Every beer you've ever drunk started with malted grain. All-grain brewing is the process of taking that grain and turning it into beer yourself — from the very first step to the very last drop.
It's the method used by every commercial brewery in the world, and it's the method that gives home brewers complete control over what goes into their beer. The colour, the body, the bitterness, the aroma — all of it is in your hands.
It requires more equipment and more time than brewing from a kit or malt extract, but for many home brewers it's the most satisfying way to brew. Once you understand the process, you can recreate almost any beer style in the world from scratch.
This guide covers everything you need to know to get started.
What Does All-Grain Brewing Mean?
In all-grain brewing, the brewer extracts fermentable sugars directly from malted grains through a process called mashing.
The grains are soaked in hot water — typically between 63°C and 68°C — allowing natural enzymes within the malt to convert starches into sugars. The resulting sugary liquid, known as wort, is then separated from the grain, boiled with hops and fermented with brewer's yeast to produce beer.
Unlike extract brewing, where much of this work has already been done by the malt manufacturer, all-grain brewing gives the brewer complete control over the process from start to finish. You choose the malts, you set the mash temperature, you decide the hop additions. The recipe is entirely yours.
How Does All-Grain Brewing Work?
The all-grain brewing process follows several key stages, each of which plays an important role in the finished beer.
1. Milling the Grain
Before brewing begins, malted grains are crushed to expose the starches inside while leaving the husks largely intact. The husks form a natural filter bed during lautering, so a good crush — cracked but not pulverised — is important for both efficiency and a clean runoff. Many home brewers have their grain pre-milled when ordering, or invest in a grain mill for maximum freshness and control.
2. Mashing
The crushed grain is mixed with hot water in a mash tun. During the mash, enzymes convert grain starches into fermentable sugars. Most mashes last between 60 and 90 minutes, and the temperature you mash at has a direct effect on the body and fermentability of the finished beer — lower temperatures produce a drier, more fermentable wort; higher temperatures produce a fuller-bodied, less fermentable one.
3. Lautering and Sparging
After the mash is complete, the sweet wort is separated from the grain bed. Additional hot water is then used to rinse the grains and extract as much sugar as possible — this is known as sparging. The combined liquid collected is your pre-boil wort.
4. Boiling
The wort is boiled, usually for 60 to 90 minutes. Hops are added at different points during the boil to contribute bitterness (early additions), flavour (mid-boil) and aroma (late additions or flameout). The boil also sterilises the wort and drives off unwanted compounds.
5. Cooling
Once boiling is complete, the wort must be cooled quickly to yeast pitching temperature — typically around 18°C to 22°C for ales. Rapid cooling reduces the risk of contamination and helps produce a cleaner, clearer beer. A wort chiller is the most effective way to do this.
6. Fermentation
Yeast is added to the cooled wort. Over the following days or weeks, the yeast converts sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Most ales ferment within 7 to 14 days; lagers typically take longer and require cooler temperatures.
7. Packaging
Once fermentation is complete, the beer can be bottled, kegged or conditioned before drinking. Carbonation can be achieved naturally (by adding a small amount of priming sugar before bottling) or by force carbonating in a keg.
What Equipment Do You Need for All-Grain Brewing?
All-grain brewing requires more equipment than extract or kit brewing, but a solid starter setup doesn't need to be complicated. Here's what you'll need and why each item matters:
Brewing System (Kettle and Mash Tun, or All-in-One)
You need a vessel to mash in and a vessel to boil in. Many home brewers start with a separate mash tun and kettle, but all-in-one electric brewing systems have become increasingly popular because they combine both functions in a single unit. The Grainfather G30 All Grain Brewing System (£549.95) is one of the most popular choices for home brewers — it handles mashing, lautering and boiling in one temperature-controlled unit, which significantly simplifies the process and reduces the amount of equipment needed.
Grain Mill
Used to crush the malt before mashing. A consistent crush is important for good efficiency. The Grainfather Electric Grain Mill (£294.95) is a well-built motorised option that produces a consistent crush with minimal effort. Alternatively, many suppliers (including us) will mill grain for you at the point of order.
Wort Chiller
Rapidly cools the wort after the boil, reducing the risk of contamination and improving beer clarity. The Quality Immersion Copper Wort Chiller (£74.95) is a reliable and widely used option for home brewers — simply submerge it in the hot wort and run cold water through it. For faster chilling, a counterflow chiller such as the Stainless Steel 12 Plate Counterflow Wort Chiller (£85.00) is more efficient and works well with the Grainfather system.
Fermenter
A food-grade vessel where fermentation takes place. Options range from basic plastic buckets to stainless steel conical fermenters. The Grainfather GF30 Conical Fermenter (£575.00) is a premium option that makes yeast harvesting and trub removal significantly easier, and pairs well with the G30 brewing system.
Hydrometer or Refractometer
Used to measure the sugar content of your wort and track fermentation progress. A hydrometer is the traditional tool and works well for most home brewers — take a reading before fermentation (original gravity) and after (final gravity) to calculate your beer's alcohol content and confirm fermentation is complete.
