An open letter to this forum...

More specifically, the "older" guys who have been brewing for a while and are in this forum and help us noobs out...

Two months ago, I got an idea to brew my own beer. My wife figured it was just another of my wild assed hobby ideas and it would pass like all of the rest. We went out and bought a Mr. Beer kit and I came home and brewed that kit. I then did what I always do...I went online and found a forum.

Now, I will find a forum for anything that I am interested in...I have even owned and run a few large forums myself, so I know the information that can be found in forums. Anyway, I Googled home brewing forums and this one came up first. I clicked the link, came here, and started reading and researching and asking questions.

At first, I didnt expect much. I really expected this to be a stuck up group of people who really didnt want to talk to the "noob" who asks too many questions. What I FOUND was the most downhome, laid back group of people I have ever had the pleasure of having a conversation with.

You guys have helped me, you have taught me, you have scolded me (to make me better...and it worked!), and you have taken time to answer any questions that I may have had, no matter how stupid they sounded to you. Did any of you guys HAVE to do this? Hell no, but you took the time out of your brewing and your days and hours to sit in front of your computer and help me and anyone else who has come seeking help. Your knowledge and your advice have helped us to no end. For this, I thank you!

I hope to be able to be considered one of the "older" guys in the next few years as I grow and learn from you people here. I hope that the advice that I have received will let me help that guy who thought he needed a new hobby and decided to pick that Mr. Beer kit up. I can only hope. Until then, I hope you guys will continue to put up with me and my other beginner brethren as we continue to bombard you with questions that Im sure you get tired of hearing.

Having said all of that...I just want to say a great big THANK YOU and I want to wish you ALL a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year. Here is to another great year in 2013...and here is to this forum and the people who visit here and help the new guys! You ALL ROCK!!!

CHEERS!! :rockin::rockin:

Ditto. I'm in the same position and feel the same way

It's because everyone here drinks beer. Beer is supposed to mellow us out!

There really are a lot of great people here, all of whom I would be honored to meet in real life. These great people have tons of knowledge. So, they do deserve a huge THANK YOU!

Happy Holidays to you too. I think kevokie hit it on the head. Just like the 'real' brewers who aren't afraid to share and collaborate on their commercial systems, most in here have a passion for beer. I love when you go to Stone or Oskar Blues, sit down at their pubs and they don't only have their own brews on tap, but ones from the surrounding breweries as well. 99% of us love to help and talk about beer in general. It won't take long til your an "old head" and you'll be answering questions too.

What a great letter. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

It really made me reflect on my beginnings into the hobby a couple years ago. I had the same experiences as you with t this great group of folks. It is almost like a second family.

Merry Christmas

Agreed! Noob, here, too. Great experience on here, completely different than other message boards

Amen to all of the above. Like most or all of us here, I have joined other forums for the other hobbies I've been interested in at the time, were I've been "greeted" with snide remarks, rude comments and out right hate. Probably because they felt I was invading in on something they thought was exclusively theirs. While here I was warmly welcomed given a beer and told to make myself at home. Despite being bombarded with the same questions day after. You all take them in stride and answer them again and again. Maybe because this is more then a hobby. It's more of away of life. We are thinking of our next brew all the while we're enjoying our latest brew. My wife have even given you all a name, you're all "My Beer Buds"

So thank you all, please be safe this Holiday Season, enjoy your family and friends. Cheers!

What a great post!!! Seasons greeting from the great white noth, to all the folks on HB talk! I lurk more than I post ; but you can ask any question on almost any subject and get good honest answers without ridicule from the fine people involved here. A special thanks goes to our moderators for sharing the vast knowledge & making sure things are kept civil! Brew on and MERRY CHRITMAS to all. Cheers:rockin:

Years ago I used to have subscriptions to all kinds of magazines, but now those subscriptions have lapsed over the years due to the plethora of info I find online with forums like this one.

One thing I think the "cyberbrewers" should take into account, especially those new at the craft like myself, is to step back and see what and how the home brewers before the internet got it done. Think about these members here that have been brewing much longer than HBT and other message boards have existed. Those guys/gals didn't have the option to "google it" when they needed to know ways to improve their skills. IMO, it was much harder to be a home brewer in the 80s than today. Technology has spoiled us.

