I'm gearing up to do my first AG batch...

[dfc]

This takes A LOT longer than extract. I'm stoked to taste the results though. I'm done with the first runnings and I'm waiting on the rest of my sparge water to siphon off so I can start my boil. I think I'm going to like AG.

 

[Jakeintoledo]

First AG batch. I've done around 30 extract batches.

Dude. Just let 'er rip, man.

Figure it this way, if you like....most guys confident enough to set out to make a video have had enough experience to know essentially what they're doing. if you find a video you like, watch it and let 'er rip.

you gotta try REALLY HARD to make something remarkably horrible. And you have to make mistakes on your own to REALLY learn how to do most things, brewing included.

And as Papazian says...

Relax. Don't Worry. Have a Homebrew.

 

[dfc]

Well, the boil started, I've been relaxed and ATM I'm drinking a blue agave wheat that I brewed. I think RDWHAHB is one of the best parts of brewing.

 

[Jakeintoledo]

my only mistake in brewing (outside of mashing too low and getting alcoholic water) is drinking too much and, after the 5-6 hours of brewing and drinking, I find myself knackered and don't take good notes. I have at least one brew bottled up, that I have NO IDEA what the exact ABV is.

 

[dfc]

Well, I had a pretty low efficiency. That sucks. I got 57%.

 

[dfc]

My bad, I actually got almost 64%. I'd like to do much better though.

 

[dfc]

Wort chillers get hot very quickly. You learn something new every day.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

64% isn't bad your first time out. Did you mill the grains yourself, or did the LHBS?

 

[dfc]

64% isn't bad your first time out. Did you mill the grains yourself, or did the LHBS?

AHS milled the grains for me. One of my next purchases will be a grain mill so I can have control over that aspect of brewing.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

I only go to Brew Your Own Brew off McQueen and Baseline. They have an amazing mill there and let you set the gap with whatever you want, plus they have the lowest prices in the valley that I have found. I set the gap there at .028 and get between 70%-75% batch sparging. Consisitency is most important though. It takes a few batches to get your system and process dialed in, but going AG has been the best thing I have done for my brewing.

 

[dfc]

I love that place. I've found I can get things cheaper by ordering online though.

 

[dfc]

BTW, I've found out that I like Maris Otter, but it definitely has a specific taste to it that at first I thought made a bad beer. Once I realized it wasn't a screwup in my brewing process, but rather the taste of the grains I've come to enjoy the flavor of Maris Otter.