From Kits to Full Brewing

[Robdog]

I only started brewing in October. I did 4 kits then went straight to AG and ive done 2 AG brews already.

I found all the info i needed on here and along with asking alot of questions ive made 2 decent bres so far.

Just waiting for the new year now so i can buy 6 cornies and get cracking again.

[Parva]

It's certainly possible to begin doing AG brews just from reading and asking questions here but to actually see another seasoned AG brewer do it all in practice is a real eye-opener to how simple it really can be and an experience I would highly recommend. IanB invited me to a brewday before I did my first ever AG brew and I learned a heck of a lot that day. He fly-sparges and I don't have the spinny arm to do that and decided to try my luck with batch-sparging and sure enough, it works great for me. Just seeing the general technique made me realise that it's nothing like as complex as many would imagine it to be.

Not everyone has the opportunity to join someone on a brewday but if it is possible then I would grab it with both hands, I came away that day with so many mysteries (many I hadn't even thought of) solved. It might be worth the OP posting in the AG section and asking if anyone is brewing up around Birmingham and if he can go watch / help them.

I myself have someone coming Saturday (provided I get the boiler fixed) but as he's already an extract brewer he's aware of the boil and hops etc and just wants to see how the mash and sparge is done so it'll only take him a couple of hours but I have no doubt he will leave enlightened and relieved at how easy it is.

[Trough Lolly]

I'm brewing a kolsch and an amber ale on the 1st and I've got plenty of bedspace...

You're most welcome to pop along but the airfare may be a touch prohibitive!!

Cheers,
TL

[Alcopup]

Personally I would just get on and do it - (I had no previous experience of brewing prior to coming to these boards and reading and looking at the videos on u tube - I have a few AGs under my belt now but I know I still have lots to learn - which only comes with getting to the know the brew process by doing it and applying the things written on these boards) - it is not rocket science, dont get too bogged down in the details - I believe that will come with experience - just do the major stuff (treat the water with a campden tablet and try and maintain a reasonable mash temp etc).

If you keep it simple to start with and then refine as you go along I am sure you will enjoy it (it's not much harder than baking a cake!)

Alco