Would you still buy beer?

thedigitale · 07-09-2009, 01:51 PM

I've seen a lot of people say things like "Wow, you must never have to buy beer!" both on these boards, and when I tell people I homebrew, so I was wondering...

For those of you who have a full pipeline, have you stopped buying commercial?

For those that don't yet, would you stop buying commercial beer if you had a full pipeline?

I personally could have a dozen beers on tap at home and would still run out for a commercial 6 now and then. There's beers out there that I like, and plenty I haven't tried, so why not drink them. In addition, I am able to take things I like from a commercial beer and incorporate it into my own.

Just wondering what everyone else thinks.

sparkyaber · 07-09-2009, 02:02 PM

I still would buy commercial for the times when I don't have a glass pour into. An example would be fishing, or any time in a boat for that matter, also at the beach where no glass is allowed, etc.

I would defiantly head to the liquor store if there is something new that I HAVE to try!

**conpewter** · 07-09-2009, 02:10 PM

I still buy commercial sometimes. I don't have all styles on tap and never will. Sometimes I just get a craving for something different. Plus there is always "Research Purposes"

MMW · 07-09-2009, 02:10 PM

Even when I get a full pipeline I doubt I'll stop buying commercial beers. There are some things of which I want but just not in 5 (or even 3) gallon quantities. I'll just buy those in limited quantities when the mood strikes.

I thought IPA was going to fall in that category, but the more of them I drink the more I want...

rsmith179 · 07-09-2009, 02:14 PM

I still buy commercial beers. I love to get new ideas, experience new tastes, etc. Seasonals are my favorite to purchase. Great Lakes Christmas Ale will be a staple in my household come later this fall. Sam Adam's Summer Ale is in the fridge as we speak. Just because I make beer, doesn't mean I can't still buy some. Once I figure out good "clones" for the two afforementioned beers, I may not purchase them anymore, but there's always something new out there to try.

Hambone · 07-09-2009, 02:15 PM

I dont' have a full pipeline either, but even if I did, I wouldn't stop buying commercial beers. There are too many great beers out there to try. Research, my friend, research!

chthonik · 07-09-2009, 02:17 PM

There are too many great beers out there to NOT buy commercial beer. I'm often inspired to try something new by a commercial beer I try.

**IrregularPulse** · 07-09-2009, 02:18 PM

The only commercial beer I've bought this summer is the BMC for a Float trip and camping. I will still buy commerical, but just haven't this summer.

ajwillys · 07-09-2009, 02:26 PM

I still buy commercial beer but my buying has changed. I now only buy seasonals or specialties or something I've never had before. I don't remember the last time I bought a sixer of SNPA, which used to be my favorite but that's because I have a pretty good replacement on tap at all times.

I also will usually buy one or two bottles of something before I brew a recipe in that style. I like to compare my beers against commercial examples.

flyangler18 · 07-09-2009, 02:30 PM

Homebrew is the staple, but I still buy plenty of commercial for special releases and general enjoyment.

Don't kid yourself - you'll still buy commercial either as a way to benchmark your own version of a style or because you aren't able with your system to brew it (i.e. lagers for me).

YMMV.