celestialparsnip
Well-Known Member
I was more taken with this video:
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95% of homebrew pushed off on friends probably deserves a bad reputation.
Brewing beer is easy. Brewing something that can compete with commercially brewed beer and change the mindset of the public is not so easy.
Consider:
- The sheer number of Mr. Beers received as gifts each Christmas.
- Probably 90% (plus) of all homebrew being offered to friends is from a persons first (and last) batch.
- The vast majority of n00b brewers eager to share are probably serving green beer.
- The vast majority of n00b brewers probably have never heard of BJCP guidelines and a choco-raspberry-walnut stout sounds great.
- Serious homebrewers are likely more diligent in refining their product before taking it public.
We (HBT'rs, Club Members, serious competitors...etc.) surround ourselves with quality homebrewers...but we are the minority.
Yes, the sad truth is that anyone can stop by Target tonight, pick up a Mr. Homebrew and brew up a batch of liquid bread before they go to bed tonight.
Sure as **** once it hits the glass, theyre going to want to take it to a party and POW there goes the reputation of the serious homebrew craft.
Its up to the individual homebrewer to impact their circle of influence.
- Develop your skills.
- Brew exceptional beers.
- Cater to your friends current taste before shoving a smoked porter in front of them.
- Take rejection of your beer as a style issue, not a homebrew stigma issue.
I brew beers I like to drink for me. I brew a lot more beers that are rather boring for others (because thats what they like). But those boring beers have won over a lot more homebrew fans.
And finally work at it. This rig took me quite some time to assemble and I didnt need the extra three taps but as a result, there were about 60-70 people who left an anniversary party this summer a lot more educated and enthusiastic about homebrewing than before they pulled the taps.
This thread has made me feel better about my first two batches totally sucking.
I guess I always thought that if you are brimming with confidence about how amazing your first batch was and how people are literally throwing money at you because it was so good, that you actually made good beer. Now I am starting to realize that maybe making really good beer is not easy and takes a lot of effort, work, and practice. Come to think of it - when is that not true in life.
This thread has given me the moral boost I needed to keep going and work harder.
First of all.....CraigTube rocks! I needed a laugh. OMG...I can't even imagine what that stuff tastes like, but, if he likes it, more power to him. Looked like he had a glass of applejuice next to the sink when he was brewing, I assume that was the beer...
I think the Sam Adams home brew adds have helped in the popular acceptance of home brewing. I've met more home brewers in the last year than all of the previous 14 years I've been brewing. And I never get the "will I go blind?" question any more.
The only way to find out is to either (a) buy good micro brews which is difficult given my location
I feel for you man. I used to have to travel to Longview for work, no good beer anywhere. I was happy to find Amber Bock at the Texas Roadhouse.
What he does in the shower has no bearing on the conversation.
Even when I travel, though, I come across stereotypical behavior. In a homebrew store, where I was looking for specific items I needed, I was pretty much ignored where a man buying a kit & kilo set up was asked if he needed anything. I had to ask for some items I couldn't find- I needed malo lactic bacteria cultures, amber malt, certain hops, etc. When I asked, I got responses like, "Oh, what do you need that for little lady? You don't need that!"
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