Any other recent/to be new Dads?

[RuffRider]

I have an 18 month old daughter who loves to "help" me brew. I remember bottling an Amber Ale the day before she was born though. As I recall, that beer conditioned in the bottle for like two months before I remembered they were stashed away. Didn't brew either. Too tired.

But, once I chilled those suckers and sampled one, I was back in the game. By then, I was ready to make time to brew despite my life changing forever (for the better) with the arrival of my daughter.

I think brewing at bedtime is the easiest way to go...no distractions. Kids are quick and can come up on a hot kettle in the blink of an eye. I'd say they're faster than those boilovers that happen when you turn your head for a split second. No, she hasn't burned herself on my kettle but it sure was close once. Now, I'm paranoid about it.

 

[aiptasia]

I have a 20 month old and a sixteen year old at home. Hard to believe that the youngest is almost two now. Both of my kids don't really mind that I brew, but also don't really help out much. They're the girliest of girly-girls (as their Mother sees fit) and don't like the smell of boiling hops much, so their Mom usually takes them out to the mall or girl scouts meetings or something like that on my brew days.

Advice to the new Dad: Yes, having children will change your life for the better. There will be times when it seems like it's pure hell (sleepless nights the first few months, feedings, etc.) but it's worth it.

 

[JohnnyO]

I'm at the same spot. My 2 1/2 yr old says things like "momma make beer" and wants to "help" a lot. I did two batches in the last 2 weeks. The first was a Sunday and I mashed in around 11 am and was doing the majority of stuff during his nap. Friday night I prepped in the late afternoon and mashed in at 5:45. Ran & got my BF's 10 yr old son from afterschool, made dinner. Heated sparge water, ate, sparged, put kettle on the flame, gave 2 yr old a bath. Did 60 min additions, put kid to bed.... Finished up and cleaning done by 10pm. Passed out on couch at 10:15.

Yikes. That sounds like a very stressful brewday. I guess, for me, I want to enjoy the brewing process AND get tasty beer. I don't think I'd enjoy that so much. Congrats to you for making that work. I hope that you can fit in some less stressful brewdays.

Highlights a point that one of the first posters on this thread made. Brewdays can give you some peace and quiet. My wife always asks if I'm going to invite people over for when I brew. She doesn't understand when I say no.

 

[mcbethenstein]

Yikes. That sounds like a very stressful brewday. I guess, for me, I want to enjoy the brewing process AND get tasty beer. I don't think I'd enjoy that so much. Congrats to you for making that work. I hope that you can fit in some less stressful brewdays.

Highlights a point that one of the first posters on this thread made. Brewdays can give you some peace and quiet. My wife always asks if I'm going to invite people over for when I brew. She doesn't understand when I say no.

Lol. I'm a mom, and this particular brew night was stress free. No tantrums, OR stuck sparges! I am a queen of multitasking. If I'm not juggling 3 things I don't know what to do with myself! After the little guy was in bed I even had time to browse HBT during the boil. I try to be as efficient as possible. Brew days for me are more about the process and science than relaxing... I tend to drink coffee during brew days so my notes are clear. An uninterrupted hour long bath and home spa treatment is relaxing... And that I haven't found time for since my son was born.

 

[mthompson]

Get ready for a whirlwind! Mine turned 6 months yesterday....

He'll go from this:

To this:

....seemingly defying the space-time continuum.



Unfortunately, my brewing time was lost somewhere in the unknown along the trip. I could have easily made time to brew, but after the last two brew sessions went south fast with system problems, I needed to take a break anyway.

I did just pull out my pump to start troubleshooting it....

 

[fifthcircle]

YO! Brewing dad here too.

I have a 20mo old son, and a baby girl that will be here on or before Feb 5th.

I'm excited to have my wife home for Feb and March....should be able to sneak in some brewing during the day. If I can stay awake I am going to try a few test batch 1 and 2 gal recipes on the stove, instead of taking half a day brewing 5gal in the garage.

BTW, I'm a SAHD (stay at home dad). Any others?

