This weekend I finally had my "I Got It" moment.
It's that moment when homebrewing makes sense to you, in a way that is more than just repeating facts or recommending a way to do things because that's the accepted way it is done.
It's when homebrewing is more than conversion tables and steps you take to make better beer.
My moment was this past Saturday. We were on vacation and my wife thought it would be nice to go to a local brew pub and grab a quick drink. I like Stouts more than any other style, so I always sample whatever the local brewery has when I get a chance.
We're sitting there, my wife and I each with a Vanilla Stout, the kids having a local rootbeer (it was a family friendly place). I took a taste and didn't much care for it. My wife being perceptive asked me what I thought of it.
Not wanting to be an ass, I just said quietly to her that it was ok, but I honestly think I make a better one. She agreed but then asked me why I think mine was better.
Without going too deeply into it, as I didn't want to be a beer snob in a brewpub, I said that what we were drinking was too thin and had too much roast malt in it.
THAT was my moment, I finally could understand not only what I didn't like about a beer, but also how I could fix it.
Granted, it may not be an earth shattering, reality altering moment, but I feel like I understand brewing on a better level now, and not just in a way where I can repeat what I have read because that is the accepted way.
Anyone else care to share their moment?
It's that moment when homebrewing makes sense to you, in a way that is more than just repeating facts or recommending a way to do things because that's the accepted way it is done.
It's when homebrewing is more than conversion tables and steps you take to make better beer.
My moment was this past Saturday. We were on vacation and my wife thought it would be nice to go to a local brew pub and grab a quick drink. I like Stouts more than any other style, so I always sample whatever the local brewery has when I get a chance.
We're sitting there, my wife and I each with a Vanilla Stout, the kids having a local rootbeer (it was a family friendly place). I took a taste and didn't much care for it. My wife being perceptive asked me what I thought of it.
Not wanting to be an ass, I just said quietly to her that it was ok, but I honestly think I make a better one. She agreed but then asked me why I think mine was better.
Without going too deeply into it, as I didn't want to be a beer snob in a brewpub, I said that what we were drinking was too thin and had too much roast malt in it.
THAT was my moment, I finally could understand not only what I didn't like about a beer, but also how I could fix it.
Granted, it may not be an earth shattering, reality altering moment, but I feel like I understand brewing on a better level now, and not just in a way where I can repeat what I have read because that is the accepted way.
Anyone else care to share their moment?