How many all grain batches until you got a winner?

[wscott823]

I'm a little critical of my brews, but my quality control crew notices each getting better and better. I'm bottling my 6th batch of AG tonight, but #4 was definitely a winner.

 

[redraider629]

My first one, a wit. Man that beer did not last long at all.

 

[boredatwork]

Yea my first beer was the best beer in the world.

No, seriously, all my beer sucked until my last batch. But it wasn't my fault. And by not my fault I mean that I was not as good a brewer before as I am now.

The problem with all my prior brews was water. That is why I have been on a tirade the last few weeks to make sure I don't see anyone say that water doesn't mater. Or even worse, "If it tastes good, then you can brew with it." Pretty much the worst advice ever.

I think the last one turned out OK - people enjoy it pretty readily. But honestly, I am pretty sure in as soon as six months to a year I will look back and laugh at myself for thinking that it tasted good.

We can't be too easy on ourselves folks. The reputation of the hobby is at stake.

 

[mc_eric]

I pretty much started off with all grain brewing, and I think my first AG was my best brew to date. I helped a friend of mine brew a couple extract kits (and by "help" I mean "sit around and drink beer and enjoy the hoppy goodness coming out of the kettle), and both those batches turned out pretty crappy. It was then that another friend of mine (an experienced AG brewer) insisted on teaching me how to REALLY brew. So he came down and brought his equipment and we did four batches over a weekend, 3 of which I kept. The first one was a rye IPA that was just freakin' awesome. The others were alright too, but not THAT good.

Subsequent attempts at brewing that RIPA have had good results, not great, but good. My other ales just have not been that great. Still, I have never had an AG batch that I didn't want more of.

 

[BrewUnited]

3rd AG brew for me was the best and was a Scottish Ale (St. Andrews Clone). First two I had a cheap thermometer and ended up brewing at way too low a temperature making the beer like roasted barley water.

 

[passedpawn]

Yea my first beer was the best beer in the world.

No, seriously, all my beer sucked until my last batch. But it wasn't my fault. And by not my fault I mean that I was not as good a brewer before as I am now.

The problem with all my prior brews was water. That is why I have been on a tirade the last few weeks to make sure I don't see anyone say that water doesn't mater. Or even worse, "If it tastes good, then you can brew with it." Pretty much the worst advice ever.

I think the last one turned out OK - people enjoy it pretty readily. But honestly, I am pretty sure in as soon as six months to a year I will look back and laugh at myself for thinking that it tasted good.

We can't be too easy on ourselves folks. The reputation of the hobby is at stake.

RDWHAHB. Really.

 

[Droot]

First AG was a good one. I had already been using liquid yeast and had the rest of the stuff nailed down pretty good with extract. I still screw one up now and then.

David