Anyone's SWMBO have major issues with the smell of brewing?

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Cheapo

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Mine absolutely refuses to let me brew while she's sleeping....or the kids are home...or when she's awake, because it's such a major inconvenience to her. I had to cancel my brew day I told her about in advance because she wasn't going anywhere...
 
Mine absolutely refuses to let me brew while she's sleeping....or the kids are home...or when she's awake, because it's such a major inconvenience to her. I had to cancel my brew day I told her about in advance because she wasn't going anywhere...

No way I would have complied. This is very inconsiderate...

Next time she goes crazy like that, call some friends to meet at the nearest strip club.
 
No, aside from the fact that mine wants to sneak a taste every 45 minutes post-fermentation.
 
When I don't clean the mash tun for 3 days and the grain sits gettin funky, yeah, otherwise no. Mine's problem is the fact that I won't let her cook food while I brew/bottle to keep the contaminant aromas to a minimum. (she uses a lot of pungent spice, so, my position makes sense)
 
Mine absolutely refuses to let me brew while she's sleeping....or the kids are home...or when she's awake, because it's such a major inconvenience to her. I had to cancel my brew day I told her about in advance because she wasn't going anywhere...

So you are never allowed to brew? :D
Get set up to brew outside or in the garage. Give a little / take a little, I think going outside would be a fair compromise. And why not when the kids are home but she's not - unless they complain too, then tell them that sometimes in life there are things you don't like but have to put up with.
 
My SWMBO starts complaining a few hours after I drink the homebrew... THAT's the smell that gets me in trouble.
 
You tell her that is your house too and she can't dictate everything around the house! I'm lucky enough that my wife supports my hobby! So it is easy for me to tell you to tell your wife to take a hike but I understand. Hopefully she'll come around! Don't give her all that power! A household is run by two people when they are married!!
 
You tell her that is your house too and she can't dictate everything around the house! I'm lucky enough that my wife supports my hobby! So it is easy for me to tell you to tell your wife to take a hike but I understand. Hopefully she'll come around! Don't give her all that power! A household is run by two people when they are married!!

Exactly.

Not about this issue but there has been a couple of times that I have had to tell the Mrs. I am a grown man and me informing you I am doing something is a courtesy not your opportunity to think you are my mother and can dictate what I do. Whether it be mtn biking, going to a strip club with some friends, brewing etc, marriage isn't about one bossing the other around.

Honestly if I was you I would have handed her the car keys and said, "if you like I will call you when I am done, but whether you stay or go I'm brewing today."
 
Mine absolutely refuses to let me brew while she's sleeping....or the kids are home...or when she's awake, because it's such a major inconvenience to her. I had to cancel my brew day I told her about in advance because she wasn't going anywhere...

Thats not cool. Definitely see about moving outside/garage.

I have brewed when she and the kids are asleep (both inside and outside). She has no issues so long as I can help with the kids and around the house the next day. So far she has not complained about the smell of coffee all day.
 
Mine isn't a fan of the smell, she says it smells like dog food. However she has never given me grief about it or even hinted that she would rather I didn't brew. Actually I typically ask her in the morning if she is going to the Casino (Reservation style) since I'll just be brewing all day anyway. :)
 
My wife hates the smell of brewing which is why I brew in the garage. I've been doing that for 10 yrs without issue. I actually couldn't imagine brewing indoors. I am the type that would make a bigger mess when cleaning so it's nice to just hose the garage floor when done. I can't imagine how I would clean the kitchen after brewing.
 
Mine absolutely refuses to let me brew while she's sleeping....or the kids are home...or when she's awake, because it's such a major inconvenience to her. I had to cancel my brew day I told her about in advance because she wasn't going anywhere...

My wife doesn't like the smell of brewing (yet likes the end product), therefore she encouraged me to upgrade whatever was needed to brew outside. She also didn't like my idea to convert my fermentation chest freezer into a keezer since it works well as is and suggested to me that I just buy a bigger kegerator. I think I'll keep her.
 
Use the power of your wifes remarks to your advantage. I call it marriage jujitsu. "Yes, you are right. I need to find a way not to get the house smelling like a brewery". Order that new propane burner, get that brew cart, build that brew shed, find a spot in the back yard or garage. After all you are doing it for her and the kids. The sacrifices we will make for our families.:)
 
Mine doesn't complain about the smell because I have brewed outside from the beginning. She doesn't think it smells bad anyway though. She does get testy if the kids are going nuts. I bumped up to 10 gallon batches so I wouldn't have to brew as often.
 
My wife dislikes the smell but I pay the rent so...

Today was my first brew day on my propane burner which was a win win for both of us cause I did t have to listen to her and the kids and she didn't have to smell it!
 
A gal who works for me can't stand the smell of mash but loves the first hop addition and is fine after that.
 
You should do decoctions - the smell is just phenomenal!

Funnily enough though, when I was a kid growing up near Cologne (Germany) I really hated the smell that came from the breweries. I think nowadays I'd be drawn there instead :mug:
 
My wife has always disliked the smell of brewing beer. A few years ago I opted to get a burner and I now brew outdoors.

