When did you make the switch to AG?

[slapshot]

I did 2 extract batches, then watched/helped an AG once and saw how easy AG was.

 

[bradsul]

I did 3 Muntons kit&kilo batches, then 3 extract w/ steeping grains. I then did a PM which was really just a test of my MLT and then I went all grain. I barely count the Muntons kits because that was basically an exercise in sanitation and all 3 batches disappeared on a poker night (which is what I made them for anyway).

I knew I was going AG from the beginning, I just wanted to get my feet wet, get some homebrew in stock and ready to drink and take my time building up my equipment.

 

[ZacMac]

I brewed 6 batches of extract and decided that I wanted more of a challenge and switched to AG. Not to cheapin' the skill of brewing extract, but I just wanted to try something different. I think the biggest challenge is the larger equipment necessary. As far as time comparison, I have done 2 batches of AG and I running at about 4-5 hours with clean up. I was down to 2 hours with extract. So not too much of a drastic time difference. I have a 1 year old boy, so time can be a factor. The brewery opens at 9:00 p.m. and closes around 2 a.m.! Good luck!

 

[BigKahuna]

I was really concerned about the cost involved in going AG. I saw the AG kits and the pre-made Cooler Mash tuns and thought...I can never afford that....
Then I quit being a sissy, added up the cost of building my own.
Cooler - $18
Parts for Bulk Head - $14.00 including ball valve.
Copper Manifold - $3.00 and junk out of the Basement
WAL Mart Turkey Fryer - $40.00

Total to go AG...$75.00

Wish I wouldn't have waited till #37 to switch.

 

[BierMuncher]

Four Extracts with steeped grains...my fourth batch being a twangalicious CCA.

All grain brewing is simple.

• Get some crushed barley
• Add some hot water and make an oatmeal like mash
• Let it sit for an hour
• Drain it.
• Rinse it with hot water.
• Boil the liquid for 60 minutes and add some hops along the way.
• Cool it and add some yeast.

Simple huh?

 

[Desert_Sky]

...my fourth batch being a twangalicious CCA.

I think everyone has done that one....once

 

[bradsul]

I think everyone has done that one....once

That was one of my extract batches (my last before AG in fact). I only drank one and the rest went to my sister's university friends (who loved it).

 

[devaspawn]

I started brewing january of this year. After 21 extract with steeping grains batches, I switched to all grain the weekend before this past one. I still have 17 lbs of DME so I will probably do 2 or 3 more Extract batches. I won't rule out doing extract every again. I can foresee my mother or my SWMBO buying me a kit from the LHBS not knowing the difference. Seems like it would be a waste to not make it just cause I switched how I brew.

 

[Lil' Sparky]

I can see why some people like extract, but I never had any interest in doing things that way. My first brew was AG with a buddy who had been brewing for a long time. We mashed in a cooler, used a bucket-in-bucket lauter tun, and boiled in two 3 gal pots on the stove.

I saw all kinds of ways to improve things so I immediately went out and bought a turkey fryer to do the boils on, and I've been upgrading ever since. I built a really nice 3-tier, 3 keg sculpture, but that wasn't good enough so I recently built a new single tier stand. I think that's about all I'm going to do, though. I don't really have any interest in automating my system.

 

[nealf]

That was one of my extract batches (my last before AG in fact). I only drank one and the rest went to my sister's university friends (who loved it).

This was my only extract batch...

 

[Desert_Sky]

I still have 17 lbs of DME so I will probably do 2 or 3 more Extract batches.

keep the DME for starters. 1 cup of DME to 800ml water = 1.040. 17lbs really is alot of extract though. I usually only keep 3 lbs around for starters.

 

[jmulligan]

Started with 2 PMs, then jumped into AG. Still working out the kinks (4 AGs later), but I am definitely glad I switched. It gives you waaaay more freedom in your recipes, and tailoring them to be what you want. Not to mention it just feels cooler making beer from a big ol' pile of grain.

It's also cheaper than extract - I was at the LHBS Sunday and saw single cans of extract for like $17.50. Considering you usually use two of those, plus probably specialty grains and hops, that adds up fast.

 

[PseudoChef]

3rd batch. Second was a partial mash.

 

[SuperiorBrew]

3rd batch here too, I had another extract kit purchased but really wanted to do the AG.

 

[schristian619]

wow...thanks for all the possitive information. I have a feeling it won't be as hard as it seems...just intimidating before your first one. As far as space, is it possible to do in an apartment (assuming I have a small patio for the propane burner)? Keep in mind that I have no problem with brewing equipment taking up most of my indoor space. The more I see it, the more I want to brew!

 

[bradsul]

I'm an apartment dweller and I don't have any problems. However I'm on the first floor so I do my boil on the lawn. You might want to check your local regs before you go firing up a burner on your balconey/patio. You can also do split boils on your stove if your stove can handle the volumes (mine definitely can't).

 

[Petey]

I've got probably about 15 extract under my belt, and have since started to acquire everything for the AG. I'm hoping to crank out 2 or so extract then do the same recipe but in all grain to really compare the 2 methods here in about 4 months once i collect everything up.

