Quick Brewing Category Question

DjPorkchop · Post by **DjPorkchop** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 11:11 pm

I from time to time have a few questions for guys who use extract and steeping grains for 5 gallon batches. From the looks of the threads, advanced brewing does not fit my thread needs as it is all grain? And basic brewing is for refills I am taking it? And BIAB is out of the question lol

So If I were to ask these questions, which thread would the powers that be prefer I put them in? I really don't want to break any rules. I like to keep my nose clean and in good standing of the community.

Thanks for your time guys.

Ray

Post by **philm00x** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 11:29 pm

I would consider the Mr. Beer/BrewDemon HMEs as beginner brewing as they are the most basic way to brew (add water to pre-hopped extract, pitch yeast, let ferment, package). Brewing recipes from scratch with extract and/or steeping grains I would consider intermediate as it takes some boiling time/steeping time to allow the specialty grains to impart flavor/color to wort and some calculation of hop additions in a boil for bitterness, flavor, and aroma. And as you stated, full mash process via traditional vessels or BIAB style are the most involved and considered advanced.

As far as the volume of beer being produced, it doesn't make a difference. Base your questions depending on the level of involvement in making your beer.

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DjPorkchop · Post by **DjPorkchop** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 12:19 am

Not so sure we have an intermediate level. That is what I was looking for and only saw the 2 listed and really hated to post in the wrong thread. Which coincidentally enough, I went and did a bit ago any how embarrassingly enough.

mashani · Post by **mashani** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 1:14 am

What I do here (except for when I screw up LOL) because of the way the forums are split up, is post stuff in Basic if its extract or extract + steep, and in Advanced if it has any sort of mash or other unusual technique, even if it's partially extract. Even though I am fully comfortable doing AG/BIAB, and do this for some 2.5 gallon batches, most of my beers these days involve some extract, IE MoreBeer Pils I use a lot, because I like the results I get from it and it saves me time and lets me brew bigger batches with my small equipment/stove.

FedoraDave · Post by **FedoraDave** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 6:35 am

I tend to agree that Basic Brewing would be the forum to choose, although posting a question about extract + steeping grains here in The Brewhouse wouldn't be a problem, either.

As far as breaking any rules, that should be the least of your worries; we're pretty relaxed around here, and I think the only time you'd get in trouble would be if you started posting nasty, hateful things about someone else. We don't dig that.

The_Professor · Post by **The_Professor** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 7:45 am

Posting in the right forum on a board can sometimes be tricky.

When I first started posting on the old MBF board I would often include a picture of my ingredients when I posted a recipe. The first couple times the thread got moved to pics and vids. Well, yeah, but it's a recipe.....

The "brewing catagories" on this board do have a brief description and I see why you are asking the question.
Looking at your "Redhawk Ale" recipe you are doing LME/DME with steeping grain and a full hop boil. I know when I started doing recipe kits like that I felt I had moved up from doing Mr Beer type recipes

When FedoraDave posts for the Recipe Collaboration Exchange he lists 4 levels:
Level 1: Only done HME kits, such as BrewDemon or Mr. Beer
Level 2: Have done extract recipes with hop additions; maybe some specialty grains
Level 3: Have done Partial Mash and/or larger kits, such as those sold by Midwest Supplies or Northern Brewer
Level 4: Have done All-Grain and formulated original AG recipes

Since there are already "BrewDemon Recipes" and "Mr. Beer Recipes" in the forum categories it would seem that maybe the other category would be better called "Extract Recipes" rather than "Basic Recipes".

Brewing levels can also be tricky. I would consider someone that has been brewing for some time and uses some combo of HME, LME, or DME with or wothout steeping grain, with or without a hop boil, making choices of yeast varieties, to make the beer they like to be a seasoned brewer. While someone doing all grain for their first brew is a beginner.

BigPapaG · Post by **BigPapaG** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 9:32 am

mashani wrote:What I do here (except for when I screw up LOL) because of the way the forums are split up, is post stuff in Basic if its extract or extract + steep, and in Advanced if it has any sort of mash or other unusual technique, even if it's partially extract. Even though I am fully comfortable doing AG/BIAB, and do this for some 2.5 gallon batches, most of my beers these days involve some extract, IE MoreBeer Pils I use a lot, because I like the results I get from it and it saves me time and lets me brew bigger batches with my small equipment/stove.

I agree... And by not having a specific intermediate category, it encourages folks to try different methods / processes within either basic (like adding a steep, doing a full or partial boil... Various methods of hop additions etc.) and advanced ( starting with a mini / partial mash, more exotic ingredients perhaps, different methods / equipment, etc).

It's all good and as has been said, no one is gonna get on ya' about where it should have been posted.

Much stuff gets entered in a separate thread in the Brewhouse and once your recipe is designed, you can post all about it in a recipe area that seems approprate for the ingredients / method used... Or not.

Remember, there are Equipment and Technique areas too...

DjPorkchop · Post by **DjPorkchop** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 10:00 pm

Thanks fellers! I just wanted to make sure what I was doing was fair and right to everyone. I appreciate all the replies.

As I stated before, I started with the old MrB back in 2009 and have pretty much stayed with extract the whole time minus 1 BIAB session that I ended up brewing my one and only infection. It was 100% pure vinegar when it was done fermenting. Out it went.

And on a side note, I tend to be a relaxed type of fella so I can appreciate the atmosphere for sure. I joined a community a few days ago and already said my good byes. That place was horrible! I don't have time for that. So thanks for being the way you guys are! I like this place and enjoy stopping in and saying hello.

mashani · Post by **mashani** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 11:17 pm

Hey, that's why I am here and not other places. I only have time to hang at one forum and folks at this place, like the old forum it replaced, like everyone as long as they make beer, regardless of how they do it. Even though I know how to and have done plenty of AG batches and been brewing for 20 years - at times with a full MLT setup, I'm no elitist or snob, and I have and will continue to do crazy things to save time or allow greater capacity with my current equipment that would get trashed on other forums by people who haven't even tried them and will insist that it will make bad beer. But I like to share those things with others because... they don't make bad beer (most of the beer I drink is of my own manufacture, and if it sucked I could not do that!) and they might help someone who has smaller equipment and/or little time to brew beer where otherwise they would be intimidated out of it.

You can make award winning beer with extract as long as you do it right and use fresh ingredients. So do what you like. Nobody here will judge you for it. And if you want to try BIAB or a PM again, we will be glad to help you. For future reference, there is no reason that you can't do a PM as a BIAB. I do that all the time. It's just a "mini BIAB" and then you use the result as your base to add the extract to.

Post by **philm00x** » Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:26 am

My apologies. I thought we had intermediate categories on here still. I was mistaken. But thanks everyone else for chiming in!

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