I also have to brew my yeast starters while she is away from the house. Even the smell of a cup of DME boiling for a few minutes offends her.

I recently acquired two pounds of very cheesy smelling 3 and 7 year old leaf hops for brewing sours. They were stored up in a closet up in our room-over-garage in a brown paper bag. They now reside in the attic.
 
I don't understand how so many women don't like the smell of brewing. It's like... fresh baked goods.. and then the hops. I love the smell of brew day.

However, that was quite rude and inconsiderate of her. You should have brewed anyway. She's your wife, not your mother, and she needs to compromise too.
 
My wife loves the smell of mash. She thinks it smells like Grape Nuts...one of her favorite cereals growing up.
 
I think I turned a corner on my weekend brew. I brew in the garage and my wife has always complained about the smell during the boil, but on Saturday she said, "I don't mind the smell so much this time". :D
 
bennie1986 said:
My wife dislikes the smell but I pay the rent so...

Today was my first brew day on my propane burner which was a win win for both of us cause I did t have to listen to her and the kids and she didn't have to smell it!

Moving outside, time to up the game! Moving from the stovetop to outdoors is quite a milestone I think. My wife hates the smell of hops boiling, about doesn't seem to mind if I make a starter indoors. Now I do that outdoors though because I can heat the flask on the propane grill side burner. Won't heat on the stovetop.

TD
 
Mine wasn't happy about it the first few times, but she's gotten more accustomed to it. Occasionally she'll still gripe when I throw in a big hit of hops, but otherwise she's very accepting.
 
My wife has been strangely supportive with my brewing and collection of brew gear as long as I meet three conditions:

1) I don't make her smell boiling hops.
2) I don't make a mess in the kitchen, or I clean up said mess.
3) I don't collect a bunch of equipment that is nice to have, but rarely gets used, hence cluttering up the garage, basement, etc...

So, I've started brewing more outside, except for small batch BIAB which is usually on the stove with the fan going. Bottling is always inside with a protective covering on the floor. I think she realizes how much fun I'm having and wants to encourage my happiness.
 
my wife drinks more of my brew than I do (one a day tops for me), so she is very OK with the smell....what's not to like anyway????
 
Fairly new to the site. I know you're referring to the wife or gf but what does this stand for?
 
I wish my Wife would require I build a brew shed. I'd do so in a heartbeat, but we're on a tight budget these days.

My Wife and oldest kid don't like the smell of hops, however they do support my hobby b/c the Wife likes a beer every now and then. I usually let them know in advance when my brew days are, and since I do mostly small batch brewing these days, I do BIAB on the kitchen stove. With plenty of advanced notice, they can arrange to do whatever "girl time" thing they want to do (shopping, movie, etc.). Since I tend to be a focused, perfectionist freak when I brew, it's a win/win.

The only caveat is they have to take our 2 year old with them. Winning!
 
Well it's brew night tonight, she's not home. I decided to do a quick one tonight and split it in halves to secondary onto fruit. Half apricot, half raspberry :) haven't done anything different aside from pumpkin so nows the time :)
 
My SWMBO supports my hobby but can't stand the smell of brew day. I'vd always brewed outside anyway so no big deal. She likes the smell of finished beer (even though she hates the taste) so I bottle inside with no issues.

But to the bigger point, I just don't understand why some people don't like the smell! It's truly one of my favorite parts. Reminds me of a bakery or pizza place. SWMBO thinks it smells like "kitty litter." I can't imagine how her nose could be so confused.
 
This is nuts! I've said before and ill say it again. For the guys whose wive are their boss/ owner- you should have interviewed better!
 
SMWMBO mother HATES the smell of converting mash, says she cant enjoy the sun on these beautiful days.

...then the hops go in and she cant stop bugging me for samples.
 
Well I did a bit of an experiment and only let it return to a boil, then took it off the heat. Its extract anyway so its prehopped, and I'll be interested to see if it turns out the same or at least close to. If it does then I can brew at night with blessings from the wife (wife as of sunday at 3) and not have issues. Anyone tried this?
 
Well I did a bit of an experiment and only let it return to a boil, then took it off the heat. Its extract anyway so its prehopped, and I'll be interested to see if it turns out the same or at least close to. If it does then I can brew at night with blessings from the wife (wife as of sunday at 3) and not have issues. Anyone tried this?

No because once you try using fresh hops, even when brewing with extract, you never want to use those crappy prehopped extract kits ever again...
 
I feel sorry for most of you. Not only did my wife buy my mill, she encourages me to brew anytime I want. She also also loves the smell of the uncrushed grains, the milled grains, the mash and the boil. I brew outside and she misses the smell from when I when I first started and brewed inside. I toasted grains for an upcoming ESB last week and she loved the way it made the house smell. I guess I am just lucky.
 
After this growing season is fresh hops, they're growing like crazy! So I have time for her to get accustomed to the smell before then, and then when i go all grain (I already have the mash tun cooler) it won't be a big shock. Any difference between the smell of all grain malting versus extract?
 
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