Thinking about trying all-grain brewing

[oconnor1981]

I am really considering getting into all-grain brewing. I've made probably 15 extract brews and a couple mini-mash brews but I really want to start all-grain brewing. I'm pretty apprehensive about getting into it, and I also don't really know any other home brewers that have done all-grain. I live near Minneapolis, MN and was wondering if anyone near this area had a all-grain batch they planned on brewing near the beginning of the year that I could assist with, and learn in the process. I'm sure it's a slightly unusual request but I figure it's better than ruining a batch of beer. Thanks.

 

[bob1852]

If you've done partial mashes, you can do all grain. It's not that scary of a thing to do

 

[JasonToews]

I went to all grain my 2nd batch going hehe, its not very hard, a little bitof reading will get you goin in the right direction

 

[bovineblitz]

It's really not hard at all, you're just adding the step of soaking grain at ~150ish for an hour. I went AG after three extract batches and was surprised at how easy it was, I had built it up in my head to be this big difficult thing.

 

[waldoar15]

Don't make too big of a deal of it Keep your first AG brew simple with a modest grain and hops bill. Some sort of brewing software helps.

 

[rico567]

If you're already doing extract, it's not that big of a deal.

What I got:

1. A Rubbermaid 10 gal cooler for an MLT.

2. A Bargain Fittings kit to convert #1 above (easy to install).

3. A Bayou Classic SQ-14 burner to do AG boils.

4. An eBay refractometer, which is really nice when going AG.

5. A "Corona" type corn mill off eBay, which does a fine job of milling my malt.

I spent about $165 on the five items listed above.

Since I already had an adequate boil pot and a good immersion chiller, that's about it, except for some containers to store grain (I use bunches of cat litter buckets I got from my son).

 

[BigTexun]

As one who made the conversion to all grain the last year, I can also attest to the fact that it isn't hard at all... in fact, its pretty much a piece of cake if you are already successfully brewing with extracts. The beer you make is better, cheaper, and you'll learn a whole lot more about your craft (which is quite fun).

That said, I've found a couple of downsides to all grain brewing that probably bear mention:

1. It makes your brew day significantly longer. With extracts, I could count on getting a five gallon batch started in the fermenter in a couple of hours. With all grain, it's probably 5 or 6 hours (I'm working on speeding it up).

2. If you think getting through a hot break with extracts can be challenging, hold on to your hat when you do your first boil with wort that was produced with all grain.

All that said, it is indeed very easy and much more rewarding. Go for it.

PS: I don't even know anyone that brews... So, be assured that you can figure it out on your own. Also, this site is amazing. You can post a question and get an answer in seconds (generally speaking).

 

[Yooper]

I live near Minneapolis, MN and was wondering if anyone near this area had a all-grain batch they planned on brewing near the beginning of the year that I could assist with, and learn in the process. I'm sure it's a slightly unusual request but I figure it's better than ruining a batch of beer. Thanks.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f20/4th-annual-north-saint-paul-brew-together-208734/

I can't make it this time, but it will be a great time, and there will be LOTS of good brewers there. You can see the whole process, ask questions and learn. You can probably even have a few great homebrews! Just send him a PM to get more details.

I've been to a meet up there in the past, and they are "good people". In fact, I consider SeaBeeJohn a good friend of mine.

 

[Colby]

I did my first all grain batch last Friday.

I assure you, that even though you might make a few mistakes, you will still end up with beer!

 

[oconnor1981]

I appreciate all of the encouragement. Thanks for the information on the brew get together in Saint Paul Moderator. I think I will plan on attending that event an bringing my supplies and using equipment they have there. It'll give me a better idea of what to buy.

 

[sportscrazed2]

yeah i'm getting into it as well. doesn't seem like rocket science after all you are just mixing hot water and grains in a cooler and letting it sit for an hour. then adding more water to get up to desired boil volume and get any remaining sugars out of the grains.

 

[Colby]

yeah i'm getting into it as well. doesn't seem like rocket science after all you are just mixing hot water and grains in a cooler and letting it sit for an hour. then adding more water to get up to desired boil volume and get any remaining sugars out of the grains.

Bingo!

It can be more complicated than that, but for most basic brews, it's just that simple.

 

[bovineblitz]

yeah i'm getting into it as well. doesn't seem like rocket science after all you are just mixing hot water and grains in a cooler and letting it sit for an hour. then adding more water to get up to desired boil volume and get any remaining sugars out of the grains.

You've got the concept down so it'll be easy as pie.

 

[Baum604]

Who cares if you don't do it perfectly the first time, so don't let the fear of messing up stop you. Just try it and learn from your own mistakes, that will be your best lesson on how to make good beer AG.

 

[Espi]

I am a HUGE nerd!

I liked brewing beer back in the day with my father. We did tons of extract batches. I decided to get back into it and did about a dozen extract batches. I went all grain shortly after starting up again because I like all the "bits" you get to play with and all the more research I get to do now..

What I am trying to say is.. its not that tough to make beer. Go for it, learn as you go and have fun with it.

 

[dobeluvr]

i've only done 4 all grain batches since starting, I wish I had just jumped in earlier. It is not as hard or complicated as it seems, but it is a little more time consuming.

 

[Espi]

Bingo!

It can be more complicated than that, but for most basic brews, it's just that simple.

For the most part it really is... It really does come down to it being what you want it to be.

Go full on automated, get into every science aspect that you please, try and brew as cheap as you can, buy the highest dollar stuff you can find...

Make beer and make of it as you please it kinda what its all about.

 

[wilserbrewer]

doesn't seem like rocket science... just mixing hot water and grains in a cooler and letting it sit for an hour. then adding more water ...and get any remaining sugars out of the grains.

perfect words, really that simple

 

[sensortech]

Go for it man! Best thing I ever did. I've been doing AG for over a year now. I did extract for like 15 years on and off, since AG i've been so impressed with my beer that I made a 3 tap Keezer and it's pretty much all I drink. Plenty of info from the knowledgeable folks here. I found that each time I brewed, I learned a lesson, but never ruined a batch. You will continually find ways to improve your process. Good Luck!