During my recent, forced time off due to "winter" storm Albert, I found myself yearning to brew. Since Nick and I haven't been able to get together to do a proper brew, I decided to dust off the old Mr. Beer kit and throw together one of my nearly "expired" batches. I decided to make a brew that I've made before, their "Octoberfest" marzen-styled amber lager. For those who don't know, Mr. Beer is an all-extract "fake and bake" type of kit that yields a paltry 2-gallons of beer. I don't want to knock it too hard at all, since Mr. Beer provided my first brewing experience. What I want to know is, what's your take on the legitimacy of extract kits like Mr. Beer, all-malt deals like professional brewers and avid homebrewers utilize, or combo packs such as the ones Nick and I have used from Maltose Express in Monroe (shameless plug). Check this video of brewing legend Garret Oliver using (and even COMPLIMENTING) the Mr. Beer brewing process:
So, now that you've seen this testimonial, what's the opinion of the Collective and others alike? Do you vehemently deny that anyone should participate in all-extract brewing? Should I chuck my other Mr. Beer kits and coordinate a real brew date ASAP? Extract, all-malt ......... both? Bueller?  |Gambrinus|