Wow, great posts!
I set my standard at did I enjoy drinking it. 3 of the last 4 I was super happy with. The 4th I was experimenting heavily with and it just didn't work. It's still beer and drinkable but certainly not something I would share without a "preface".
Hello Brewers! Do you always get it right?! Dump a few batches? Mend and fix?
Background - Of the last 4 brews I did 1 came out not to my liking. It just wasn't good. That would put me in the 75% good brew category. I haven't dumped it yet but it is a candidate.
So what's your brew success ratio?
This is possibly the most delightful thread I have read here! I can almost "see" you going through the process. Simply amazing and my hat is off to you!
4 hours after pitch...:ban:
I do because its fun! The kids get a great science lesson and I get to drink the beer out of the hydrometer flask at different stages.
I also intentionally mess with my beers and their ABV. What a fun way to learn.
I spray water with a little dish soap on all the fittings. It will bubble anywhere there is a leak.
Kegging is a lot of fun to tinker with also. I try different carbing techniques, pressures, line lengths. It's almost a hobby in itself.
Ok - Here is the easiest beer I ever brewed: American Light Beer
Here is the kit I brewed it with: Kit
All you need to know is in the instructions in the box. Really simple and better than the stores you mentioned.