The slippery slope of homebrewing...

[redwing_al]

Okay, I'm brewing extracts.. The last two that i kegged turned out fan-tastic. One was a Raspberry blonde ale for the mrs and the other was for me - a Bells Two-Hearted clone which was OUTSTANDING!

the slippery slope part. I've brewed 6 brews now using extracts. I want to move into All grain and I'm fascinated by a single vessel, electric system of some sort (either pico ebiab or a DIY job).

My question is for those of you that upgraded your gear, how many brews did you do or how long did it take you before you jumped into something more substantial?

I feel like there is a learning period where you work with what you have, but I love the concept and simplicity of an electric platform and believe that that method is the one for me! Maybe after 4/5 more extract / partial mash brews I will make the transitions, but i wanted to learn how many of you got to where you are with your growth into higher quality/controlled systems.

One person I know said "homebrewing is a slippery slope" and no doubt it is...

 

[BesteBrew]

I was doing partial mashes for about a year before I jumped into all grain. It was weird I almost felt like I had to do it and was pressuring myself to make the best possible beer. After two or three all grain batches I switched back to my PMs. It just felt like to much work and effort for me. After another year of brewing I started all grain again but it felt a lot more natural to me this time around. I still do PMs when I don't feel like sinking all the time into a brew day. I guess what I am saying is do whatever you are comfortable with. There's no timetable. You can make some great extract beers and some ****ty all grain beers. Have fun. Drink beer. Be merry.


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[CUrchin]

I'm doing BIAB batches right now. For me it's been a great way to try all grain without getting crazy with the equipment. At least, for now.....

 

[thadius856]

I did less than 5 extract batches. I skipped partial mash and jumped right into all-grain.

The first few all-grain batches were very drinkable, but not very good reproductions of the recipe I had intended.

Of the last 500 gallons or so, I've only had two bad batches. Neither were bad enough to warrant dumping. I suspect one was kegged too young and the other was fermented hot.

 

[thadius856]

Btw, I've been on a Keggle for the last 18 months or so with a 70 qt tun. I've certainly gotten my money out of them.

Next step will be a minimum 1 bbl electric setup. I won't have the power or room until I buy a large house, so that could be quite a few years.

 

[tooldudetool]

I brewed probably 60 extract batches before finally jumping to all grain. The main reason I held off so long was the time commitment of all grain. All grain basically turns a 2.5 hour brew day into a 4.5 hour brew day... with a wife and 2 young kids free time is hard to come by! Now that I've made the switch, I'll never go back!! The only extra equipment I needed was a 10 gallon igloo cooler mash tun. I batch sparge and put the first runnings into a brew bucket, then add sparge water from kettle to mash tun, then pour first runnings into kettle, drain second runnings into kettle, good to go! I'm a big fan of keeping things simple, I still can't wrap my head around why any homebrewer would fly sparge, too much extra time and equipment!

 

[Greatbreweh]

I went straight to AG and what a disaster getting going, lots of equipment issues to sort out when you build your own setup, It takes a few attempts to get it all just right, at least in my case that's what happened.

 

[Transamguy77]

I did extract for about a year before moving to BIAB and made prob 12-15 batches that way, one night while brewing a 5 gallon batch I thought "how much longer to brew 10 gallons?" I set out to build a 3 tier converted keg direct fire system. I have been using that system now for over a year and cant be happier, above and beyond the fact that I have control over the whole process the fact that I can brew almost any batch for less than $50 with propane is awesome. Good luck on moving up!

 

[BrewWNC]

I did extract extract for about a year, moved to biab for a year, and have been all grain for the last year. Personally, I think moving up the ladder helps with learning and, more importantly, understanding. Its weird but I think I might suggest starting all grain for a new brewer if they have they have the proper support (like a mentor, attended classes, etc).

 

[BWE]

I can't speak for everyone. But when I switched to AG, I wondered why I didn't done it sooner. I already had a 10gal boiler, and just upgraded with a false bottom kit and 10 gallon igloo. Probably 150 or so for the setup. I do have another 7gal pot that I use for boiling strike and sparge water also.

If your worried about it, get on youtube and watch some videos. Northern brewer has a full process that will really set your mind at ease. I would suggest a Refractometor also. Two drops versus a whole vile.

 

[TonyG]

I brewed 5 or 6 batches before moving to all grain via biab, mainly for the cost savings. Living in an apartment, I don't really have room for a full 3 tier setup, although craigslist has produced most everything I need, minus the stand for a keggle setup. Still haven't used any it, just biab on the stove currently.

Ie, it's a real slippery slope...:smack:

 

[quincy07]

I have my 3rd extract batch fermenting right now and have 2 more planned, already have supplied purchased. After those I will probably do a few PM batches then go BIAB AG. I have no idea how long that will take but I'm expecting about another year or so.

 

[Wynne-R]

My homebrew club has new members stand up at the meeting and announce themselves. It always reminds of a 12 step program. “Hi I’m ‘your name here’ and I’ve been homebrewing x years.”

