Whats the next stage I can do???...

[Trotters80]

Hello, ive been brewing from basic kits for quite a while now, so I'm now looking at taking things a step further.

Try not to go all technical with me lol, but whats next stage I could do after kits?.

What equipment needed, ingredients etc?

Any suggestions would be welcome, even if its a youtube link coz I don't understand what all this mashing business is, how you do it, what you need. I have read things on here but its hard to visualise.

Thank you.

 

[cheapbrew]

Have a red through this http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=51779

a couple of your biggest pans and some net curtain and duvet is all you really need to get started.

 

[Graz]

Well an intermediate step to all grain brewing would be to do extract brews.

For that you use dried or tinned malt extract then optionally add speciality grains of your choice as you start to boil it up, then add hops as it's boiling.

You will need more kit for this, preferably a boiler although you can brew on the stove top in a big pot. As far a I understand it you don't have to boil the full volume of whatever you're making, you can do it a bit like a kit where you boil up some of it then after cooling put it in the FV then top up to the required volume with cold water.

Or just go for it with all grain brewing, by all accounts brew in a bag (BIAB) isn't that much more complicated than doing an extract brew. This thread give the details as to how to do a low volume brew to get to grips with the concept. http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=51779 Plenty more info out there on the 'net, YouTube etc. just Google it.

 

[Fil]

extract brewing is a very expensive way to brew, and for a real improvement in beer an ag brew is the best bet imho, you dont need every bell n whistle, many a basic biab brewer will regularly brew a better pint than many of mine, perhaps :)

And there is nothing like a couple of by the seat of your pants biab brews to cement just what equipment would improve the experience for you and save you wasting cash on kit you think will be crucial but turns out to be a white elephant..

 

[peteplus1]

I would get the necessary equipment together that you need to brew it from scratch (All grain). Read up as much as possible and get some simple brews on the go and under your belt . You'll make mistakes but likely to still produce a fine drinkable beer that's all your own work! I'm only on my 5th AG brew but learning all the time and trying to rectify mistakes on each brew. Still not getting everything bang on but have made pales and stouts that are more than adequate. And most importantly enjoying the process and having fun with it, as well as learning :)

 

[Notlaw]

I went all grain after just 1 kit and I don't regret it for a second. It really isn't NEARLY as daunting as it seems and there is no mysticism or magic to it, unlike is sometimes made out. I did my first one with a 5l stock pot, a jam thermometer and a salvaged 12kg mayonaise bucket! That was pretty much it apart from stuff you'll have in the house anyway.

Do a simple single malt, single hop for your first one and after that, once you've got a feeling for it, find a recipe you like the look of and follow it. It's really that simple. It's no harder than making a kit, it just take more time out of your day to do it.