Is "Brew In A Bag" considered a beginner's technique?

No.

 

It's an easy way to get started, though (in terms of equipment outlay and process), which is maybe where the confusion comes in.

 

One guy in the club went to BIAB for convenience, he wins a fair amount of awards, he is experienced

 

I've never tasted one of his beers, but on a hunch I'd say this fella is not a beginner.

 

Def not. Been doing it for years. As mentioned above, less equipment, less space needed.

Many nano breweries do a similar process. Look up Colorado Brewing Nano systems which is a single vessel setup. Wouldn't say myself or anyone else are beginners.

 

I've brewed on one of those. Hoisting/handling that basket o' grains is a PITA, especially when it comes time to remove it after the splashy lauter. As an aside, @TheBeerery would probably have a heart attack if he saw it. It's about a far away from LODO as you can get.

 

Ya, wasn't going to go there, just saying single vessel brewing really shouldn't be looked at as beginner.

 

LOwDissolvedOxygen, low oxygen brewing.

 

As per @riptorn above, I switched to biab in 2015, 10 years after making my first all grain batch using a cooler set up with batch sparging, and 27 years after brewing my first extract batch. Although when I was a beginner I made lousy beer with extract, I’ve convinced myself that an experienced brewer can make great beer with the technique. Maybe there are no beginner techniques, just beginning brewers?

 

I've won medals using extract, minimashes, even steeped grains. Nothing beginner about that. These same techniques in the wrong hands can yield gross beer. It's a poor workman who blames his tools gentlemen.