If I had known how easy AG was I would have done it years before I actually did. My AG addiction started with the Zappap, a popular entry level lauter. I call it ‘the holy bucket method’. Way better than extract.

It took far too long to realize that Zappap’s suck. Even with drilling from both sides, the holes clog. Having to stab the holes with a #0 Phillips screwdriver is a bit of a buzzkill.

I upgraded to a copper manifold, still in a bottling bucket. About $20 worth of ½" copper, elbows and T's. AWESOME

After I replaced the stupid spigot about five times for slipping a thread or flat out breaking, I went to an actual metal ball valve. SUPREMELY AWESOME. Still there.

Good luck with your future obsession.

 

[smccarter]

I haven't brewed a true extract batch in several months, although I do have 2 recipes that call for 3.3 lb of LME. That's not to say that I'll never brew an extract beer again. I brewed extract for several years before moving to all grain. For me, I think I enjoy the process of brewing an all grain batch. It's a process that I find to be very relaxing.

I'm in 100% agreement with the others in this thread that lean toward the "brew the way you want to brew" philosophy. Always remember... a hobby shouldn't be work. Have fun, and enjoy the product of your hobbie. 2 or 3 unless it's a school night.

 

[NewWestBrewer]

Try BIAB. The only extra equipment you will need is a paint strainer bag. DId 3 extract batches and then moved to BIAB and am just completing my 21st batch

 

[JPrather]

Did two extract batches before getting some extra equipment (2 gallon cooler and a large bag) and doing my first partial mash.

I suspect I'll stick with partial mash as long as I don't have room to do a full boil. I am sure I can make beers as good as all-grain this way and I kind of get the best of both worlds. It really is a great hybrid approach, IMO.

Outside of the actual brew process though, I already got a fermentation fridge, some plastic carboys etc. I'd like to say I'm set for awhile, but like you said, it's a slippery slope, and there's always something I can upgrade! (hmm... a bench capper would be nice... man it'd be cool to have a better thermometer...).

 

[AOD]

I made about 100 extract / steeping grain beers before switching to all-grain. I got my hops, yeast, and cleanliness down in that time. The all-grain jump is fun, just more equipment, more variation. 228 beers later, I'm still happy.

I brew extract every 10 beers or so just because it's so freaking easy.

Keep that in mind!

~Adam

 

[AOD]

I forgot I did buy a small cooler around batch ~80 to get my partial mash thing going. That was a nice step into all-grain.

 

[insanim8er]

I never brewed. I never met anyone who brewed. I started reading and collecting gear.

Then I bought the ingredients to do an extract. I made it. Then went all grain after that. I have yet to make another extract.

 

[BigFloyd]

I want to move into All grain and I'm fascinated by a single vessel, electric system of some sort (either pico ebiab or a DIY job).

I understand where you are in your thoughts with this. Been there.

May I suggest that you consider building a single-vessel E-BIAB rig with a controller box incorporating a PID.

When I made the jump from extracts to AG, I put together a mash tun using a 50qt cooler with a CPVC manifold and valve. After brewing a few batches with it, I found out that one of our local brewers who was doing single vessel E-BIAB on a rig that the owner of our LHBS had helped him build around a 15.5 gallon keggle. He really liked the ability to precisely control the mash temp simply by setting the value on the PID controller. Being part German, I like precision methods and became intrigued.

It took some time to figure out what parts to order, the layout for the controller box (much easier thanks to PJ's diagrams) and details like where to mount the pump and the plate chiller. A few long evenings were spent at the kitchen table with a crimp tool and soldering iron. Drilling and cutting stainless steel was probably my least-favorite part.

Was it worth it in the end? You bet. Brewing a batch using the E-BIAB rig is pretty darn nice once you get your processes dialed in the way you like them. I have no plans to ever go back to using a mash/lauter tun.

That being said, before you ever tackle such a project, first set up a fermentation chamber using a freezer or fridge plugged into a controller (I use an STC-1000). Being able to precisely control your fermentation temps will do much more to improve the quality of your brews than making the jump to AG.

 

[sudbuster]

------->One person I know said "homebrewing is a slippery slope" and no doubt it is...

Ha! you have no idea how this hobby soon turns to an obsession. There is a lifetimes worth of knowledge to try to grasp. And your equipment will ALWAYS need to be upgraded. There is no end to the experiments with procedures and recipes. All of that without mentioning the competition angle. Yeah, it is a slippery slope, and I've been on it for over thirty years. Spent thousands for equipment of all various kinds. Still learning and reading whatever new tidbit I may garner from the pros. There is no end to it. And, yet, it is just cooking really. Kind of like making bread in a way, which I also like to do. Some folks come into the hobby for a while and then fade out. To others, it is just something like a way of life, just something you do.
If you jump and stay with it, set aside a brewing budget which should be much larger than just buying your beer. Best of luck and Cheers.

