What is the natural evolution of a homebrewer?

[jlanier01]

Is the natural evolution of a homebrewer? Extract Kits >> Partial Mash >> All-Grain.

Is there any reason to do a partial mash before taking the plunge to all-grain?

How many extract kits did you make before you "moved up"?

 

[bob1852]

Is the natural evolution of a homebrewer? Extract Kits >> Partial Mash >> All-Grain.

Is there any reason to do a partial mash before taking the plunge to all-grain?

How many extract kits did you make before you "moved up"?

There isn't really an evolution - it's what fits you, your situation, your experience, your interest, etc.....

I do AG now, but still the best beer I ever made was an extract + specialty grains kit (I think I just really nailed the fermentation temps).

 

[Yooper]

I don't know if there is a natural "progression". Some people stay with extract brewing forever, due to their happiness with their product and the convenience. Some go right to AG brewing, without ever brewing an extract batch. Some stay right in the middle, and are happy with their choices.

I think most of the folks here on the forum are pretty brewing obsessed, so we aren't really the norm! But even in this group, there are a lot of experienced extract brewers that have no plans to go AG.

I was on the cautious side- very happy with my PM brews and even said things like "My beer is good now, I have no plans to go AG- I like the convenience, etc" for quite a while before I attempted my first AG batch. I'd have to guess that I did maybe 3 extract batches, and 15-20 PM batches before even trying AG.

 

[HOOTER]

Everyone's different I suppose. I've been an extract w/specialty grains brewer from day 1 and I'm still quite content. Of course someday when I get some decent brewing space I'll probably transition to all grain, but I'm in no rush. Some people immediately start out all grain or transition very quickly with little or no issues. It's up to you to decide when you think your ready, but getting some experience with extract might be beneficial to get some of the basics down before jumping into all grain.

 

[Brewpastor]

I believe it goes contributing member of society, home brewer novice, Debate forum Hitler analogy poster.

 

[scrambledegg81]

I believe it goes contributing member of society, home brewer novice, Debate forum Hitler analogy poster, Revvy.

Corrected.

 

[mrtrav]

Want beer....make beer....drink beer....

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Likes beer.
Learns beer.
Makes beer.
Loves beer.
Obsession.

 

[jlanier01]

I'm just now reading up on Palmer's guide to brewing your first AG batch. A lot of the benefits sound great, but there is definitely overhead when it comes to convenience and skill level. I'll probably stick with extracts until I feel my results are consistent, or I get more space.

 

[BlackTieBrewing]

I made a few Coopers kits, wasn't satisfied the quality of the beer, found homebrewtalk and went straight to all grain.

 

[mummasan]

make crappy beer (pre-HBT)...make good beer (post-HBT)

Before I started lurking here I was fermenting in Mr. Beer 'kegs' in the top shelf of my closet. Now I've got a dedicated fermentation refrigerator and another refrigerator for my two cornies.

 

[inspector13]

I did 1 Cooper's Kit, read How to Brew and then went all-grain. Am now going to brew my 2ed all-grain on the brewstand I built this week. I guess I jumped off the deep end.

 

[Hoosier]

intrest,
attempt,
obsession,
obsession,
obsession...

 

[ottobrew]

I made 4 extract batches, then went all grain. Somewhere in there I crossed the line between hobby and obsession, and I'm ok with that. :rockin:

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Is there any reason to do a partial mash before taking the plunge to all-grain?

The only reason I can think of is if you have any kind is space restrictions, such as being an apartment brewer. If not, skip the PM and go straight to the AG. If you are inclined to move on past the extract brewing, that is.

 

[wvlheel]

I'm waiting to make a "good" extract batch before I move anywhere.

I've made 3, and all were marginal. I've since learned the importance of fermentation temperatures (and we've transitioned into fall) - and I'm hoping the next two are much better.

I work in validation within the pharmaceutical industry, so I need at least 3 successful extract batches under my belt before I change anything.

 

[bigin31]

I did about 4 LME kits then moved straight to all grain. Partials are to involved and complex for me man. AG is really technical but if you keep it simple they are much easier than partials.

 

[ClaudiusB]

Is the natural evolution of a homebrewer? Extract Kits >> Partial Mash >> All-Grain.

I don't think so.
I didn't know any homebrewers when I started.
The first batch I ever brewed was 130hl Pils.

Is there any reason to do a partial mash before taking the plunge to all-grain?

