How long an Extract Brewer?

[Katman]

I have been brewing 5gal extract batches pretty much every week this year and everyone loves the beer I make. I am not sure that I really want to move to AG brewing but last week I got a new ten gal kettle and decided to get a BIAB bag as well since everyone here seems to think AG beer taste better. So I am getting ready to try my first AG batch later today. Its a brown ale that I have done the extract version of about 6 times and comes out very consistent every time. I have some of the extract version put up and plan to use it to compare the two different methods. Wish me luck =^.^=

 

[kartracer2]

Hi All,
First off I haven't made beer for many years but when I did I used Boxed kits at first. When I found a style/type i liked I would would emulate it with just separate ingredients. I might add I had received 3 ribbons in local competitions this way. (2 thirds, and 1 best of class and show, Yes only extract w/ steeping grains on that one)
I am going get back into it very soon as I have a place that I can brew again. I am looking at a basic equip. kit and a couple boxed kits again as there so many more "clone" kits out there now that just didn't exist back in the day.
Yes I will go back to buying the basic ingredients again as I did before and stick with extract/steeping grains as they satisfy my tastes and ambition.
That's why wish some of the biab/ag people would ease up a bit. I'm sure they have their reasons for doing things the way they do. With that said, so do I, as said above. I feel extract will always have a place in this wonderful and enjoyable hobby unlike say Golf. The best part of this hobby is that you get to enjoy your efforts (beer) rather than buying it.
This isn't a rant but just my humble opinion as I wait for the brown truck to be a Santa's sleigh.
Cheers and brew on!
Oh I should add that I used to use Glass carboys and bleach exclusively and never had a problem.

 

[KevBrewski]

I have been brewing for a year now, all extract brewing. For the first 5 brews I did kits. I am now making my own extract recipes from scratch. Most recently made a delicious NEIPA and Chocolate Stout.

 

[Bamos6928]

I brewed extract kits for a little less than a year before I switched to all grain. I brewed store bought all grain kits for about 2 months before I started brewing my own recipes. I thought almost all the beers I brewed were really good but when I started using my own recipes, that is when the beer got even better. I would recommend working toward that goal. You know what you like more than a kit does!

 

[Saunassa]

Been brewing almost two years, first year was extract with steeping grains, and biab since. There is the 15 minute pale ale that's uses extract and steeping grains that I will continue to brew every winter. Love the flavor and can make a 3 gallon batch on kitchen stove during the winter when it is colder then 0f (-17c) outside.

 

[effeffe]

I brewed four batches with hopped extract, then six with malt extract and steeping (full boil), and then chose to move to BIAB all-grain.

Besides my obsession with the hobby, I was also not very happy with malt extract. It is expensive, messy to deal with, hard to get fresh (if using LME), and not much choice is available in my country.

 

[Froyd]

Over 25 brewing extract, with only one moment of weakness when I brewed a 1gal BIAB batch. I lost count of how many brew days I have under my belt, but I'm STILL learning new things all the time and improving my technique and my recipes.

 

[VirginiaHops1]

I brewed 4 batches with extract. First 2 weren't very good, batch #2 was downright terrible. Batches 3 and 4 I treated my water with a campden tablet and they were noticeably better. Batch 4 was actually pretty darn good. Then went to all-grain BIAB and am now 48 batches in

 

[mkopec1]

I did extracts for a few years at first, since this was the late 80s early 90s and all grain brewing seemed like this big mystery filled with all kinds of science stuff and honestly it was intimidating. Mind you this was not something I was doing weekly, maybe once a month if that. Also we did not have the internet filled with info at the time, I set out on my own with just a few books I purchased.Plus the store I got my stuff from only really carried extracts plus steeping grains, yeast, hops, so it kind of lend itself to extract brewing. Plus I was still doing the method of boiling 2 cans of extract in like 2.5 gal of water, then transferring this into a carboy filled with 2.5 gal of clean boiled water that was cooled. So equipment was an issue too. Big game changer for me was getting a 8 gal boil pot and constructing a wart chiller. this was my first game changer that made my beer way better since I could boil the entire batch and cool it within 15 min.

Then a dude at work I met set me straight at just how easy it is. He was still doing step mashing at the time which basically consisted of a cooler that he would set the strike temp to mash in at 120F, then step it up to 148F, then again to ~153F or so with hotter water, then sparge...etc.. It was still intimidating but he set my mind at ease. Then later int he 90s I was reading Brew magazine which had recipes where they would just hold one temp in the mash depending on style, which was a game changer for me, because it made temp management 120% easier. Then batch sparging made things even easier when I learned about that method. Honestly Brew magazine was the thing that set me off on all grain. Because it was the best source of up to date methods and they sort of set the "meta" for the time.

 

[bleme]

I did only extract kits (with steeping grains) for about 2 years, then did only all-grain for about 2 years, then got busy and started throwing in an extract batch (some kits, some not) every once in a while just to keep my kegs full.