-Cheers, Kurt

 

[kpr121]

Well! Our little boy was brought to us a few days early! 7 lbs 15 oz (god bless my wife and her 3 hrs of pushing)! It was the greatest experience in my life and I'm still high on adrenaline after about 3 hrs of sleep since early Monday morning.

I just wanted to share pics of my little brew buddy with my HBT community!

 

[passedpawn]

i have 2 girls, 4 and 2. this is the 2 yr old and her neighbor friend (who's dad is also a home brewer) checking out the mash tun. at this age they are not much real help but they sure are cute.

Adorable. ( the dad in me is worried about the cut keggle edge, but I'll bet the dad in you did too )

 

[passedpawn]

Well! Our little boy was brought to us a few days early! 7 lbs 15 oz (god bless my wife and her 3 hrs of pushing)! It was the greatest experience in my life and I'm still high on adrenaline after about 3 hrs of sleep since early Monday morning.

I just wanted to share pics of my little brew buddy with my HBT community!

Wow! Contrats! KPR121 jr.

 

[lebucheron]

My Honey is 33 weeks! Gotta get my brewing equipment while we still have money!
Very excited for our first born (boy). I was thinking ergo carrier for brewing/babysitting...

 

[mammothkraken]

I have a 2.5 year old assistant brewer. He's great. My beer intake didn't suffer after he was born but i was on a brewing hiatus then.

Just tell the mother that beers, especially hoppy ones, help with breastmilk production and you'll have her on board for you to brew her a "mothers little helper"!

 

[Tizzomes]

First off congratulations! I have 2 young kids a 2 year old and a 8 month old. I was in the same predicament. I thought my brewing days were numbered. I found night brewing was the way to go. There in bed by 8 and my wife at that point could care less what I'm doing in the garage at that point.
Midnight Brewers United!!!

 

[osagedr]

Kids are: almost 9; 5; 2; and 6 weeks. I still brew constantly. SWMBO is very understanding & patient.

 

[outside92129]

Congrats! Intake hasn't changed much but output has diminished as has gear modifications. Kids are great, i just wish there was more time in the day to do both!

 

[timduncan200021]

I just did my first brew in a mr beer set up. I have a 16 yr old a 6 yr old and a 5 yr old. It was very adventurous not because of any brewing mistakes but because of that small 2-3 hr window of opportunity that I left my kids to even touch my beer they did. Here is the link https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/my-first-brew-ruined-380210/

 

[Gduck]

BTW, I'm a SAHD (stay at home dad). Any others?

-Cheers, Kurt

yup, I do the SAHD thing here. My wife always had the better job so it just made sense for me to stay home. I do still work part time on weekends and the occasional weeknight, but my primary job is child wrangling.

 

[fifthcircle]

yup, I do the SAHD thing here. My wife always had the better job so it just made sense for me to stay home. I do still work part time on weekends and the occasional weeknight, but my primary job is child wrangling.

Sweet! It's a growing "trend", especially with the cost of daycare.

 

[NeighborsBrewingCo]

I'm currently doing the stay at home dad business with my little guy, while waiting on the police academy to start. It's actually great to spend so much time with him now.

 

[I-Hop]

Congrats on your new addition to the family! We've got a 2.5 y.o. son and 10 month twins (boy/girl). It's been maybe 1.5 years since I've brewed, but we threw in a move in between births just to add to the stress level. If it weren't for the packing/unpacking, etc that was involved with the move, it may not have been so long. I do miss the brewing, but I wouldn't change a thing! I am moving closer to having my setup back in place for future brews and am looking forward to it in the near future.

 

[fifthcircle]

So, you had 3 kids in diapers, and moved. You poor bastard!

When to brew?
Yesterday I brewed two batches, overlapping. I started when my son went down for his nap, and my wife came home an hour later. She took care of him the rest of the day, so I got a nice break from the fatherly duties. It was nice to hang out in the garage for 7hrs with football on the TV, and a bit of Brewing Network on at the end. I probably should have rolled up the hose and brought it in the garage when I was done....it's frozen to the ground now... LOL!

 

[HawksBrewer]

Congrats on the new addition. My wife and I have almost 5 month old boy/girl twins. Had one good brew day since they were born, but it was 2 - 10 gal batches so supply hasn't been an issue. Speaking of which, I've got some 2-row just begging to be milled.

