BrassBraBrewing wrote:...On top of that, there is a TON of information out there; it's overwhelming to someone who doesn't know anything but is eager to get started. Sometimes, the amount of information is paralyzing...I come to the 'net with a simple question and look up to see that three hours have passed, and I still haven't found what I was looking for!
I missed this post until now.
Firstly, great answers above. Nothing I can add on the community and culture here apart from that it has been stated before that one major reason this forum was started was to provide a community of goodwill - friendly, fun, explorative, helpful etc. Anything against that tone, I think they knocked on the head in the first year.
Now the main thing that struck me in BBB's (Deidre's) post was the above snip I quoted. I well remember exactly what she is saying and that is another major reason why the founders of this site started BIABrewer.info. There is
so much garbage out there to sort through.
I write a hell of a lot on this site but most of what I write is correcting or clarifying the bewildering mess of information that people have come across on other sites (and software). We're at an uncomfortable place atm here because we are still trying to structure the site so that people like you, BBB, will not have to read for hours to find the right info and confidence. Making the mess simple is extremely hard and when we are done with the task, everyone will say, that must have taken five minutes - lol. (Hopefully they will, as it will tell us we have done a perfect job!).
Sorry for the digression BBB but I'm getting to a point (I hope!). Until we do get the site structure laid out and written as we want it to be, if you do make a first post here and ask questions, you will get one on one attention and you will be told what to focus on.
All-grain brewing with BIAB is easy as. You shouldn't be worried about anything really. All you need to know are the following...
1. Does my water taste like crap? (Usual answer is no, so go to 2)
2. Where do I find a robust recipe? (Ask here)
3. How do I know what quantity of ingredients to buy? (Ask here. BIABacus.)
4. How do I know how much water to add? (Here again.)
That's about all you really need. I think in the new site structure, there is a thread called, "Planning my first brew." Most of the stuff you read on the net is garbage Deidre. Don't waste your time on it like I did. We've spent the years digging through the garbage so you don't have to. For now, I think the easiest thing to do is for you to make a first post and then maybe start a thread saying, "Planning my first brew." We'll get you un-paralyzed.
I don't even think that you, Deidre, need to go through the process Yetti suggested (great for many others though, for sure). Everyone here is friendly. You've read enough - too much! Let's just get you brewing!
PP
If you have found
the above or anything else of value on BIABrewer.info, consider supporting us by
getting some BIPs!