I had a very fortunate rookie year in 2011, and I'm sure I can improve on it in 2012. I never used extracts, even at the start, and when grains were hard to come by or I didn't have the right equipment I concentrated on meads and ciders. Consequently, some of the things I see people wanting to do in 2012 are things I did when logic dictated I shouldn't have been ready. Having brewed AG right from the start, developed my own recipes for everything I have brewed, and made a mead, I feel I'm doing ok for a start. Here's the plan for 2012.
1. Build a better mash tun and get a bigger brew kettle.
2. Get my pipeline in shape in terms of quantity and diversity. Right now supply has trouble keeping up with demand.
3. Start kegging beers.
4. Remember to get to the apples before the geese get them this cider season.
5. Make a much much bigger batch of molasses porter next time around. It disappeared way too fast.