Syphon
Used to transfer beer between vessels without disturbing sediment. A silicone syphon tube (£4.95) is a simple and effective option that's easy to clean and sanitise.
Sanitiser
Arguably the most important item on this list. Everything that touches your wort or beer after the boil must be properly sanitised. Five Star Star San (£13.95) is the industry standard no-rinse sanitiser — mix with water, apply to equipment and you're ready to go. No rinsing required, which saves time and reduces contamination risk.
Bottling or Kegging Equipment
For packaging the finished beer. Bottles, caps and a bench capper are the most accessible option for most home brewers starting out.
All-Grain Kits: The Easiest Way to Start
If you have the equipment but aren't ready to formulate your own recipes, all-grain ingredient kits are an excellent way to get started. All the grain, hops and yeast are pre-measured and ready to brew — you just follow the process.
We stock a range of all-grain kits across a variety of styles:
- All Grain Beer Kit - Pale Ale (20L) — £29.95
- All Grain Beer Kit - Session IPA (20L) — £29.95
- All Grain Beer Kit - Modern Lager (20L) — £24.95
- All Grain Beer Kit - Best Bitter (20L) — £24.95
- All Grain Beer Kit - Cinder Mane Red IPA (20L) — £34.95
- Dark Rock Cafe Espresso Coffee Stout All Grain Kit — £28.76
Advantages of All-Grain Brewing
Greater Recipe Control
All-grain brewing lets you select exactly which malts are used and in what quantities, giving you complete control over colour, body, flavour and fermentability. Want a pale, dry session ale? A rich, roasty stout? A hazy, juicy IPA? All of it is achievable by adjusting the grain bill and mash profile.
Lower Cost Per Batch
Although the equipment investment is higher upfront, grain is generally cheaper than malt extract on a per-batch basis. Frequent brewers typically recoup the equipment cost within a year and save money on every batch thereafter.
More Beer Styles
Some traditional beer styles are difficult or impossible to recreate accurately using extract brewing because you don't have full control over the grain bill. All-grain brewing removes that limitation entirely.
Better Brewing Experience
Many brewers simply enjoy being more involved in the process. The hands-on nature of all-grain brewing — milling the grain, hitting your mash temperature, watching the wort run clear — is a big part of what makes it so satisfying.
Disadvantages of All-Grain Brewing
All-grain brewing does require more commitment than extract or kit brewing. A typical brew day runs between four and six hours from start to finish, compared to one or two hours for a kit beer. You'll also need more equipment, more space and a willingness to learn the process properly. There's a steeper learning curve, but most brewers find it levels off quickly after the first few batches.
Is All-Grain Brewing Better Than Extract Brewing?
Not necessarily — both methods can produce excellent beer. Extract brewing is faster, simpler and ideal for beginners or brewers who want to keep things straightforward. All-grain brewing offers greater control and flexibility but requires additional time and equipment. For many brewers, extract brewing provides a great introduction to the hobby before progressing to all-grain methods when they're ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an all-grain brew day take?
A typical all-grain brew day takes between four and six hours from start to finish, including milling, mashing, boiling, chilling and transferring to the fermenter. All-in-one systems like the Grainfather G30 can streamline the process considerably compared to a traditional multi-vessel setup.
What is BIAB (Brew in a Bag)?
BIAB is a simplified all-grain method where the grain is mashed directly in the boil kettle inside a mesh bag, eliminating the need for a separate mash tun. It's a popular entry point into all-grain brewing because it requires less equipment and is easier to set up. The trade-off is slightly lower efficiency compared to a traditional three-vessel system, though many BIAB brewers achieve excellent results.
Do I need to mill my own grain?
Not necessarily. Many suppliers, including us, will mill grain for you at the point of order. However, milling your own grain just before brewing produces the freshest possible wort and gives you more control over crush consistency. If you brew regularly, a grain mill is a worthwhile investment.
Can I use all-grain kits as a beginner?
Yes. All-grain ingredient kits include pre-measured grain, hops and yeast with detailed instructions, making them an excellent way to learn the process without having to formulate your own recipe. They're a great starting point before moving on to designing your own grain bills.
What's the difference between all-grain and partial mash brewing?
Partial mash brewing uses a combination of malted grain and malt extract. It offers more control than pure extract brewing but doesn't require the full all-grain setup. It's a useful middle ground for brewers transitioning from extract to all-grain.
Final Thoughts
All-grain brewing is the most involved and most rewarding way to make beer at home. It takes more time and equipment than brewing from a kit, but it gives you something no kit can — complete creative control over every aspect of your beer.
The learning curve is real, but it flattens quickly. After a few batches, the process becomes familiar, the results improve and the satisfaction of drinking a beer you've built entirely from scratch is hard to beat.
If you're ready to take the next step, browse our range of all-grain brewing systems, malts and grains, and hops to start putting your setup together. Or if you want to try the process before committing to a full equipment build, pick up one of our all-grain ingredient kits and brew your first batch with what you already have.