Kit brewer contemplating the Leap to AG

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Question:

Also, I’ve been mulling over the idea of using some grains with the extract kits, has anyone done this already and if so got any tips?

Look up ‘mini mashing’ or just ‘mini mash’ . It is a partial grain / partial extract technique of brewing. Part of your color, flavor, and fermentables come from both the grains and the extract when using this technique. You can do this with the equipment that you probably already have right now plus a strainer. Also, many people use specialty grains w/ extract kits. They just steep the grains in a grain bag in water at 150`F for 30minutes (usually) and then add the extract. The grains add only color and flavor when they are steeped, all the fermentables come from the extract. Joe

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, This is probably the most read group I’m subscribe to, love all the info. I’m a kit brewer right now, but after my house is built in April and I have the room I’d like to move on up to All Grain!!! wahoo! Well, where does one start? I have access to a great supply store, but would like to know what Equipment I should start with (You all must be really sick of that question by now). Also, I’ve been mulling over the idea of using some grains with the extract kits, has anyone done this already and if so got any tips? Hp

Response:

It is not a leap, more like a step, I give some ideas on my page… I have access to a great supply store, but would like to know what Equipment I should start with (You all must be really sick of that question by now). Also, I’ve been mulling over the idea of using some grains with the extract kits, has anyone done this already and if so got any tips?

Almost every extract brewer eventually uses malts for steeping, and some mini-mash… Cheers, Mike www.ipass.net/~mpdixon/homebrew.htm

Response:

Thanks for the info folks, I’ve been reading up on the step for quite a while now, just hoping I pick up the right gear, Thanks! Hp

Response:

Me again, what I’m really looking to brew is something similar to a local beer here in Newfoundland Canada, its called Blue Star and is billed as a Bavarian Lager, don’t think I’ll be able to get into proper laagering for a while yet, but any mini-mash ways to add a Bavarian touch? HP

Response:

This book called Clone Brews has mini mash recipes for 150 premium commercial brews, including Bavarian lagers. http://www.beerbooks.com/cgi/ps4.cgi?action=enter&thispage=1194&order… — Don Tejas

Response:

Check out my web site under "brewing equipment"; I have pictures of my 10 gallon AG setup with part numbers and sources. www.wiccaone.com/billsBrewery/ A great primer is "You Wanna Mash?" at www.listermann.com. Good Luck! – Bill Success lies in achieving the top of the food chain. — Jubal Harshaw, 1904- www.wiccaone.com/billsBrewery/

Response:

Hi Hp, I’m in the middle of the same transition myself, so here are my two cents: – definitely try partial mashing first. Phil L makes a really cool device called "Phil’s Mini Lauter Tun" which is $20 or so, and allows you to do some lightweight grain work. I’ve used it, and it’s fun. It will show you two unique things: working with grain is more fun, and working with grain is more work and takes longer. – the guys that own my LHBS store say that a lot of guys get burned out by AG brewing. I’m sure that there are mnay folks here on r.c.b that love AG brewing, but hey, I’ve gotta believe what my LHBS says, too. They told me that they keep their brewing simple. A normal ale, they’ll do an extract brew. For pilsers, it’s AG time. For others, partial mash. – while I’m gradually acquiring all the gear to do my first AG batch (a Pilsner, due sometime this summer), I’m producing some kick butt quality beer doing extract batches. My brother and two brothers in law are real beer geeks, and they come over and want my homebrew, not the commercial stuff. I take that as a complement. As an aside – my first partial mash batch was also my first attempt at making up my own recipe. I substituted some Munich grains in place of pale malt extract, which conveniently forced me into partial mashing. The result? I ended up with a tasty but slightly astringent beer. I think I sparged too long. Back to the drawing board! Enjoy, Clarke

Response:

Hi again, Thanks for all the great Info, I’m now better armed, look out Bill at the Brew shop! Regards, Hp

Response:

Hi all, This is probably the most read group I’m subscribe to, love all the info. I’m a kit brewer right now, but after my house is built in April and I have the room I’d like to move on up to All Grain!!! wahoo! Well, where does one start? I have access to a great supply store, but would like to know what Equipment I should start with (You all must be really sick of that question by now). Also, I’ve been mulling over the idea of using some grains with the extract kits, has anyone done this already and if so got any tips? Hp

Response:

You can probably start by combing the web (Google is your friend) for all the sites AGers have put up. Probably 90% of the AGers on this list have some sort of informational pages up on the web. Lots and lots of info out there and many are quite well documented. Also, plenty of input for recommended setups and ideas that may spawn from looking at some of the pictures. Just my $0.02 CAN ($0.00001 US) m – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, This is probably the most read group I’m subscribe to, love all the info. I’m a kit brewer right now, but after my house is built in April and I have the room I’d like to move on up to All Grain!!! wahoo! Well, where does one start? I have access to a great supply store, but would like to know what Equipment I should start with (You all must be really sick of that question by now). Also, I’ve been mulling over the idea of using some grains with the extract kits, has anyone done this already and if so got any tips? Hp

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