 

[logdrum]

One batch extract, then moved to a cooler mash tun, currently mashing w/ a RIMS set up & fermenting in a Spike CF-10. Just under 10 years. If you'd have asked me when I first started "how soon till you get a conical fermenter?" I would have told you "never!"

 

[Brews and Blues]

As a new brewer, this thread makes me happy. I just bottled my first batch - Brewer's Best American Cream Ale Kit. I had a lot of fun doing it. Now I am reading books and reading this forum daily. But, I am not sure when I will want to switch to all grain, if ever. I still have a week to wait with bottle conditioning, but I think this batch was a success. The high success rate of these kits will keep me loving the hobby until i decide to get more advanced.
I have been looking at the Northern Brewer Kits for my next batch. Any opinions about those? They seem to get great reviews.

 

[bleme]

As a new brewer, this thread makes me happy. I just bottled my first batch - Brewer's Best American Cream Ale Kit. I had a lot of fun doing it. Now I am reading books and reading this forum daily. But, I am not sure when I will want to switch to all grain, if ever. I still have a week to wait with bottle conditioning, but I think this batch was a success. The high success rate of these kits will keep me loving the hobby until i decide to get more advanced.
I have been looking at the Northern Brewer Kits for my next batch. Any opinions about those? They seem to get great reviews.

I've brewed a ton of the Northern Brewer kits, both extract and all-grain, and they have all been great! I usually grab them on sale though, because their regular pricing has gotten crazy.

 

[cubalz]

When I started WAY back in the day, I made extract kits for about the first 6 years. I then went from mini-mash to all grain in the same year. The reason I moved to all grain was that I wanted complete control over the process. I still continue to have some excellent extract beers made at friends' houses

 

[Brews and Blues]

I've brewed a ton of the Northern Brewer kits, both extract and all-grain, and they have all been great! I usually grab them on sale though, because their regular pricing has gotten crazy.

Yeah, I've noticed their newest releases tend to be pricey, but some are priced really well from their website actually. Thanks, I will go with them next brew!

 

[kh54s10]

I have been looking at the Northern Brewer Kits for my next batch. Any opinions about those? They seem to get great reviews.

All but one of my 4 or 5 kits were from NB. But that was in 2011. I have done a lot of their kits by going on the website and looking up the recipe and brew instructions then sourcing the ingredients on my own, usually in bulk to save a lot of money. I also use their recipes as a start on creating my own version by changing up the ingredients a little - usually with good success.

 

[Brews and Blues]

All but one of my 4 or 5 kits were from NB. But that was in 2011. I have done a lot of their kits by going on the website and looking up the recipe and brew instructions then sourcing the ingredients on my own, usually in bulk to save a lot of money. I also use their recipes as a start on creating my own version by changing up the ingredients a little - usually with good success.

Nice! I think that is definitely the route I will go. A lot of the instructions have the beer fermenting for 4 weeks before bottling. That seems like a long time compared to the Brewer's Best kits I have done...

 

[bracconiere]

E=mc2

the more energy you dump into brewing the closer you get to "free"

 

[kh54s10]

Nice! I think that is definitely the route I will go. A lot of the instructions have the beer fermenting for 4 weeks before bottling. That seems like a long time compared to the Brewer's Best kits I have done...

4 weeks is a combination of a holdover from commercial brewing where they would ferment for 2 weeks and secondary for 2 weeks, and erring on the side of caution of bottling before the fermentation is finished (bottle bombs).

The kit makers want to make sure things go smoothly for the new brewer. If you bottle to early and get bottle bombs or just bad tasting beer you are less likely to buy more kits.

Some feel there is a need to go that long to allow the yeast to fully do everything that they do then let the flavors meld. This idea is getting less popular. Now, many will turn around a beer as soon as gravity readings tell you it is finished fermenting. I go at least 14 days to make sure it is done, figuring that a quick ferment would be done in 5 days and a longer one up to 10 days, barring any stalled fermentations. Procrastination in packaging usually makes it longer than 14 days.

 

[Brews and Blues]

4 weeks is a combination of a holdover from commercial brewing where they would ferment for 2 weeks and secondary for 2 weeks, and erring on the side of caution of bottling before the fermentation is finished (bottle bombs).

The kit makers want to make sure things go smoothly for the new brewer. If you bottle to early and get bottle bombs or just bad tasting beer you are less likely to buy more kits.

Some feel there is a need to go that long to allow the yeast to fully do everything that they do then let the flavors meld. This idea is getting less popular. Now, many will turn around a beer as soon as gravity readings tell you it is finished fermenting. I go at least 14 days to make sure it is done, figuring that a quick ferment would be done in 5 days and a longer one up to 10 days, barring any stalled fermentations. Procrastination in packaging usually makes it longer than 14 days.

Ah that makes sense. The absolute hardest part of this hobby is waiting. But I think it will get better if I have multiple beers going. Once I have some to drink, some conditioning in bottles, and some in the fermenter, I think the waiting will be a little easier.

