Newest Threads

**petep1980** · 10-15-2012, 03:22 AM

I've been home brewing for about 4 years now, and I have completely hit the wall.

How do you guys keep it exciting and interesting? I just bottled an IPA tonight and the thought of the rigors of another batch of beer just does not excite me.

What do you gentlemen do when you hit the wall?

Phunhog · 10-15-2012, 03:41 AM

Well if you still bottle that is enough to make any of us quit!! Time to get into kegging! As I am sure you know it is sooooo much easier and faster than bottling. Besides that...start brewing for others. Ask what they would like to drink. One of the joys of homebrewing for me is sharing it with friends and family. How about brewing styles that you have never tried before? On my "to brew list" are a Scottish 80/, Biere de Garde, and a California Common.

**petep1980** · 10-15-2012, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phunhog

Well if you still bottle that is enough to make any of us quit!! Time to get into kegging! As I am sure you know it is sooooo much easier and faster than bottling. Besides that...start brewing for others. Ask what they would like to drink. One of the joys of homebrewing for me is sharing it with friends and family. How about brewing styles that you have never tried before? On my "to brew list" are a Scottish 80/, Biere de Garde, and a California Common.

No one I know is into craft beer. It's pathetic. My friends all drink either Bud Light Lime, Bud Light, or Keystone Light.

Bricks41 · 10-15-2012, 03:54 AM

Getting people to realize there is beer out there beyond the mass produced watery beer is the most difficult part in my opinion.... is everyone resistant to taste your HB?

Sharing your creations with those around you is probably one of the best part.... 2nd to making your own beer that tastes better than most commercially distributed product.

Mongrel · 10-15-2012, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petep1980

I've been home brewing for about 4 years now, and I have completely hit the wall.

How do you guys keep it exciting and interesting? I just bottled an IPA tonight and the thought of the rigors of another batch of beer just does not excite me.

What do you gentlemen do when you hit the wall?

I'll have to agree with the other poster who suggested kegging. I surprised a lot of my friends by making it through 23 batches before I made the switch.

But if you've really hit the wall, take a break. The best motivator I've had was having my pipeline run dry.

MattHollingsworth · 10-15-2012, 06:08 AM

Find new stuff to perk your interest. Dunno if you've read it already, but perhaps try Radical Brewing, Randy Mosher's book. Lot of fun ideas in there. Make some weird beers. You have nothing to lose and might stumble upon something interesting. Don't bother with making stuff that you can already buy, make something unusual instead.

Mongrel · 10-15-2012, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattHollingsworth

but perhaps try Radical Brewing, Randy Mosher's book.

Even if you don't brew a single recipe in this book, it will inspire you.

**Leadgolem** · 10-15-2012, 06:37 AM

Say ouch, and look around to see who pushed me.

You could try making some wine/mead/cider instead. The typical process is somewhat different for each one, and each is interesting in it's own way.

MattHollingsworth · 10-15-2012, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mongrel

Even if you don't brew a single recipe in this book, it will inspire you.

Yup. I don't follow other people's recipes at all, just read them for information. This book is FULL of information on all sorts of alternative brewing.

**dannyhawkins** · 10-15-2012, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petep1980

No one I know is into craft beer. It's pathetic. My friends all drink either Bud Light Lime, Bud Light, or Keystone Light.

You should make it a point to brew a beer they like. I would make some weak ass cream ale but load the mash tun with midnight wheat or de-bittered black at the end so it's really dark SRM and little to no flavor contribution. Then force them to taste it blind, thus tricking them into liking it. Then have them taste one of their favorites blind along side other BMC to really mess with them. They most likely cant pick out their own favorite. So when their minds are blown you offer to educate them in the ways of real beer.

Or just get more friends find a brewing club or something to keep you going, some like to do competitions.