Straight to AG. Is it wise?

[wacko]

So, I brewed a dozen batches (all extract kits) back in the early 90’s but life and children and limited budgets got in the way so I sat it aside. A couple years ago, I gave wine a shot and did a couple of batches (both red and white). However, the results were not of the high quality that I anticipated. So know I am back to beers again.

I racked my first beer into the secondary this morning, and realized that I am approaching done with extract brewing. It does not hold the challenge. I still intend to brew, but I think I want to jump right over mini-mash, and partial grain, and dive headlong into all grain. I have recently read, “How to Brew” and “Brew like a Monk”, and am currently working my way through “Designing Great Beer.”

I think I have a handle on it, and I always have you folks for support. So here is my question: Is this a reasonable course of action? The Oak Butt Brown Ale AG recipe in Palmer’s book seems reasonable enough. Do I really need to baby step my way to AG, or should I just jump in the deep end.

Your story sounds almost exactly like mine. I made the jump to all grain using brew in a bag method and now I'm doing traditional batch sparging. I also went straight into kegging this time. I recommend that as well.

 

[jsb]

I also went straight into kegging this time. I recommend that as well.

Yeah that was already on my to do list. However, my first beer was a big Belgian that needed to be bottled.

 

[specialkaye]

Do I really need to baby step my way to AG, or should I just jump in the deep end.

I'm not one to baby step anything. If I'm going to do it, I'm in it all the way. Next weekend, my first two all grain batches. I was going to build a large tri-level rig, even have the plans on my desk, but then I read about BIAB and I'm going to do a hybrid of that method even though SWMBO gave the okay for the extra burner/pot and the whole rig thing in general. I've got lots of toys but not a lot of disposable income after SWMBO's college tuition and all I really want is a good beer.

Sit back, sip a cold one, and ask yourself if you can stir grain into hot water. Your answer to that question will be your answer to your original question.

 

[electronjunkie]

I'm not one to baby step anything. If I'm going to do it, I'm in it all the way. Next weekend, my first two all grain batches. I was going to build a large tri-level rig, even have the plans on my desk, but then I read about BIAB and I'm going to do a hybrid of that method even though SWMBO gave the okay for the extra burner/pot and the whole rig thing in general. I've got lots of toys but not a lot of disposable income after SWMBO's college tuition and all I really want is a good beer.

Sit back, sip a cold one, and ask yourself if you can stir grain into hot water. Your answer to that question will be your answer to your original question.

Good luck on your 1st AG beer. It really is easy with BIAB. I have made plenty of great beer using this method. It's so easy I feel like I am cheating.

 

[specialkaye]

Good luck on your 1st AG beer. It really is easy with BIAB. I have made plenty of great beer using this method. It's so easy I feel like I am cheating.

Thanks. I'm okay with "cheating" if we get some good beer out of it. Bottled SWMBO's request last night. Spent the evening drinking beer with SWMBO in garage. Must have been okay, she hasn't had a beer since about 1986. Warm and flat, it was wonderful. Somehow though, I didn't quite end up with as many bottles in the closet as I thought I would. But, we both kinda ended up in the closet too, if you know what I mean.

 

[Synovia]

My best advice is to read every book you can...TWICE. Take notes!

I disagree with this.


Books make it seem much more complicated than it is. Pop open youtube, watch a couple videos, and go to town.