after kits?

[WeaseL]

ok ive got a bock beer kit that im close to starting, my question is...after i make this batch and if i like it...whats the next step in brewing..i dont wanna spend the money for kits every time i want to brew a batch of beer, is brewing w/o hopped extracts and stuff that much cheaper?

[HogieWan]

how much did you spend?

I spend around $25 -$30 on a 5 gal batch. using unhopped extracts. Al grain is a lot cheaper, but you need a lot more equiptment first (a lot more)

[BrewDog]

Next step is brewing with unhopped extract and doing full boils. My local homebrew store (LHBS) has generic bulk LME that's cheaper than the "name brands", so yes, it's a little bit cheaper than hopped kits.

I'd suggest you get 1 or 2 more batches under your belt, become very comfortable with the sanitation and other processes. See this current batch all the way through (to the urinal :)). Then move on to unhopped extract with steeping specialty grains, then partial mashes. That way you will be unfazed by the amount of detail (and equipment) needed to do AG.

Or, Hell, you could just go straight to triple decoctions!

Welcome to the OBSESSION!

[WeaseL]

cool sounds like a plan to me. btw i spent about $28 on the ingredients. its not that bad for 5-6 gallons of beer but, you know...

[HogieWan]

from the desciption of your recipe, that's a fair price. You've got a pretty high alcohol content in that bock, so expect closer to $30.

My first batch was a boxed kit that included unhopped extracts and steeping grains. If you can make mac and cheese, you can handle it. homebrew.com (http://www.homebrew.com/), as well as many others sites (calling for suggestions) sells packaged kits like these for a decent price. I haven't bought any of these kits from them, but I've ordered other stuff from them and was pleased with their service. I'm mentioning them because you can have them crack the grains for you before they ship it. I may buy from them over my LBHS next time just because of that.

[Jughead]

Originally posted by HogieWan
...Al grain is a lot cheaper, but you need a lot more equiptment first (a lot more)

You can keep the all grain equipment to a minimum. If you can get your local store to grind the grain for you, all you really need is a $20 cooler from WalMart, and some copper pipe and fittings for a manifold. This assumes that you are already set up to do full boils.

[CampAjohn]

Actually, the ZapPap lauter tun descibed in Charlie Papazian's book stood me in good stead for 3+ years. Combined with an 8 gal. enameld steel canning kettle, that was my initial All Grain Brewery!

The ZapPap is just two 6-8 gal. food grade plastic buckets. The top one has a jillion 3/32 holes drilled in it (great activity for March Madness TV days...) This double bucket set up is like a giant collender, for rinsing (lautering in brew-speak) the fermentable sugars out of the grains.

I did a number of unhopped malt syrup batches before I moved to all grain. Main difference I recall, is that it took 1-2 hours longer. But you get a lot more control over the final product.

Yes, this is an obsession........

[WeaseL]

do you guys enjoy your brew doing it theall grain way? i know you would in the long run, but was all your batches to your likeing at first? or were they better then the extract recipes?

[BrewDog]

Way better.

It's similar the difference between my mom making spaghetti sauce from scratch and using Ragu.

It took time to get it right, but once I did, WOW!

[ray m]

I'm with Brewdog.....I originally had absolutely no intentions whatsoever to go all-grain, but suddenly I had a desire to try it. Couldn't believe the difference, and I'll never go back to extract.:)

[WeaseL]

wow so its that big of a difference? i hope this first batch goes well. i wish i had known more about beer types before i bought this Bock. i might have picked a different kind, but i dont really know what i like yet...so....we'll see.

[ray m]

Take your time, Weasel.....get comfortable with the extract process first, with 4 or 5 batches, then dive into all grain if you want. I think it's best to make sure you really dig the hobby by getting comfortable with extract, before investing $$ in the extra equipment you need for all grain.

Good luck with your first batch!!:)

[BluesHarp]

I still haven't invested in all-grain equipment, after dozens of batches, but is getting closer.
I have gone to doing "partial" mashes of specialty grains, and adding extract to that.
I have found DME tends to make fuller beers than LME, with less extract off-flavors.

I am in the process of looking to re-locate; once the move is done, I will set up for all-grain.

[ontap78]

I agree with ray m. Cut your teeth on some extract brews until you're comfortable with the brewing process and decide if it's your "thing". I did 19 extract batches before I took the all-grain plunge.Sure, it takes longer on brewing day but the reward is superior beer.You just have to make a little extra time for it. From all-grain brewing you can experiment with culturing your own yeast (you can save alot of money this way)and making up your own recipes.There are also many brewing sites on the net where you can find recipes for every style of beer you can think of. There is also a good thread on yeast culturing on this site.It's definately a rewarding hobby for the beer lover. Good luck.Prosit!

[WeaseL]

cool, im not unaccustomed to long prep times, i also make wine, so spending half a day pitting or de-stemming 30lbs of plums, or mashing 80lbs of apples down to concentrate would prolly be on par to boiling the wort and grinding grain. i love my wine making, but i still want a beer when i sit down to relax so i thought i'd give this a shot too. i know ill like it and will have to go to all grain eventually.