Entering 'Phase 3' of my brewing career

[Baron von BeeGee]

Nice report...can't wait to try the AG IPA.

 

[dibby33]

http://www.epinions.com/content_2467668100

It means 80 shilling ale. Read the link above for an explanation as to what that means.

Simply put it the amount of tax that was payable on a barrel. Hence the stronger the beer, the higher the number.

 

[knipknup]

Wasn't going AG worth it? Saved a few bucks and you have more control of your beer.

 

[CBBaron]

Maybe I'm moving a little too fast in my brewing experience.
My first two brews were extract + grain kits.
The third was a kit that I tweaked into a partial mash recipe.
My next and fourth is my own creation and all-grain.
I probably should step back to using tried and true recipes until I have a better feel for how things affect the flavor of the beer.
This thread helped me reevaluate my brewing.
Thanks
Craig

 

[Bobby_M]

I find it interesting how some brewers start with partial boil extract and stick with it for years and years. I don't mean to be offensive to those happy with it, but extract just bothered me in the way that instant iced tea would bother someone from down south (Georgia maybe).

I went from phase 1 to phase 2 in extracts if about 3 batches, then I went directly to phase 3 all grain for batch 10 and 11. I can't say that either of them are successful just yet because they're green (hell, 11 has a stuck ferment too), but personally feel more proud of them already. If they taste like dishwater, I'll reconsider. I just enjoy the hobby more when I challenge myself. I think it's one of the best ways to learn (sometimes at the cost of a batch worth of ingredients).

 

[Rook]

I have to agree with Bobby_M, to a point. I don't understand why anyone would stick with extract/kit brewing for years. I don't have anything against it for the occasional beer, but the whole point of this hobby for me is to have a level of control over the beers I make, and doing extract kits doesn't give me much control.

I've progressed with every batch I've made so far, first was an extract/steeped grain recipe from my LHBS, I then took a recipe off the forums here. Then I moved into mini-mash/full boil. If I had the space my next batch would be AG, as it is, I'm writing my own recipe for the first in a series of House Specialty beers. This thread inspired me. I want to make a lineup of 5-6 house beers that I'll always have stock on, but I think they're going to stay mini-mash until I can get a house.

Thanks Walker_san, this jumpstarted me a little, I was looking for some direction on where I was going with my brewing, and you helped me decide to work on writing recipes.

 

[ayrton]

I just want to say that as of bottling, your Kaduva IPA is delicious.