First time brewing

[Cammykinnis]

Hey there, I want to start my first batch and was thinking of doing an amber ale.
Is it biting off more than I can chew if I go the half extract and half grain route? Also, any recommended recipies?

 

[david_42]

Probably not. If you were in the States, I'd recommend buying a mini-mash kit from austinhomebrew, as they have very good instructions. Read up on brew in a bag for one of the simpler methods.

 

[IceFisherChris]

Nope, you should be in the clear. I'm going to step this up a bit and say that you should start with an extract kit, and then also brew a mini-mash version a week later or so! Do you have enough room for two batches?? You'll want to brew another kit before you start drinking your other one anyways... I made the mistake of running out of beer.

 

[Marsdude]

Hey there, I want to start my first batch and was thinking of doing an amber ale.
Is it biting off more than I can chew if I go the half extract and half grain route? Also, any recommended recipies?

My first brew was an amber. You can make a great amber with just extract. I found it very helpful that my first brew was just using extract. I got the experience of all the different steps of the process and that helped me understand what I needed to do better. My next brew I used specialty grains.

No matter what you decided to do - good luck to you!

 

[Cammykinnis]

Yeah, I'll have enough room for two or three if I play my cards right. Will there be a lot of break after the extract and hops are put in? Or does the extract make for a cleaner brew?

 

[Neonsilver]

I started out doing extract plus grains and am even still doing that but partial mash is not much different. Also, if you can make tea then you can do the steeping grains. The only reason I suggest the steeping first is the temps are not as important and you can work on your process. Having two batches going at the same time is a great idea too.

 

[TipsyDragon]

your not biting off more than you can chew. but i would recommend doing an all extract for your very first brew. its fewer steps and there for less chance of making a mistake.

extract has break material like anything else. just make sure you have a big pot that can handle the foam and don't turn your back on the pot till after the hot break is over. keep a spray bottle of water handy. if it looks like its going to over flow spray it with the water.

 

[Cammykinnis]

Okay, thanks a lot. I'm going to start this weekend so hopefully it should go off without a hitch. Thanks for the advice.