difference between AG and Kits quality?

[Scotty]

Don't get me wrong, there are some good kits out there and if I needed a brew and pushed for time then I would make up a Coopers kit of some sort

Well I'd go along with that! Must've tried every brand going over the years until it got to the point where only Cooper's would do - albeit heavily modified. For some reason I can't fathom I've yet to try their legendary stout! Probably never will now I'm going back to AG next weekend. Mind you,I tried a Wherry a while back 'cos Cooper's was out of stockand I was impressed,but still falls short of a properly made AG.

I find a huge difference between using normal h/hold sugar against spray malt or glucose. The latter produces a clearer and more crisp beer which I find is easier to obtain carbination from priming. It might just be me though!

[arturobandini]

Don't be fooled into thinking All Grain is some miracle beer maker though. It is very important to get a good recipe (step forward Mr Wheeler), solid equipment and research your technique or you may end up washing it down the sink. All Grain is a big undertaking and you'll need a lot of time in order to get it done but if done properly it's definitely worth it and the difference in quality between Extract/Kits is vast.

[pantsmachine]

After enjoying the past 20 AG's or so, i tried a bottle of a 6 months old 70 shilling from brupacks that was lurking along with all its brothers in the back corner of the shed. It was truly boggin and was emptied down the drain along with all its brothers so i could use the bottles to bottle my AG nut brown ale recipe. Did not hesitate for a second! I also bought a 1/2 dozen bottles from a microbrewery up in the cairngorms last month that i would have rated highly a couple of years ago. I now feel them to be average. God, i sound really condescending but i don't mean it that way. I guess i mean my taste expectation is just higher now that i am used to my own AG. I also think that the quality that can be produced in our own homes compared to even a small commercial microbrewery can be related to a home cooked meal compared to a 200 person catered 'do' at a hotel. The hotel food is ok at that volume but its nothing compared to what my wife makes..... Any fence sitters out there just go for it, AG is the best beer you can get anywhere in the world. Aye and that includes the Belgians and Germans.

[arturobandini]

I'm not sure it's an evolution of tastebuds and more that it's to brewing to your own tastes. Chris has recently posted elsewhere about financial and time constraints placed on the bigger brewers which aren't in place on us in our smaller places. When money is no object on this small scale (hops,specialty yeasts,etc etc) you really can push the boat out to please yourself.

All Grain is an absolutely brilliant hobby and I am very glad I switched from kits pretty quickly but like is often said it's a hobby that requires time and knowledge even if that is inevitably justified by excellent beer.

[adm]

I guess i mean my taste expectations is just higher now that i am used to my own AG.

I think you nailed it right there Mr. Pants! It's amazing how much deeper you look at commercial beers once you can make your own. I totally agree that commercial beers than I used to love this time last year just don't float my boat any more now I can make better (to my particular taste) ones myself.

We do run the risk of sounding like beer snobs, but I guess it's the same thing when people that love food learn to cook properly.

[Scotty]

I revel in the fact that when doing brews of any sort, I'm not paying the Government the cash extra to cover alcohol duty

Plus, if I can produce a beer that rivals those of a good brewery I am happy.

I use the same principle as a home mechanic when working on my cars

[Subsonic]

The thing I love about all grain is the sheer Quality. I haven't bought any beer this year. The other great thing is people telling you that your beer is BETTER than the pub (ok, not often a compliment) but when serious beer guys say it well, it gives you a great feeling of sucess. I have stuck to my simple Kentish best with goldings and fuggles as my stock bitter which has a lovely flowery note and perfect balance. Then a stunning wheat beer care of Mysterio. So I always have my 2 house beers on tap. In between I dabble. Give it a go with a simple beer and get a few brews under your belt to settle your process down. You will never brew a kit again. Oh, all the brewery gear will make your mates eyes boggle as well! Subsonic

[confounded]

I revel in the fact that when doing brews of any sort, I'm not paying the Government the cash extra to cover alcohol duty

Plus, if I can produce a beer that rivals those of a good brewery I am happy.

I use the same principle as a home mechanic when working on my cars

Well, saving money was not the real reason for starting home brewing when I started on kits.Due to having young Children and having moved to a new area the opportunity for drinking a good pint in my local became a more and more infrequent event. With the kits when I did have a good pub ale I would come back and drink my kits with a little disappointed.

Having moved to all grain my first brew with just a single hoped compared favourable to one of my favourite local beer I drank this weekend then top up with my own brew on returning home. Now I am in this position the financial side of it has become incredibly interesting. I can brew a pint for as much as my local pub has raised their prices since I last went! A good AG pint will cost as little as 20p if you buy your malt in 25kg sacks. If you buy hops in greater quantities than 100g there will be potential to go below this! I would say I have now become very interested in the financial side of it now my local pub is charging £3 for my choice local beer!

[lindsay]

Thanks everybody

i'm glad i asked the question it's all been very positive, can't wait to get into this AG brewing.
now i had better start making a list of items for my diy kit.

cheers

Lindsay

[ADDLED]

Thanks everybody

i'm glad i asked the question it's all been very positive, can't wait to get into this AG brewing.
now i had better start making a list of items for my diy kit.

cheers

Lindsay

Nice one Lindsay mate, and good luck. If you've got the savvy to build your own kit, and dont mind asking lots of questions, you're well on your way to good beer.