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zeg · 12-12-2012, 07:14 PM

I don't really see the need to be irritated by complex recipes. In some cases, sure, it's needless precision. In others, it's quite the opposite. To grab an example from upthread, the 13 pounds 9.2 ounces of malt might indicate an obsession with precision. However, it could just as well be someone who knows he's going to read that recipe later and round it to 13.5 pounds and hasn't bothered to clean it up in his software.

**DonMagee** · 12-13-2012, 08:05 PM

Some of my most complex recipes have come from tweaking a basic recipe (or even a smash).

Start off with a nice simple smash pale ale and think, this would be good if it was a bit darker in color and a tad more carmel, so I add carmel. Now we have a standard pale ale, then I think, man the head retension on this still sucks, so I add some other malt. Then I think, I really wish it was darker in color or more roasty, etc. Soon I have 4-5 malts or multiple hops,etc.

It can get out of control, but it can also brew some good beer.

**Leadgolem** · 12-14-2012, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonMagee

Some of my most complex recipes have come from tweaking a basic recipe (or even a smash).

Start off with a nice simple smash pale ale and think, this would be good if it was a bit darker in color and a tad more carmel, so I add carmel. Now we have a standard pale ale, then I think, man the head retension on this still sucks, so I add some other malt. Then I think, I really wish it was darker in color or more roasty, etc. Soon I have 4-5 malts or multiple hops,etc.

It can get out of control, but it can also brew some good beer.

I don't think anyone really has a problem with that. Each addition has some specific reason behind it. What annoys most people is the horribly complex recipe that has been created by someone who simply like to tinker with their brewing software.

That reminds me of a car I was looking at once. The manufacturer had gone so far as to replace the leather around the stick so as to save 2 oz in weight...... I walked away after hearing that, I'm just not interested in something that fussy.

**emjay** · 12-14-2012, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leadgolem

I don't think anyone really has a problem with that. Each addition has some specific reason behind it. What annoys most people is the horribly complex recipe that has been created by someone who simply like to tinker with their brewing software.

Meh. The only thing that really irritates me is the *mass* of people posting recipes before they've even ever brewed them. I'm more than capable of putting together my own recipes, but it makes it a bit difficult for anyone to find solid recipes, or for people to have their *actually* tried-and-true recipes noticed. It's most irritating when people post their CLONE recipes without ever having even brewed them... they don't even know if it'll actually turn out anything like the commercial beer they're trying to clone. It's a common practice, but it just blows me away...

Seedly · 12-14-2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by germanmade84

Yeah thats what i mean, if beer had to be so detailed it would not have lasted all these years and become so prevalent. I only use at most 2 hops and 2 malts in any batch because i feel when u go beyond that u start to create a science project, not beer.

url[=http://www.instructables.com/id/Brewing-Beer-With-Science/]

[/url]
(not mine, but hilariously relevant for the image alone)

That said, there was a poll on here asking if HBTers were engineers or non-engineers. 40% of our population self-reported as engineers. That alone should tell you why they are being so maddeningly precise! If you read through the comments, youll notice that there is a large majority of HBT that is in scientific, but non-engineering, fields.

All that said, beer is kinda like a science project when you think about it...a rather tasty science project. A heaping helping of Chemistry, some O-Chem, and a side of Biology...yep, seems like science to me!

jerrodm · 12-14-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seedly

url[=http://www.instructables.com/id/Brewing-Beer-With-Science/]

[/url]
(not mine, but hilariously relevant for the image alone)

That said, there was a poll on here asking if HBTers were engineers or non-engineers. 40% of our population self-reported as engineers. That alone should tell you why they are being so maddeningly precise! If you read through the comments, youll notice that there is a large majority of HBT that is in scientific, but non-engineering, fields.

All that said, beer is kinda like a science project when you think about it...a rather tasty science project. A heaping helping of Chemistry, some O-Chem, and a side of Biology...yep, seems like science to me!

This is true, and one of the big reasons that it appeals to me. I love the sciency aspects of it. Honestly, I wouldn't even be that bummed out if my beer was mediocre (which, occasionally, it is)--the fact that I get pretty damn good beer from what's essentially a big science experiment has always been a source of endless amusement to me!

germanmade84 · 12-14-2012, 02:27 PM

I do love the science behind it i have to admit, especially the yeast aspect.

germanmade84 · 12-14-2012, 02:28 PM

Yeast and step mash technique, absolutly love it.

**GrogNerd** · 12-14-2012, 02:36 PM

magic little beasties turning sweet water into alcohol

what's not to love?

I like the science part, but the scientist in me loves the art/craft part of it; balancing the left & right sides of the brain, like hop bitterness balancing malty sweetness.

hiphops · 12-14-2012, 02:40 PM

simple = better. one of my best IPA's was a single hopped IPA.