Need Opinions: Should I do this kit?

[AdeptZymologyst]

I had been eyeing this kit at work for two weeks now, and finally decided to buy it.View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1445151556.566351.jpg
While I'm no stranger to extract brewing (I've got three different 5 gallon batches in primaries, and a nice cider conditioning right now), I have yet to work with all/partial grain recipes.

I bought this kit with the intention of using the growler to try out a batch of JAOM.

Here's my dilemma, though:
My first experience with homebrewing was with the Mr. Beer kit I was given on my 21st birthday in 2009; and as I mentioned, I've only done extract brewing since then.
So I'm wondering if I should follow the instructions the kit came with (making it my 'Mr. Beer' of grain brewing); or, should I just incorporate the ingredients into a partial grain/extract recipe, and get right to making a batch of JAOM with the growler?

Basically, do you think following the instructions will give me a feel for what all/partial grain brewing is like?

Cheers!

 

[Bellybuster]

You paid for it, why would you not brew it?

 

[soccerdad]

I experimented a bit with one gallon batches when I was working to define my processes .. still use the 1G fermentor on occasion. But for the same amount of work and very little increase in grain/hops/yeast, I can make 2.5G.

I have never made JAOM ... I would think a 1G batch would be a great test.

 

[max384]

Did you actually buy it? Or just make the decision to do so?

If you've already been brewing extract beer, my advice would be to build yourself an easy mash tun out of an Igloo cooler and do five gallon batches instead of buying this kit. If you had never brewed before, buying one of these all-in-one kits would make sense.

If you've already bought it, disregard what I said above. Follow the recipe instructions and make the beer the kit came with. This way you'll get experience with doing all-grain brewing with an existing recipe, rather than trying to tweak it. Then once you bottle it, make the JAOM.

 

[flars]

I had been eyeing this kit at work for two weeks now, and finally decided to buy it.View attachment 310219
While I'm no stranger to extract brewing (I've got three different 5 gallon batches in primaries, and a nice cider conditioning right now), I have yet to work with all/partial grain recipes.

I bought this kit with the intention of using the growler to try out a batch of JAOM.

Here's my dilemma, though:
My first experience with homebrewing was with the Mr. Beer kit I was given on my 21st birthday in 2009; and as I mentioned, I've only done extract brewing since then.
So I'm wondering if I should follow the instructions the kit came with (making it my 'Mr. Beer' of grain brewing); or, should I just incorporate the ingredients into a partial grain/extract recipe, and get right to making a batch of JAOM with the growler?

Basically, do you think following the instructions will give me a feel for what all/partial grain brewing is like?

Cheers!

Yes, following the instructions of the kit will give you the feel for all grain and partial mash brewing. The main changes from all extract is mashing the grains at the correct temperature and holding this temperature for a certain amount of time. This kit may also introduce you to the "Boil In A Bag" method of mashing.

Then comes water chemistry if staying with all grain.

 

[max384]

Yes, following the instructions of the kit will give you the feel for all grain and partial mash brewing. The main changes from all extract is mashing the grains at the correct temperature and holding this temperature for a certain amount of time. This kit may also introduce you to the "Boil In A Bag" method of mashing.

Then comes water chemistry if staying with all grain.

It's actually Brew in a bag, not boil. I point that out because boiling in the bag will result in a ton of tannin extraction.

 

[flars]

I definitely meant BIAB, but not boil. That was bad on my part.