Hi Flux,
It's hard to judge the result compared to BIAB, because while my first BIABs were all right, they were brewed too warm and the beer suffered for it. Even though the weather was hot when fermenting the Braumeister beers I kept it under control slightly with wet towels for two weeks until they were bottled.
But all things being equal I don't think there'd be any difference between BIAB, Braumeister and a full AG setup. There are techniques not easily done with the Braumeister, such as decoction mashes because, although not impossible, it's not easy to get the grain out.
Having used the Bruameister and BIAB, the one massive advantage of the Braumeister is the convenience of being able to maintain temperature and do step mashes, all without having to pay any attention to it. You just plug in your mash schedule (and boil time and hop additions) and then walk away. It heats the mash for you then beeps when it's time to pull out the grain, and beeps again when it's time for a hop addition and when it's finished.
Some would call it cheating. I reckon it's convenient.
As I have said elsewhere on this forum, I would have been happy to continue with BIAB, but I'm certainly not complaining that the little lady bought me a Brewmeister. The time that it frees up because I don't have to monitor mashes, etc, gives me time to do jobs around the house. It's a win-win!!!
Cheers,
Oliver
PS Yes, I do have a wonderful woman. It's
her birthday tomorrow and I have resisted the temptation to buy myself brewing equipment to celebrate. I think she would have appreciated that wort chiller from Grain & Grape