Extract or all grain brewer?

[corkybstewart]

This was done back in 2003, but I wanted an update idea of who's brewing with each method.

[MeridianFC]

I didn't post a reply since I haven't brewed in years (yes, I'm hanging my head in shame). As I noted in the HB fora, I have been thinking about sticking my foot back in, completely sanitized of course. When last I brewed it was usually an extract + specialty grain thing. If/when I get back in I'm all grain or bust.

[HogieWan]

I'm AG all the way - after all the equipment I bought, my wife would kill me for paying the extra for extracts

[wortchillergoal]

I continue to extract because of time demands, I love being a "Dad" to my boys. I do steep grains 100% of the time and have done some mini mash.

[HogieWan]

No one calls me "dad" but someone calls me "that idiot that spends all my money on beer" - everyone's priorities are different

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by HogieWan
No one calls me "dad" but someone calls me "that idiot that spends all my money on beer" - everyone's priorities are different

I think I could live going by that rather colorful designation.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
I didn't post a reply since I haven't brewed in years (yes, I'm hanging my head in shame). As I noted in the HB fora, I have been thinking about sticking my foot back in, completely sanitized of course. When last I brewed it was usually an extract + specialty grain thing. If/when I get back in I'm all grain or bust.

I'm in the same boat. If I was to ever brew again I'd have to do all grain and keg rather than bottle.

[MeridianFC]

Without a doubt bottling was the biggest P.I.T.A of the whole process. Made cleaning look fun.

[Payson]

All grain, always. So much cheaper. It's also fun to hang out while mashing, etc... Also love kegging. Rarely ever bottle anything anymore. Counter pressure a few here and there for comps but otherwise, straight out of the tap! :D

[Randybo]

I havent aquired the equipment for all grain yet but i allways steep specialty grains for my own "EXPERIMENTS" Hey science can be fun:D

[Red T]

After just over a year of brewing extract, I have recently switched to AG. It is a bit of a chore, but well worth it! 21 batches in 18 months, with the last 4 being AG.:D

[M.K. Jeeves]

Mostly DME with specialty grains. Haven't taken the plunge yet.

[barleyburps]

All grain -- all the way. Have been doing it this way since '89.

For me brewing is not a hobby - it's a lifestyle - and brewday is all the therapy I need. Well, . . . that, and . . . the end results.

[revans618]

Still just extract. My eqiupment is 2 plastic buckets, some siphon hose and a bottle wand and bottle cleaner. It's just not in the budget to get the stuff to really start brewing. But hey, my beers turn out great and the wife even likes them so I'm not too bad off.

Someday though...(sigh).

[Seymour]

I still have my equipment--out in the garage gathering dust and probably mouse excrement. I should probably just ditch the whole operation and start over. Our very first beer, back in '96, was a combination of specialty grain and extract. A delicious irish stout. All since were strictly extract, and the outcome was so-so. As a result, I kinda lost interest. Then along came kids, and priorities definitely shifted. When I get back into it, hopefully it'll be with both feet--sanitized, as Meridian pointed out;) ; and I'd love to be able to spend the money for a kegging operation. I agree bottling's a pain in the arse.

[Mill Rat]

Usual story, a couple extract batches, a few partials, then sucked into the abyss of AG. I compare going to AG to getting that big 64-crayon box and being able to play with all sorts of different grains, mash temps, step mashes, decoctions, etc.

[SoxyinMO]

Originally posted by Randybo
I havent aquired the equipment for all grain yet but i allways steep specialty grains for my own "EXPERIMENTS" Hey science can be fun:D

Me Too! My last two batches have been my own recipes with wildly wonderful results.

[zaphod]

I started about 7 months ago. I did two kits( the wife wanted me to "try it " first). Have been AG since then, and I love it. Most turn out, and every batch gets a little better, as I learn more.
Hopefully start doing Lagers soon , when I get a temp control for for my freezer.

[zaphod]

I started about 7 months ago. I did two kits( the wife wanted me to "try it " first). Have been AG since then, and I love it. Most turn out, and every batch gets a little better, as I learn more.
Hopefully start doing Lagers soon , when I get a temp control for for my freezer.

[oblivious]

Just recently gone all grain, my self

[BignJames]

Started brewing last April...first 5 batches were extract..results were just ok....last 5 batches were AG...results were a quantum leap forward...AG forever!

[clcoyle]

Extract has it's advantages.

Aside from the time factor, you can do partial boils with extract, which means for me, with a 15 gallon boiler, I can easily do a 20-gallon batch of extract, but only 13 or so AG.

An unhopped extract brew can get several people very happily inebriated.