All-Grain Brewing vs Extract Brewing — Which Path Is Right for You?

What is the difference between all-grain and extract brewing?

Extract brewing uses concentrated malt extract (liquid or dried) as the base fermentable, skipping the mashing step. All-grain brewing starts from whole malted grain, requiring you to mash the grain in hot water to convert starches to sugars before boiling. Extract brewing is significantly simpler and takes 30–60 minutes; all-grain gives complete control over every aspect of the recipe but requires a 4–6 hour brew day and more equipment.

Which is better for beginners — all-grain or extract?

Extract brewing is the right choice for beginners and anyone who has outgrown kit brewing. You get full control over your recipe, can use any hop variety and yeast, and produce excellent beer — without the complexity of mashing. Most experienced all-grain brewers started with extract and recommend it as the best transition. Browse our malt extract range and hop pellets to start building your own extract recipes.

What equipment do you need for extract brewing?

Extract brewing requires minimal equipment beyond your standard home brew kit. You need a large pot (at least 10 litres) for boiling, a heat source, a 25-litre fermentation vessel, a hydrometer, and steriliser. You may also want a Brew in a Bag (BIAB) straining bag for steeping specialty grains alongside your extract.

What equipment do you need for all-grain brewing?

All-grain brewing requires a mash tun (or a BIAB setup using a large pot and a nylon straining bag), a kettle, a wort chiller, fermentation vessel, and various measuring tools. A basic BIAB all-grain setup can be assembled for £100–£200; more sophisticated three-vessel setups cost significantly more.

Can you make great beer with extract brewing?

Yes — absolutely. Many award-winning home brew beers have been made from extract. The quality ceiling for extract brewing is very high, and most casual home brewers can't taste the difference between a well-made extract beer and an all-grain equivalent. The main limitation is that some very specific styles benefit from precise mash control — but for the vast majority of everyday beer styles, extract produces outstanding results.

When should you move from extract to all-grain brewing?

Move to all-grain when extract brewing no longer satisfies your curiosity — when you want complete control over grain bill, mash temperature, and water chemistry. Many extract brewers never make the switch and produce excellent beer indefinitely. There's no obligation to go all-grain, and the step up is only worth it if you genuinely enjoy the additional process.

Browse our full range of malt extracts, hop pellets, and home brew yeasts at BrewCo UK. Also see our detailed all-grain vs extract guide in our Guides & Tips section.