 

[ZacMac]

wow...thanks for all the possitive information. I have a feeling it won't be as hard as it seems...just intimidating before your first one.

Check out this guy Chris Knight on YouTube. I know there are multiple mini-instructional videos, but this one really got me interested and took the fear out. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/chrisknight000

 

[schristian619]

Regulations shouldn't be a problem. I haven't settled on a an apartment yet, just in the looking phase still, so those that don't allow it are out of the question for me. Between brewing and grilling, I definitely need available outdoor space that permits it. Good to know that other people do it while in apts.

 

[jmulligan]

As far as space, is it possible to do in an apartment (assuming I have a small patio for the propane burner)?

I too am an apartment-dweller. My "dining" area is half taken over with fermenters, but they are more a conversation piece than an eyesore to me. I actually brew at my parents' house since I don't have a propane burner, but I could brew at the apartment, as long as I did it in the parking lot (not on my first floor patio, which is against the rules at my complex). So, like bradsul said, check your lease to see if it says anything about "open flames" on the patio.

Definitely go for it, you'll be glad you did. Just do a LOT of reading beforehand.

 

[blacklab]

I switched to AG ASAP.

 

[Stevorino]

4 liquid extract batches
1 partial mash
and then all grain on batch 6.

My attitude was the same as your own-- I'd rather make ****ty beer the 'real way' than make great beer the 'easy way'.

I think the real reason a lot of people wait is the money or lack of this drive we both have. If you have the money, do it. Feel free to PM me w/ questions on the transition.

 

[missing link]

I did 4 or 5 kits, found this site, did a partial mash or 2 then started building AG equipment. It's weird how at first all the steps and terminology made no sense to me, even after reading most of how to brew online, but after going through the steps, there is kind of an Ah Ha moment and it all seems so easy.

Linc

 

[jacksonbrown]

It's weird how at first all the steps and terminology made no sense to me, even after reading most of how to brew online, but after going through the steps, there is kind of an Ah Ha moment and it all seems so easy.

Same here. I went through eight extracts with and without grain before deciding it was time to move on. It very much depends on money and space, as you've heard. But good luck, there's no going back!

 

[Saccharomyces]

I'm still a noob, having brewed 7 batches so far(all extract and 1 AHS mini mash). All of my batches have been full boils. I was just wondering when most people make the switch? I have by no means perfected extract brewing, but would like to venture into AG. I'm the type of person who would rather do the best I can and have not as good beer, than make great beer knowing that I'm taking the easy way out. Is it mostly space/money that prevents people or is there some other logic to it? I hope that makes sense.

For me: batch 1 was a minimash, batch 2 was minimash + full volume boil. Batch 3 I went AG and never looked back.

AG takes more time but is more rewarding. In the long run it's cheaper since you can buy grain in bulk. And with the mash temp and length to control, you have more control than with extract over how dry the beer will finish.

- Eric

 

[Sudz]

I'm somewhat new and lovin' my extracts so far. Tell me, why does one go to AG?

I know it's somewhat less expensive and I guess once you know your stuff you can be more creative... but what happens until you know more than just the mechanics?

I'm concerned I'm gonna brew useless stuff if I have to just grab a recipe based on "it sounds good".

Of course, that's basically what I'm doing with the extract kits I choose...

 

[ajf]

About 17 years of extract before I found a LHBS that stocked whole grain and a grain mill. Never looked back.

-a.

 

[joshpooh]

Tell me, why does one go to AG?

I know it's somewhat less expensive and I guess once you know your stuff you can be more creative... but what happens until you know more than just the mechanics?

I'm concerned I'm gonna brew useless stuff if I have to just grab a recipe based on "it sounds good".

Of course, that's basically what I'm doing with the extract kits I choose...

Couldn't one say this about brewing in general? I mean its a hell of alot easier to just buy the beer. Right? Seriously though, we should all brew the way we want to and feel comfortable. Although AG is nowhere near as hard as it sounds.

 

[JustDave]

I switched to AG in December after about 6-8 batches. All of my extract batches were partial boils (1.5 gallons or so), and they all had that same flavor (which, looking back, I believe was extract twang). The beer was OK -- drinkable out of sheer necessity -- but nothing I'd have a major craving for. After reading the posts here, I decided I wanted to go to AG since:

• I read many people saying that switching to a full boil is one of the best things you can do to improve the quality of your beer

• All of the "cool" brewers on here were doing it

I could have stuck with extract and still done full boils, but I figured why not go all the way? It's way more fun to fill a cooler full of grain and mash .... plus, I enjoy grabbing a handful of grain to snack on more than a handful of extract

My first AG, Edwort's Haus Pale Ale, was outstanding! After I switched, I made an extract batch I had laying around at home (this time a full boil), and it was great.

And I think what took me so long to switch was just intimidation. With mash temps, sparging, etc., it was intimidating to make that leap. But, like most things, once you do it a few times you realize it's pretty easy.

 

[MyBeerPants]

My first batch was an extract kit with specialty grains.
After that I did six partial mash batches mostly my own recipes. My eighth batch was my first foray into all-grain with some cobbled together equipment/techniques.

Looking for deals on Coleman Xtreme coolers this week so I can really get my all grain on in the coming weekends.