Why do guys make their first all-grain so complicated?

[plinyismyhero]

I think its more important to brew a beer that you have brewed successfully using extract as your first ag. In this way you can compare the two to see how the process changes certain aspects of that particular beer. If you try a new recipe and its not very good, it becomes difficult to nail down what happened. If you have your other processes down, and have been making good extract beers, its interesting to see the differences (or lack thereof). Then brew that 9 malt beer you couldnt really do as an extract...

 

[BigBeer4All]

ehh my first batch was a step mash IIPA. went perfectly smooth and the beer is wonderful. only used pale 2 row, crystal 20 and rogue farms independence hops.

second batch was roughly the same bill using simco and doing a single infusion. efficiency was terrible.

im about to do my third AG batch which will be a triple decoction double bock

am i in wayyy over my head? yeah
have i dont a ton of research? yeah
will i learn a lot? yeah
will it come out perfect? who knows

thats why i brew experimental things like this by the gallon. very little to lose but some time and <$20. plus i have a certified beer judge down the street to evaluate my brew for me. its all about having fun with your hobby.

 

[evwoller]

you can get CERTIFIED?! "stand back people, this paper here says I am a professional!"

 

[Yooper]

you can get CERTIFIED?! "stand back people, this paper here says I am a professional!"

Yes of course. There are different levels of BJCP certification, of course. Some are national, some are recognized, some are certified, some are master.

 

[evwoller]

Damn, i want to be a master beer appreciator! If only they told me this could happen when I was young, it would have been my life goal! Now I am stuck being a stupid computer programmer.

 

[kraypd]

I brewed my first all grain yesterday and went simple though. I bought a bock recipe from AHS. It had 2 grains and 1 buttering hop.

buttering hop? Hope it doesn't have a diacetyl taste..

 

[damisnguy2000]

People love to make the simple complicated. It must make them feel better about themselves.
Stick to simple

 

[BigBeer4All]

in a life of monotonous 9-5s simple is boring

damn that decoction was a hell of a ride.

 

[webgodhog]

buttering hop? Hope it doesn't have a diacetyl taste..

Haha, stupid android re-correcting. No, you see, you soak your bittering hops in butter, you should try it

 

[freakish]

I think its more important to brew a beer that you have brewed successfully using extract as your first ag. In this way you can compare the two to see how the process changes certain aspects of that particular beer. If you try a new recipe and its not very good, it becomes difficult to nail down what happened. If you have your other processes down, and have been making good extract beers, its interesting to see the differences (or lack thereof). Then brew that 9 malt beer you couldnt really do as an extract...

AGREED. My first ag was going to be a black ipa, but since i have a case of an all citra ipa i made, im going to save a few bottles, brew the same beer (just use more dry hop), and taste the difference. I cant wait as just going from all extract to PM can be impressive!