How many Extract batches before All Grain

[190Shilling]

How long did you extract brew before switching to all grain, either in number of batches or number of years?

I ask this becasue the topic came up in a conversation with wifey about my brewing endeavors. You see, I have been extract brewing for 16 years. I dare say I have the process about as perfected as I need it to be and I am constantly building new tools or upgrading equipment. I have often thought of switching to all grain, but have never really been motivated to take that step.....until now. So, I thought I'd poll the masses to help arm myself for the forthcoming conversation about why I need to spend more money and take up more space for brewing.

I basically need to confirm my comment to my wife that I am the ONLY person in the country who has extract brewed for 16 years without switching to all grain.

I am also a DIY'er and have no idea how to take small steps.

Thank you in advance.

 

[bratrules]

I did two extract batches before going all grain and i wont go back to extract again..

 

[cheier]

I'm personally going to go against convention and hit the all-grain bandwagon as soon as I can afford the proper equipment for it. Right now, I'm just brewing from beer kits and investing in kegging and fermenting gear.

 

[BierMuncher]

I dare say if you'd spent the small amount of money for all grain equipment 10 years ago...you could have saved a small fortune compared to what you spent on extract those years.

This of course assumes you brew on a consistent basis and keep a running pipeline of assorted beers at the ready.

As for me...I went four extracts over four back-to-back weekends before going all grain.

 

[motobrewer]

i did two extract, two partial mash, then went all grain from there.

 

[190Shilling]

I did two extract batches before going all grain and i wont go back to extract again..

I will be quoting you directly. Thank you.

 

[190Shilling]

I dare say if you'd spent the small amount of money for all grain equipment 10 years ago...you could have saved a small fortune compared to what you spent on extract those years.

This of course assumes you brew on a consistent basis and keep a running pipeline of assorted beers at the ready.

As for me...I went four extracts over four back-to-back weekends before going all grain.

VERY True. I did not brew all that frequently until the past year, so that is why I am working ont he switch.

 

[Berock]

I did like 5 extract/partial (over 4 years) before getting the bug for a Belgium Triple 1.5 years ago. The only recipe I found at the time was for all grain. I switched to all grain to make that beer. Since then have made about 12 different beers and 70 gallons.

 

[92greenyj]

I dove in head first. never done an extract or a partial mash. my first bacth was all grain and every batch since has been too. no desire to do extract. Its all grain all the time for me

 

[edgeofblade]

Since I'm still new to homebrewing, I'm taking a hands-on class locally in January. After that, I'll understand what's involved, but I don't anticipate going all grain for a while.

 

[JewBrew]

After one extract i switched to all grain. To me brewing with extract feels like making dunkin heinz brownies from a mix, just add and stir. i did not feel in control of my brewing and my beer.

 

[FAJ]

I did an extract, then a partial mash, then all grain.

I brew in the kitchen and can only manage half-batches with all grain, or 5.5gal partial mashes. I won't do straight extract anymore. I agree with the Duncan Hines comment.

 

[Hannable1975]

Between July 31 when I started till October 31 when I made my first AG, I brewed 9 extract lits. I wanted to give myself a chance to try different styles and see what I liked. Since Oct I have brewed 8 AG batches, as well as have 4 planned over the next 13 days....

 

[ian-atx]

I brewed probably 4 partial mash kits in the span of 2 months (or extract with steeping grain) then moved to all grain. I figured for a tiny bit more equipment cost (a cooler and manifold, already was using a turkey fryer and full boil) I could get the full experience.

 

[noodledancer77]

two partial mashes and about six months. Took that long to gather the gear for all grain. Luckily I've got a cousin that donated advice, a new belgium barrel with top already cut out, and extra carboy. i was most of the way to all grain. I've found the quality of the beer you can make with all grain is worth the investment.

 

[NorCalAngler]

I did 8 extract batches and 4 partial mashes before I moved to all grain. From my first extract batch to my first all grain batch was about 10 months.

 

[Shooter]

42

 

[cclloyd]

I brewed two extract kits and then went partial mash for three years - finally went AG last January and won't go back. The only extract I may use now is if I want to make a bigger beer than my mash tun can handle - barleywine or doppelbock or the like. Even then I may just break down and get a bigger MLT.

 

[190Shilling]

42

Are you telling me that all grain is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything?? I can use that. Thank you.

 

[DKershner]

You might get a different answer in the extract forum...

I did like...8?

 

[Shooter]

Are you telling me that all grain is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything?? I can use that. Thank you.

As long as you're asking the right question.

 

[CountryRootsBrew]

Brewed about 10 extract batches. Exactly 1 year from when I started with extract I switched to AG.

 

[schristian619]

i did 4 extract batches and one partial mash, wouldn't go back to either.

 

[nicadrick]

Exactly 1 extract batch.

 

[TheBrewinator]

I did 2 extract, 2 partial mash, then went all grain.

 

[mixedbrewer]

4 Years and I still do partial... It's what works best for me.

 

[Randar]

I did 10-12 extract batches over about 1 year before switching. Still learning on the All-Grain side and each batch seems to get better and better. Yeast ranching, doing 13.5 gal batches, building ferm chambers, using pumps... ever changing/evolving my set-up. I'm a tinkerer and kit collector, so this hobby is like cocaine.

 

[Beerbeque]

I did 7 extract batches before going all grain. My first two all grainers were kits. After that I just bought my ingredients in bulk and designed my own recipes from then on. Going all grain was easy for me as I already had an 8g pot, propane burner and a immersion chiller so all I really needed was a mash/lauter tun which I made from a picnic cooler and a SS braid. It was easy and saved me lots and lots of money over extract kits. Go for it and good luck.

 

[bovineblitz]

I did two extract batches.

Yesterday I bought some extract for starters and forgot how expensive that stuff is... $15 for 3 pounds is crazy!

 

[cravej]

11 Extract, 1 Partial Mash, and then I did 4, 10 gallon all grain batches. I'm still in my first year of brewing, but I know it'll be all grain from here on out.