joecheberline
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- Oct 6, 2011
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I currently brew extracts. I'm lookin into all grain brewing. I just want to know what's preferred from people who have been brewing for some time.
ag or extract?
- Thread starter joecheberline
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NWMOBrewer
Well-Known Member
Personal Preference. I am making the switch now because I want to get more in depth brewing. You need to look at what type of all grain you want to consider, and money you have to devote to it. Also, look at time you have when brewing. Extract is much faster. You can begin getting all grain equipment one by one and using it while you continue making extracts or partial mash until you have everything you need. The only person who can make this decision is you. There are brewers who never go ag, there are ones who begin ag and stay there. As I said, I'm going to ag. I'm going to use BIAB
I started with extract, then extract with grains, tried some BIAB and now have done a few ag with a MT. As mentioned, it depends on what you want. Don't go ag if you want brewing to be fast; don't miss out on ag if you like the idea of experimenting to a much further extent.
I foresee continuing with all three methods depending on what I want out of the session. For example, I can brew a pretty tasty Old Speckled Hen using whichever method I choose.
If it is a matter of costs, you can pick up a turkey fryer, build your own immersion cooler and mash tun, for about $100 to $200 - not bad, considering you can save on ingredients.
A long rambling answer to say: It's all good!
B
I foresee continuing with all three methods depending on what I want out of the session. For example, I can brew a pretty tasty Old Speckled Hen using whichever method I choose.
If it is a matter of costs, you can pick up a turkey fryer, build your own immersion cooler and mash tun, for about $100 to $200 - not bad, considering you can save on ingredients.
A long rambling answer to say: It's all good!
B
It's not the how, that makes better beer, it's the who.
Read this, and go be the best brewer you can regardless of what ingredients and processes you use.
That's all that matters. It's not a better, it's not a -vs- argument, both excellent and crappy beer can be made either ag or extract, depending on the brewer.
Read this, and go be the best brewer you can regardless of what ingredients and processes you use.
That's all that matters. It's not a better, it's not a -vs- argument, both excellent and crappy beer can be made either ag or extract, depending on the brewer.
Sorry for this off topic message, but could you by any chance send me the recipes for old speckled hen? I've been looking for those for a while now =D
i was hesitant to get on here and start a thread that i don't think i ever want to go to all grain. i am perfectly happy with extract with steeping grains brews. especially with a little one, it seems to be the right time committment. i thought i was weird.
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rico567
Well-Known Member
I brewed extract w/ steeping grains for 18 months, then switched to AG 2.5 years ago. As to why, I can't pin down one reason I did it. Probably a combination of lower cost, being retired and having plenty of time to do AG, having more control over recipes, and......just because I felt I was ready to make that move. So, given my own situation, I'd have to conclude that you should look at all the variables you have to deal with, and make an informed decision. Sorry I can't make that a 'yes' or 'no.'
That's fine! It's like many other hobbies- you only need to get as deep into it as you want to. If you're happy with the beer you're making, the time you spend doing it, and still have time in your life for other things you want to do, then I think you're in the perfect place in your brewing hobby! Don't let other people make you feel like you have to use all-grain brewer as benchmark of your brewing career.
The goal is to have a hobby, with beer you enjoy in the end. If you're doing that, I think it's awesome.
If you are considering dabbling in all grain, I'd recommend doing either a small batch BIAB all grain beer or grab a 2 gallon cooler, a veggie steamer and a grain bag for a small batch all grain beer. It'll be much easier to manage (not to mention much cheaper than a full scale set up) and it will give you an idea of whether or not you want to do all grain.
Tomerwt: I tried to PM the link but your inbox is full. So here it is:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f64/old-speckled-hen-21132/
Enjoy - it is really tasty!
B
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f64/old-speckled-hen-21132/
Enjoy - it is really tasty!
B
DangerRoss
Well-Known Member
+1 on Revvy's reply -
It also depends on how much time you have to brew like Yooper said. Extract brewing is a quick and easy way to make good beer, especially if you use specialty grains for added flavor profiles. Some of my favorite beers I have made were extract batches with specialty grains. Granted, I prefer to do an AG batch if I have the time. An AG batch takes a good 3+ hours if everything goes right and you have a couple friends helping out. The brewer has more responsibilities and chances to make a mistake, but that is the risk for the added creativity and control over your brew. Plus AG you need more equipment that can be expensive and bulky.
It also depends on how much time you have to brew like Yooper said. Extract brewing is a quick and easy way to make good beer, especially if you use specialty grains for added flavor profiles. Some of my favorite beers I have made were extract batches with specialty grains. Granted, I prefer to do an AG batch if I have the time. An AG batch takes a good 3+ hours if everything goes right and you have a couple friends helping out. The brewer has more responsibilities and chances to make a mistake, but that is the risk for the added creativity and control over your brew. Plus AG you need more equipment that can be expensive and bulky.
My first AG is this weekend!!
I'm switching for cost (seems to save about $10 / 5 gal), as well as an interest in the complete brewing process. It doesn't mean I can't do an extract brew again... my extract Hefeweizen is very easy and would be more complicated as AG with little benefit.
We'll see how I like it....
I'm switching for cost (seems to save about $10 / 5 gal), as well as an interest in the complete brewing process. It doesn't mean I can't do an extract brew again... my extract Hefeweizen is very easy and would be more complicated as AG with little benefit.
We'll see how I like it....
Brewchitect
Well-Known Member
The BIAB (brew in a bag) sounds like the best step towards all grain because you can do it with all the equipment you use for extract, just need the bag. If you like it, move towards a Mash tun. Good luck!
Just do what you're comfortable with, what you have doing, and, most importantly, what results in great beers. I use Deathbrewer's Partial Mash technique for all of my beers, there's enough detail to keep me interested in crafting recipes, and I've had great results.
so 3 weeks later i have purchased a bigger pot and am assembling a mash tun ...
paulster2626
Well-Known Member
I don't think the time difference is all that much different. Sure with AG you need to mash for an hour, but that's basically just time sitting around doing nothing. I use this time to do something else productive. Then you start the boil - and aside from the 2 seconds every now and then to throw something in a pot, there's more free time.
Extract is the same - but I find when steeping the grains on a stove it's harder to maintain a constant temp vs. a mash tun, so it's more 'involved'.
I guess if you do partial boils then you'd save time cooling down the wort afterwards, but full boils are where the party is at.
Extract is the same - but I find when steeping the grains on a stove it's harder to maintain a constant temp vs. a mash tun, so it's more 'involved'.
I guess if you do partial boils then you'd save time cooling down the wort afterwards, but full boils are where the party is at.
stratslinger
Well-Known Member
Doesn't that just figure?
I was in a somewhat similar boat... The guy who got me into brewing has been doing AG since spring of 2010. I started picking up myself some gear around new years 2011, and told myself I would stick to extract at my place for at least a year. Figured it'd give me a chance to take some time paying closer attention to things like yeast and hops schedules, etc. However...
My fourth AG brew is tomorrow.
Fifth is next weekend.
jmlabeck
Well-Known Member
I brewed extract beers for 22 years, then last month, I brewed three all-grain batches, and one partial mash batch. Did I notice a huge difference? Um, no. Did I enjoy the process? Absolutely. Did I save money? Not really, although there would be a payback after a few months.
I guess the bottom line is, do what makes you happy, and what you have time for.
I guess the bottom line is, do what makes you happy, and what you have time for.