 

[Calichusetts]

Baby boy is almost 10 months old. Consumption had taken I nose dive...which isn't helping my "one new beer a day" challenge. Brewing is spotty at best, then again a week off from work used to mean 5+ batches so I guess I can't complain. I brew around holidays, special events, or when the wifey takes off for some play date. Nothing like it was, but it never is with kids...all for the better:

 

[JoeShmo]

I have a 14 month old lil dude, and another on the way. Beer intake has gone WAY down, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I just started home brewing after the wife got me a brewers best starter kit for xmas. I don't think she had any idea what kind of monster she would create but the damage is done. our lil man can't say many words, but beer is one of them, or "beh" as he says it while pointing to the carboy. Anyway, I don't think the wife realized what a great gift this would be. If I can't drink in quantity anymore, at least I'll drink quality!

 

[BrewMonkster]

yup, I do the SAHD thing here. My wife always had the better job so it just made sense for me to stay home. I do still work part time on weekends and the occasional weeknight, but my primary job is child wrangling.

Another SAHD HERE!! I don't see anything wrong with being one either!!! I have a 3 going on 30 year old!!! Lol!!! Even though I'm only on my first brew, he keeps asking me to make chocolate beer!! Lol!! I've brought home Rouge Double Chocolate Stout!! Not to change the subject, anyone have a clone recipe for it!! Lol!!!

 

[JohnnyO]

Baby boy is almost 10 months old. Consumption had taken I nose dive...which isn't helping my "one new beer a day" challenge. Brewing is spotty at best, then again a week off from work used to mean 5+ batches so I guess I can't complain. I brew around holidays, special events, or when the wifey takes off for some play date. Nothing like it was, but it never is with kids...all for the better:

That is an awesome pic! Pretty sure that is what I look like most days at work.

 

[patthebrewer]

The Wife is currently 6 months pregnant with #4, a girl due in May.Can't wait to meet her. My son and I are severely outnumbered, even the Dog is a girl...


Also a SAHD...I just have a little side business, that seems to be growing.

 

[FalconsBrew]

We just had our first child in July. She is 6 months old. They will definitely change your view on life, that is for sure.

 

[40watt]

My three year old boy and five year old girl love tohelp. I'm a single dad, so we crank some rock and roll and have a good time. They get me distracted sometimes, but I love having them there.

They have both tasted beer. My girl goes around saying "beer is good"! Can't wait till she says that at school. I didn't tell her to keep her mouth shut, because I didn't want her to think it was a big deal.
My kids are so rock and rock. They are awesome.

 

[BeerCrafter2011]

2 year old. I average 5 gallons brewed per month. Some of my tips are schedule in advance with your significant other, do a double brewday on father's day and possibly your birthday. Also, setup the night before and start real early in the day. Good luck, I just got vomited on last night at 12:30. Not new born vomit.. Two year old I love being a dad, don't regret it ever. I just know he'll want to help at some point.

 

[PhelanKA7]

They have both tasted beer. My girl goes around saying "beer is good"! Can't wait till she says that at school. I didn't tell her to keep her mouth shut, because I didn't want her to think it was a big deal.

My parents let me taste beer at that age and let me drink half-pints around the age of 10 on up during special occasions. Unlike a lot of my peers I have never had issues with DUIs or alcoholism.

I learned and I was taught from a very young age that beer can be responsibly consumed at a certain threshold and enjoyed like any beverage... Drinking a beer or two at most during mealtime is a normal thing. Drinking a glass of water or iced tea at mealtime is a normal thing. Drinking 5 beers or 5 iced teas or glasses of water at mealtime is sorta weird. Don't do it.. Duh. That is the essence of moderation and that is why we have such an epidemic of BINGE drinking in the United States. Drinking that much of ANYTHING is really, really dumb and unhealthy.

As far as hard alcohol is concerned it was approached as something consumed only during special and rare occasions. I think that is a different topic from what I was getting at and because I really don't drink hard alcohol at all I'm probably not the best person to espouse it's responsible consumption.