 

[tjmac5071]

When I got into brewing I decided ten extract /pm batches then all grain. I've only done one all grain so far but it is easily the best yet. My extracts were good and one that is fantastic and other people love as well but I swear there is something different about the all grain end result. I think ten batches is a good number to learn what you need to know in order to make the move to ag, you have the technique down and most of the equipment you need. I just added a 10 gal igloo cooler/false bottom and weldless fittings and was on my way

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[boombrewer]

I brewed a few extracts and went to all-grain. I'm much happier with the overall control of the process. But also agree that you should go with whatever you feel comfortable with. The nice thing about going all-grain, you can always go back to extract or partial.

 

[keggert]

When I got back into home brewing I was happy doing kits did about 4. Then I thought, I want to control the recipe I'll do extract recipes, this is good don't need any thing else. Six months later hmmm whats this all grain all about? I'll try BIAB, cheap no extra equipment I'll be happy with that. Three batches later, converted cooler to MLT, and worried whats next. As you look into upgrading think big picture, not what I can make do with now. If you want to do all grain and you have to purchase equipment think will I be happy with this equipment X years down the road or should I pay a little more now then have to pay twice for the equipment.

 

[Beergnomes]

I knew before I brewed my first batch that I was going to take brewing seriously so my first batch was 5 gal AG, 6.8% ABV and I wrote my own recipe after heavily studying the style I was attempting. Other than arguing with himbo during brew day all went smooth. I entered that beer in a AHA sanctioned Brittish Beer fest Competition and was only one point from an "excellent" rating. Not too shabby for my cherry buster. I graduated to 10 gal batches on my 4th batch. I do think having good equipment makes a huge difference but AG is so creatively exciting to me that I can't imagine doing extract batches. I need the full challenge of AG brewing and am always chomping at the bit waiting for bottling day so I can free up that fermenter & get back at it. There is a wee heavy in my fermenter due to finish in 10 days and already tasting promising. Once I bottle I will be doing my first step mash so the excitement just gets better as you progress.:fro:

 

[yugga]

I did 2 cheap kit+kilo extract kits that tasted terrible before moving to BIAB. I can't recommend this enough! My beer now tastes like craft beer. I get consistently high efficiency (85%), it's simple and it's fun. Before going to the trouble of making an e-biab why not just order a mesh bag and give it a try? I'm sure you'll be happy you did.

 

[clockwise]

I've spent quite a bit in the past month just getting back into brewing. My initial venture was with a Mr.Beer kit the wife bought me, which DID teach me some fundamentals, but it tasted like ****.

I'm drinking my first batch (american pale ale I guess) I brewed in the new carboy right now and I'm going to be doing a partial mash next because I REALLY wanted to do a brown ale. I didn't realize that this step was more involved than my last. Oh well, just a few extra tools. The wife silently revolted against the keezer I bought, but I just need to brew something she likes and she'll be happy. Then I can upgrade again.

 

[Teromous]

I can't speak about transitioning to an electric brewing rig, but my all-grain expansion has always been out of both necessity and enjoyment. When I moved to all-grain I wanted to do more with my brew day. I enjoyed brewing extract batches, but it just never felt like I was doing much more than pouring ingredients into a pot. All-grain provided more interactivity and had a unique form of catharsis from direct manipulation of the ingredients. By increasing my setup, I have progressively made it easier to brew which makes the brew day more enjoyable and less stressful. A larger pot removed boil-overs. A large mash tun meant never worrying about how much grain and water I could hold. A powerful propane burner meant quicker boil times. A plate chiller meant quicker cooling times. Buying little things like a mash paddle, larger sparge water cooler, quick disconnects, and folding table have each allowed me to focus more on what is enjoyable about brewing.

So, after this long paragraph I give my recommendation. Don't focus on this as a large project. Figure out things slowly. Find out what would things would make the brew day a little bit easier and make improvements as you go along. You may find out that there are things you don't need to upgrade because you're comfortable how they work already.

 

[beergolf]

I did the normal progression. Started out with extract/steeping grains. Did that for a while and got my processes down and made some very good beer. I got a fermentation chiller and a stir plate during this time, so my beers improved. Next step was partial mash. Easy step but offered me some more flexibility and control over the recipes. The next step to all grain was very easy, because I got good at controlling mash temps.

I think everyone should do the process that works for their situation. Very good beers can be made with all of the processes. So proceed at your comfort level.

 

[dpatrickv]

I started all grain and to be honest, Im still using the exact same system I started with 2 years ago(albeit with more fermentors....)

 

[Paradigm]

I'd brewed 5 beers using extra / partial mash at this point. My plan this summer is to go all grain, make a mashtun and tackle the heady-topper clone floating around on these forums

 

[dadshomebrew]

I brewed maybe 7-8 extract batches and had some inconsistent results. Some a little twangy, some great, and a few beginners mistakes. By the time I got to partial mash (partial boil) BIAB I had ironed out the issues and the quality went through the roof. Fantastic improvements in quality and predictability.

I am moving to all grain right now. But I expect to use stovetop partial mash over the winter months when the outdoor brewing is not as appealing.

Austin homebrew is a great site for somebody transitioning from extract to partial mash. All of their kits are available as partial mash, and the quality is great. Flat rate shipping too.