This is true for any hobby, not just home brewing and for that, I'm am truly humbled.

I couldn't agree more. As a noob, this forum is the first place I go for real answers, from real brewers. You don't need to google, to find an article which addresses your question, hiding in a dark corner of the web. No matter how obscure the question, there are numerous people here, ready to start posting specific answers to your question, within minutes.

Having only been brewing for a couple of months, there is no beer or recipe I can't tackle, with the wealth of expertise in this forum. In the modern world of instant information, HBT is my homebrew bible.

GeorgiaTiger i think we are twins or something cause thats exactly how it happened to me. i got the bug after some craft beers and said i want to brew my own. wife looked at me like i had three heads. only thing is i havent brewed yet hoping santas helper took my hints i have left around the house. lol but i find a forum for all my hobbys and this one is by far the best one i am on. nice down to earth people down to answer any questions. havent brewed yet but this place has gotten me ready for when i do. and i got to ask ya georgiatiger is that for LSU. if so geaux tigers were huge tiger fans up here in PA. if not dont mind me lol. thanks senior members and any one who has given advise and merry christmas and happy new year to you all brew on and stay safe.

What a nice thing to say! It's always fun to talk with new brewers. I think that's part of what keeps my passion going.

I think homebrewers are just like any brewers out there. I know quite a few professional brewers and they are also the most helpful and laid back people I know. There are even a couple of "pro" brewers on this forum, and I personally know one that responds quite a bit to questions. You wouldn't know he's a pro, except for his avatar because he was WAY nicer copper equipment behind him that we can afford!

Anyway, I was a new brewer myself when I found this forum. I had been brewing for a while, but never made anything that I could be proud of except for my wines. I had a question about fermentation, as well as a concern about a grommet that fell in the bucket (and I duct taped the airlock in place ) and I was treated so well by folks here that I stuck around.

I went from partial mash brewing to owning an indoor all-electric HERMS, attending the NHCs, and moderating this forum. I figure that the obsession this forum has created has cost me over $7500!

So be careful! It's a slippery slope.

Great letter and I am sure most of us feel the same. I know I do.

This is a GREAT forum. There are a ton of very helpful people that really enjoy helping other brewers solve their problems. When I started here I spent so much time here trying to get as much info as I could about brewing that my wife called it my beer porn.Ther is just a wealth of information on this forum.

The thing I like about this forum is that the tone is very good. Not a lot of snobbery and name calling,but just people trying to help everyone out.

Have a Very Merry New Year and enjoy your new hobby/addiction........

Here here!!
Cheers and more cheers!

I am noob like many. Without the wisdom and openess of this forum I would be struggling. Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and good health in the New Year!

I totally agree! This is by far the most friendly and helpful forum I have ever joined. If not for the wealth of information and helpful people here I might not have made my latest order, NB's patersbier and belgiun dubbel that i hope to brew before New Years.
I want to wish all on Homebrewtalk Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year.

1fast636 said:

and i got to ask ya georgiatiger is that for LSU.

Click to expand...

Normally, LSU is my second favorite team in the NCAA but not at the moment. MY Tigers are in Clemson, SC! All Orange, All in, All of the TIME! GO TIGERS!!

GeorgiaTiger said:

Normally, LSU is my second favorite team in the NCAA but not at the moment. MY Tigers are in Clemson, SC! All Orange, All in, All of the TIME! GO TIGERS!!

Click to expand...

All orange, all the time. I'm down with that. GO VOLS!

TarVolon said:

All orange, all the time. I'm down with that. GO VOLS!

Click to expand...

I said ORANGE...that UT color is monkey vomit orange.

GeorgiaTiger said:

I said ORANGE...that UT color is monkey vomit orange.

Click to expand...

Please. UT wears proper orange. Not that half-red stuff. (Okay, Clemson is maybe only 10% red. Florida wears half-red nonsense)

I'd have to bet that if you met most homebrewers in person and really let them talk about what they do, they'll chat your ears off for days straight. I know I always have to really gauge how much I'm annoying someone when they ask about homebrewing. Here I can just let it rip and geek out. I love that. I find it fascinating that people have been brewing beer for thousands of years and there is still plenty more to talk about and more new brewers to assimilate...eh um..I mean encourage.

