id say that since I have been brewing my own beer that the store beer here in my town has not changed at all. they still taste the same the only thing that's not the same is how I now don't have to put up with the ones I don't like. I can make my own light beer so that's fine for me but to...
I agree 100% with the fact that if you wait then it will be great. that's how I brew my ciders. right now I have 5 ciders going and 3 of them are apple. the hydrometer is a must for sure as you cant really be sure about the ABV or if your 100% done with fermentation.
as for the taste and so on...