I took up home brewing in January of this year. Started with an Irish Red Ale. This was followed in quick succession by a Boston Stock Ale, German Wheat Beer and English Nut Brown Ale. Two days ago I started 5 gallons of Ed Wort's Apfelwein.
Everything I have tried has worked out beautifully. I am getting more confident with each batch and am getting better and better organized.
I like trying the differne beer styles.
I like observing the fermentation process and how it varies from one project to the next.
I like the feeling that I am unchained from local, commercially available products.
I like knowing that there really are no limit . . . . . thast the future holds further vistas including graduating to kegs, recipe design, growing my own hops and all-grain brewing.
I like tinkering and designing and this hobby offers unlimited possibilities to the creative mind.
I like drinking beer . . . . and I really like drinking beer that I have created.
Life is good.
__________________
Regards,
hellbender
On Deck: Hefeweizen
Primary: English Pale Ale, Apfelwein, Graff
Secondary: English Bitter
Drinking: Apfelwein, Amber Ale
Do you still giggle just a little when you take a sip and realize that warm and fuzzy feeling coming over you is your own creation?
I left it off the list, but I think one of the things that I really like about the hobby is the spirit of adventure; the anticipation and the element of uncertainty involved in waiting for and finally tasting the end producxt of your efforts. I am a planner by nature. The time lag between the brewing and enjoyment of the mature product heightens the enjoyment of the hobby. It is very seductive.
__________________
Regards,
hellbender
On Deck: Hefeweizen
Primary: English Pale Ale, Apfelwein, Graff
Secondary: English Bitter
Drinking: Apfelwein, Amber Ale
Thats the truth! I started brewing in early March and I was finally able to really enjoy my first batch tonight (the home brew was flowing!). This hobby just makes sense for those who love beer and also love creating things. I, like you, am thoroughly addicted.
__________________ Primary: Secondary: Bottled: Lots of stuff On tap: Hefeweizen, Centennial Blonde Up next: Quality Beverages
I too am relatively new and it's a GREAT distraction from the busy life to focus on beer and the information and history of beer types as you make them.
I just tasted my first 5 gallon batch that I brewed on 2/13/08 and it's INCREDIBLE. I can't get over just how good it is, it's not even fully carbonated yet and it's delicious (I only bottled 6 days ago).
Back on the subject - whenever I brew a new beer type, I research it so that I can explain the history to my taste testers while they're sampling. I think that makes it even more GREAT if there is such a thing.
Now, on the downside......bottling sucks, it's messy, time consuming, and just downright tiresome. I'll be moving to kegging VERY soon.