Happy holidays everyone and thanks to the OP for the kind words.

Agree 100%! Very amazed at how helpful and supportive everyone is on this forum. I couldn't believe the knowledge I've gained just between my 1st and 2nd batches by just spending some time reading, asking questions and the responses on this forum.

Thank you all very much and Happy Holidays!!!

TarVolon said:

Please. UT wears proper orange. Not that half-red stuff. (Okay, Clemson is maybe only 10% red. Florida wears half-red nonsense)

Click to expand...

The only true orange is Syracuse, they're the freakin' Orangemen!

This forum community is awesome. I used to hang on video game forums when I was younger. They are best descibed as toxic. You guys are the best!

Happy and safe holidays to all HBT members new and old.

Ditto to everything said up to now. The folks on this forum have helped me bunches. I'm sure I've asked a question they've probably heard umpteen times, i'm very much appreciative of the patience I've been shown. I hope that someday I will have gained enuff knowledge and confidence that I can pay it forward as well.

I have to agree with the OP, I couldn't possibly express it better.

Thanks to EVERYBODY who answers our stoooopid noob questions with patience, friendliness and good advice!

GeorgiaTiger said:

...You guys have helped me, you have taught me, you have scolded me (to make me better...and it worked!), and you have taken time to answer any questions that I may have had, no matter how stupid they sounded to you. Did any of you guys HAVE to do this? Hell no, but you took the time out of your brewing and your days and hours to sit in front of your computer and help me and anyone else who has come seeking help. Your knowledge and your advice have helped us to no end. For this, I thank you!...

Click to expand...

Agreed.

Thank you all who have given me advice. I don't always listen, but I have missed some big drawbacks and find new topics to learn about.

I have to figure out cold break and melanoidins - when I get around to it.



You are a great bunch to have on the forum.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

somemofo said:

Having only been brewing for a couple of months, there is no beer or recipe I can't tackle, with the wealth of expertise in this forum. In the modern world of instant information, HBT is my homebrew bible.

Click to expand...

X2

guess we will be seeing a nice game of the tigers her on new years eve. nothing better then college football and great beer. off topic so i'll stop there brew on

Your welcome. PM me for my address so you can send me liquid thank you's

Very nice letter. I've been brewing since I was at Chico State when Grossman was starting up SN and I've never stopped learning. Don't be afraid to try your crazy ideas out either, even if we say you're crazy...you may pave a new brewing road!

Merry Christmas and may Santa bring you lots of cool brewing stuff...so you can come here and make us jealous

Cheers!!

+ 100% with the OP, a BIG THANK YOU to everyone that has helped me.

Cheers and Merry Christmas to All

Agree with you GeorgiaTiger. I think the replies to this wonderful letter say it all. This is a great group. Let's let it show with many a thread-bump!

Agreed, GeorgiaTiger - this forum is so welcoming and helpful! I hope that sometime in the future I'll have enough knowledge to be as helpful as others are here to me.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Peace,
RevZen

Definitely feel the need to express my gratitude and thanks for this site and all the help, advice and knowledge from so many wonderfully friendly and varied people on here.

here's to beer, Christmas cheer and a happily intoxicated new year

Georgia Tiger, your heartfelt and appreciative thread is a shining example of the esprit de corps homebrewers share. In my humble opinion you described perfectly the camaraderie on HBT and why this place is great. Thank you for taking the time to put it in words.

I look forward to reading about your brewing adventures and if ever can help, will do.

You mention you hope to contribute to this place someday. Man, you already have!

Happy Holidays GT, and to all here on HBT!

Well said, Georgia Tiger! I couldn't agree more, and Thanks to all who have answered my questions, too! Can I ask again about the lack of activity in my airlock? Did I ruin my beer??
Happy Holidays!

helibrewer said:

Merry Christmas and may Santa bring you lots of cool brewing stuff...so you can come here and make us jealous

Cheers!!

Click to expand...

I laughed at that! Especially if it's something shiny. I love shiny things!

Other girls get diamonds- last year I got a pH meter!
The year before that I got a Blichmann beergun!

I love being a dork.

I ditched a few forums before finding this gem. Thanks for the great post OP.
Cheers everyone!