Not in my book

How many extract kits did you make before you "moved up"?

0, I started with all grain
I didn't know extract kits existed when I started to brew.

Cheers,
ClaudiusB

 

[rico567]

I believe it goes contributing member of society, home brewer novice, Debate forum Hitler analogy poster.

Read that -> drinking beer -> you owe me new keyboard

 

[FreakinA]

I started with partial mash and after careful planning have moved to all grain recently. I brew in an apartment so space was the major limiting factor. I did PMs because that seemed like the best way to make the most "real" beer at the time in my constraints. Best decision I ever made was to make 2 2000w heating elements and go all grain. I have been brewing 2-3 times a week ever since going all grain and Its just so darn fun!

 

[jlanier01]

Best decision I ever made was to make 2 2000w heating elements and go all grain. I have been brewing 2-3 times a week ever since going all grain and Its just so darn fun!

before going AG what resources did you read? Forum? Palmer? Any huge mistakes you can share with a n00b?

 

[Brewpastor]

I would say you have to follow your interest, which sounds like you want to move to all-grain. If that is the case I would suggest reading Palmer and then anything else you ca. Keep engaging with this forum, but mostly, just get brewing. Pull some gear together knowing it will evolve over time. Start with what you have and go from there. My first all-grain set-up was a pot on a stove and a couple buckets. The beer got better after that.

 

[TechyDork]

Likes beer.
Learns beer.
Makes beer.
Loves beer.
Obsession.

I agree with this progression

I have been brewing just under 1 year and just did my 1st AG last weekend.

5 extract+steeping
4 PM
1 AG

 

[flyerwire]

i started out AG, i read, researched, basically geeked out on anything and everything i can read, then jumped in. Still so much to learn, but that never really stops

 

[amercuric]

before going AG what resources did you read?

Online DIY Articles for constructing mash tuns. I learned theory and technique easily because I have some science education. I also watched many YouTube tutorials as well as compulsively reading HBT.

 

[humann_brewing]

Likes beer.
Learns beer.
Makes beer.
Loves beer.
Obsession.

That pretty much sums it up doesn't it?

 

[dantodd]

I wanted to try and post something about a natural progression but as you've seen by now, there is no such thing. What you really need is a good mentor. There is nothing better than brewing with an experienced brewer. You can see their equipment, see what does and doesn't work. Put your hands on a beer in progress without the responsibility of having to think ahead to the next steps or prepping when you've never done it before.

This is probably why it took me years to try AG. Heck, if you are already doing full boils the only thing you have to buy is an MLT. You can make one that will last a very long time for $40. That's less than the cost of 2 extract kits. I would say if you are interested but don't feel ready go for it anyway. It's better to try a little too soon than to keep questioning yourself.

I am getting ready to teach a friend how to brew and since I'm AG brewing now that is all I plan on teaching. I'm sure that within 2 or 3 batches he'll be good to go on his own. He just lives down the street so it might just turn into a joint venture! Yipppeeee....

 

[ChrisS68]

That pretty much sums it up doesn't it?

Not quite...

Likes beer.
Learns beer.
Makes beer.
Loves beer.
Obsession.
EAC

There...

 

[GrizlyGarou]

Brew beer-> wait -> drink said beer.

That's about the only common thing for brewers, and even that could be argued.

 

[flyerwire]

I wanted to try and post something about a natural progression but as you've seen by now, there is no such thing. What you really need is a good mentor. There is nothing better than brewing with an experienced brewer. You can see their equipment, see what does and doesn't work. Put your hands on a beer in progress without the responsibility of having to think ahead to the next steps or prepping when you've never done it before.

This is probably why it took me years to try AG. Heck, if you are already doing full boils the only thing you have to buy is an MLT. You can make one that will last a very long time for $40. That's less than the cost of 2 extract kits. I would say if you are interested but don't feel ready go for it anyway. It's better to try a little too soon than to keep questioning yourself.

I am getting ready to teach a friend how to brew and since I'm AG brewing now that is all I plan on teaching. I'm sure that within 2 or 3 batches he'll be good to go on his own. He just lives down the street so it might just turn into a joint venture! Yipppeeee....

to agree with this, my biggest resource besides HBT and Papazian was my brother in law who has brewed for 12 years. Any questions he would answer, would give suggestions on recipes, and walked me through the equipment step by step... more then once. Having someone experienced local is a great resource to have