When did you make the switch to AG?

[bradsul]

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.

Welcome to HBT!

 

[Beerbeque]

Just like the OP, my first 7 batches were full boil extract kits. Since then I've done 2 all grain kits and I've only been brewing since the beginning of the year. Next step up is buying 50# bags of base malt and custom recipes. Yeah, I'm havin' fun!!
Beerbeque

 

[xamers]

I went nearly 5 years doing partial mashes before going AG.

I have no idea why I waited to long.

 

[bottle-o-jeff]

I've done 3 extract kits (with steeping grains) and been fairly disappointed in them all. Two are good, but not great. The third (a wheat) was just ok. Really, they all tasted almost the same. After doing some reading, I saw that full boils would make a huge difference in the final quality of the product. At that point I was $30 away from AG.

I'll be brewing my first AG (AHS Honey Blonde Ale) in another week and a half.

I want to make great beer, not just good beer.

 

[BrianP]

Started out AG. If you do your homework it's not as hard as you think.

 

[harley03]

Well I had about 15 extract batches under my belt. I then took a few years off and am in the process of going all grain as soon as I can finish building my new system. I would say as long as you feel comfortable what the heck! go for it. Sometimes that is the best way to learn. Believe me I have made allot of mistakes and learned from each one.

 

[BrewBrain]

I did a few extract batches about 12 years ago and hated every one of them. I'm not sure what it was, I just could not get over the awful flavor I could taste in them.

I did another extract about this time last year and hated it. I decided to give it one more shot with all grain. Oh man did I butcher the first brew day, but the beer tasted good. I'm certainly not a great brewer, but I like most of my beer now

 

[bigbellybrewery]

I switched to AG for the challenge and also I enjoy the chemistry ( I am a pharmacist). I can PM a beer that is good as anyone's AG. For most of those who AG, constant tweaking of your equipment increases the $$. Switch if you enjoy the hobby, the beer, ans the challenge.

 

[dcunitedfan]

I did the first 16 batches extract, then went straight to allgrain and am on my 8th AG. I realized on about match 6 that extract was hindering the potential quality, and would have made the jump sooner but for the cost of the mash tun, wort chiller, and SS kettle.

 

[Jesse Seymour]

2 extract brews and then I went straight into AG. My first AG is currently sitting in the carboy.... I hope it turns out OK.

My advice is to research AG extensively before jumping in. It can be a tad overwhelming at first, considering the added cost of equipment and a more involved brewing procedure, but I think it is ultimately worth it. You get the freshest beer possible because you are making everything from scratch, and your brewing will actually be cheaper in the long run. Extract is expensive to make so it is expensive to buy. An extract kit that would normally cost $37 dollars might be as cheap as $21 if you do an all grain version.

+1 on this advice, I did four Mr. Beer batches and two 5 gallon extract batches before making the jump - however I have been studying all grain brewing since I started my first Mr. Beer batch (about 6 months total studying before diving in).

But at some point you have to be like Nike and just do it

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I brewed a few (6?) extract batches before making a big leap to 15 gallon AG batches. I started brewing in Jul 06, and by Oct, I was brewing AG.