I feel like most of us do, or perhaps have tried getting around to it, there is no shame in not doing it. Some of us just like to brew as a hobby, or perhaps want to go to the next level. Whatever it may be, I think this a nice little poll. Vote!
Just brewed my first all grain batch on Sunday! Brewed on a buddy's system and can already see my wallet emptied on new equipment.
I actually found Beer Advocate because I got into homebrewing. I had some questions and found the discussions here to be some of the best. Since then I have gotten way more into beer than I was before.
I can only say yes because I just finished, my first batch. probably gonna start my second in a couple weeks.
Homebrewing can increase your appreciation of beer. I recommend it to all. It isn't expensive, it actually ends up being cheaper than buying beer after a surprisingly short time. Smelling the first hop additions mixing with the aromas of the malts, and the enjoyment of drinking fresh beer I made myself are my two favorite things about it.
I just recently got in to homebrewing and have had a blast doing it. It's an awesome feeling to pop the top of a beer you made. Even better when your friends come over and enjoy it too. Not to mention I love the way it makes my house smell when I brew inside.
I homebrew but I probably buy as much beer as I brew. Home brewing has made me a much more educated beer consumer. I have no time for self-proclaimed beer "experts" or "connoisseurs" who have nil or very close to it brewing experience.
Homebrewing Advocate ! Though I always find myself buying/wanting new equipment so I really wonder when it will "save" me money. However, I enjoy brewing to much to really ponder the cost benefit ratio. Yes grains, hops, water, and yeast are cheap, but a 10.5 gallon stainless steel stockpot with a ball valve and an immersion chiller not so much. Like I said I brew because its fun, you have a finer appreciation of the fermentation process, and there is nothing like creating something and sharing it with others.
I've been brewing 1-gallon stove top batches for the past year with mixed, mostly positive results. I have a pumpkin ale that I just bottled and all signs point to an excellent brew. Cheers.
I figured out pretty early on (after living in Franconia and visiting the Czech Republic, Belgium, and the UK) what styles I liked, but it wasn't until I started homebrewing -- and especially homebrewing all-grain lagers -- that I could fully appreciate everything that went into those styles (i.e. know pretty much exactly *why* I like them). IMO there is no substitute for the knowledge homebrewing has given me.
Former homebrewer, not sure whether that counts as yes or no. I think there's a lot of former homebrewers out there.
As odd as it sounds, brewing is what really got me into good beer. I have always like the idea of making your own stuff, so as someone who enjoyed beer (pretty much was just drinking Long Trail and Sierra Nevada type stuff), I figured I would try to do it at home. Learning about the craft and experimenting with new recipes I was opened up to a whole new world of craft beers right on the shelfs of my local bottle shops.
Been brewin' for 9 months now. Live in a 1 bedroom apartment with a crappy stove, my brews still taste awesome. Living in S. Florida I can make saisons year round too! Who needs lagers... Good beer got me into homebrewing. My sister saw my love of good beer and got me a Mr. Beer kit for xmas. Best gift I ever received in my life.
Man, my excuse has always been my apartment...thanks for ruining it for me! Now all I have to lean on is my own laziness.
Started out brewing while still living at home, now doing all grain in my little apartment. Vertical storage is my friend (as well as a very accepting girlfriend!).
I've been brewing for maybe... 6 months? Always wanted to do it, my father did when I was younger, but never really did more than 1 batch I think.. I found all the old carboys and stuff in the basement when I helped them move. Took it all, and my inlaws got me a starter kit, and I went ape shit from there. I've done roughly.... 20 batches so far? I did a couple extract, found out it was easy as hell, I'd fly through a brew day, and make some okay beers, but wasn't crazy about the taste.. Looked into all grain, felt I had more control over my process. Got rolling with that, did a bunch of DIY builds for stuff, and I'm out there mashing and brewing in the mornings and afternoons, and cranking out some great suds. My early extract batches aren't drain pours, people enjoyed them as did I, but they are "drain pour" material compared to whats coming out of my fermenters now. I really enjoy it. It's relaxing for the most part, I get to drink and play with my dogs and the wife outside, and i appreciate beer more. The work involved in a bottle, the details, and the fact that making different beers, and trying new things, I'm more aware of tastes in commercial beers. I can detect off flavors better, hops and yeast profiles, malt bills better.. It's fun actually.
My place is a little older now but luckily the stove is smaller and it is a gas range so I am able to fit my 10 gallon kettle over all 4 burners and get a good boil going relatively quickly. My previous apartment had a larger stove that I could only fit the kettle over 2 burners which led to a less intense boil.
Me and few friends usually brew 3-4 batches a year. Really its more about hanging out and doing something different than the beer. Not that we don't try to make something good but there are better options in stores and probably at a cheaper price when all is said and done.
I'm a former homebrewer too, but it was so many years ago that I count myself as clearly not. I did it for a couple of years and enjoyed it, but I made enough mediocre beer that I thought I would leave it to professionals.
I have been brewing for 4 years and switched to all grain 2 years ago. At this point I am totally hooked!
Have only done 4 extract batches in my life with fairly good results. Doing my first all grain this saturday, cant wait. I dont really think you can be a true connoisseur/expert at tasting beer until you've learned about brewing. That certainly doesnt mean you cant enjoy or appreciate expertly crafted beers. Cheers!
