it special for me.

Extract brewers good for you, I think anyone who takes the time craft a beer is good in my book.

Cheers

 

...I think anyone who takes the time craft a beer is good in my book.

Cheers[/QUOTE]

Well put! I agree that all that matters is that you enjoy doing it...

And the fact that you get beer at the end of it is pretty cool too :rockin:

 

Just do what you feel comfortable with now. Good ales can be made with extract,once you get a good process down. Then move up at your own pace,going as far as you like.
It did sound like she was seeing dollar signes to me. I'd be wary of a shop with that kind of advice. There are plenty of recipes on here in the recipe forum for all brewing styles. A style of beer for anyone's taste.

 

Cool,

I'm taking it slow. One step at a time. I love DIY projects & I've with your help I've built a Lauter Tun & a Stir Plate from goodies collecting dust around the house.

Next is a Keezer with a simple collar, then a fermentation chamber.

The big thing holding me back before I do anything & spend any $$$$$ is..................................... I haven't tasted anything yet. I'm banking on what you tell me. I have a smoker & have tasted MY meat vs. the stuff you can buy in the store.

If brewing my own is like that........................... it will be FANTASTIC!

 

...made me tear up a bit

 

Personally I would prefer using my money to move into kegging versus moving to all grain......But that's just me.....

NRS