 

[A1sportsdad]

I started brewing extract a bit over 2 years ago. Have wanted to do it for years. My son knew I was interested and got me the John Palmer Bible. I started to read it then set it aside. The kids got me a 1 gallon stout kit for Fathers Day a couple years later, so I started reading again and read it cover to cover then attempted the 1 gallon all grain kit. Let’s just say I was over my head but learned a lot. I decided maybe starting out extract made a lot more sense.

So 2 years ago I started brewing extract kits. Have loved it. Probably done a dozen or so 5 gallon batches over that period. All turned out well, but I still keep learning and improving.

So I have been slowly gearing up to start doing BIAB. Hoping to actual pull the plug and try it this summer. We will see how it goes, but either way I’m having a ball with it.

Cheers [emoji482]

 

[kh54s10]

So I have been slowly gearing up to start doing BIAB. Hoping to actual pull the plug and try it this summer. We will see how it goes, but either way I’m having a ball with it.

Cheers [emoji482]

What are you waiting for? If you can cook a recipe you can brew all grain beer.

 

[A1sportsdad]

What are you waiting for? If you can cook a recipe you can brew all grain beer.

I still need to get a few things first. I got a larger pot to handle the full volume brew and now the grain bill as well. I got a grain mill so I can mill my own grain to get it correct for a BIAB brew. Need to hook up a pulley in the garage to lift out the grain bag. Still need a few other items, but not much. I will still wait until spring or summer for my first attempt. Not about to try this for the first time in a freezing garage. I'll save that for once I have done it and I'm comfortable with it. Soon enough.

 

[kh54s10]

I still need to get a few things first. I got a larger pot to handle the full volume brew and now the grain bill as well. I got a grain mill so I can mill my own grain to get it correct for a BIAB brew. Need to hook up a pulley in the garage to lift out the grain bag. Still need a few other items, but not much. I will still wait until spring or summer for my first attempt. Not about to try this for the first time in a freezing garage. I'll save that for once I have done it and I'm comfortable with it. Soon enough.

On a 45 degree day your propane burner could easily take the temperature in the garage into the 70s... If you don't have all the doors wide open. But make sure you have enough ventilation. While the mash is going, just go back into the house.

 

[beekeeperman]

Started extract brewing 6 yrs ago. Probably made 100+ gallons , never made a batch I didn't like. All ales.

 

[soccerdad]

There is no shame in extract brewing and if the beer is good then life is good. All grain brewing is also fun and can be very rewarding. But frustrating at times
My only caution in going all grain is this...when you brew kits with extract you have two or three boxes on hand that exactly match what you need on brew day. With all grain brewing you have 200 or more pounds of base malt on hand, another 100 pounds of specialty malt and crystal malts, 5 to 10 pounds of hops in the freezer. You may not have such a stockpile on day one, but it will occur to you in short order that you want Pilsner and Munich and Vienna in addition to 2row, and you might as sell get cascade by the pound and on and on. It's not for efficiency apartment dwellers.

 

[PapaDon]

How long have you been brewing beer using only extract kits? I was wondering how many here are content to brew only with extract kits and not taken the step to go "all grain"?

I've been brewing extracts for a while and have yet to make a batch that was undrinkable. In fact, a vast majority have been great beers and I'm happy to stay where I am but I still look at taking that next step, it's a fun hobby!

One year for me. I brew for the beer not the "experience", the quicker I can finish the brew the better. I do add 7 extra ferment days to every batch, I find that the beer is much clearer when I do.

 

[Cavpilot2000]

Extract brewed 3-4 batches a year (bottled) for about 18 years. 6.5 years ago switched to all-grain and never looked back.
Nothing against extract if you're making beer you like, but all grain gives so much more control.

 

[Riley Henderson]

I have been brewing extract kits for about a year and a half now, for the longest time I used dextrose only and have recently started spending the little extra to switch to DME. I want to switch to all grain when I eventually get my own place and have more room to work on it. IMO I think the biggest difference between kits and all grain is the ability to have more control over flavor profiles, IBU's which is the main reason I will want to change down the road.

Cheers and happy drinking!

 

[adrichi]

I got my first homebrew starter kit back around 2000 and have been an extract brewer since. I was in college so I didnt have extra money to buy, or room to store, upgrades or accessories. As a young adult, i would brew up to a couple times a year, depending on the hectic schedule of life/kids/work/ect. I had heard of all grain brewing in the books, but because i brewed so infrequently, and only had the basic gear, i rarely have it much though. And the electric stove/lack of fryer.
A couple years ago, i gave up my one weekend a month, two weeks in the summer job, so i had more time to spend on my hobbies. Now I was brewing more, but all grain required more eqpt that i didnt have, and was hesitant to buy. I kept brewing, but needed upgrades. Slowly started upgrading. Now for my extract brewing, i have a dark star burner, wort chiller, extra buckets, extra carboys.
But still an extract brewer, and i am still happy with the results.