Neat thread.  I am going to do batch sparging and all grain for the first time with the next go around.  I have been an extract brewer until now.  I have tons of equipment, and look forward to making more beer.  There is just something cool about being able to make your own handcrafted recipe for whatever your beer pallet dictates.  I keg too.  

Quoted: So how close to you get to Anchor Steam in a finished product? Anchor Steam is one of my favorite brews and I'ld love to make it.  (But as those of you may have seen in my tahoe trip pix, I need to consume a substantial beer like I need a whole in my head.)  I'm about 70lbs over my "fighting" weight and good beer can't help in that department.

You can get close, but not exact because you dont really know what brand of grain, the ratio of the grains, and same for hops that they use.  But you end up with something a bit different and just as great.  Water supply is another variation, not better, not worse, just different.