Anyone else have really thirsty friends?

[Phunhog]

My friends know proper etiquette......i freely give away beer....and they reciprocate the favor at some point with what they have.

 

[northcal]

I've seen home made versions of this, could be what you need:
[ame]http://youtu.be/yu0hiXiv3IQ[/ame]

 

[liquiditynerd]

So, this has come up many times before and I see my responses have changed over time. I think I have walked the fence and offer this.......

Most of my friends are cool as can be and are typically the ones who bring fruit for wine, donate sugar, trade, work, or straight out order a kit to brew. I have lately been less inclined to share what I make, not selfish at this point, it's just that I make what I like and other folks might not have the same taste. My wine is usually an absolute hit and is accepted almost everywhere I go, so I understand people slamming glass after glass something that took years to produce.

For your "thirsty" friends, I will admit (as I have done in "younger" posts) I have developed some games I like to play. It depends on the who exactly is bugging me and how bad but I've become pretty prankster on this.

There's the dreaded newbie Bottle Bomb, mark a bottle, over prime with sugar, crack a few with the cool folks, and......... pfeiiiszzzzewzzzz.... damn sorry man that one was a soaker, I'm not totally getting the hang of bottling. Here here's a PBR, sorry man.

The Off Batch- made a mistake? didn't come out right and you thought of dumping it. Hell no, bottle that bad boy, a little dot on the corner of the label. Crack a couple of your choice brews and just straight down em like a champ and say "damn that was good, right?". They'll look at you like you're nuts and probablly never ask again.

But for the most part I really only share with like minded folks. Seems like you are on the high road though and some of the other posts would be better to adhere to. I just love f in with people and it gives me great joy to see the expressions on their faces, uuggkk this stuff will make you go blind, you are the worst brewer in the world, damn man read a book about brewing, just priceless.

Cheers! Keep on brewing.

 

[Cheektronic]

I think I'll end up doing a simple donation jar first... that will help.



Expanding on my idea earlier, I had an idea that might be a little more fun. Develop an app that will run on a tablet next to my taps, and have it display a fundraiser thermometer with $30 being the goal.

When they hit the "Donate" button, they're asked how much (as little as $1), and get to vote for the next beer brewed. There will be some choices I put out there and they can add one. Your vote will be weighted by how much you donate (i.e. if you donate $15, your vote counts as 50%)

It then takes you to the PayPal Here app, where you slide your card (I'll get a card reader) and make your donation. To ensure it won't just be filling my pockets, I'll only use my paypal debit card to make purchases.

Simple, right?

 

[Kingbogart]

I do like the idea of the Donation application. As a software developer building interops for small stuff like that is fun for me. I would say, if you're going to do that though, Pay then vote. Not the other way around.

Also, you hadn't mentioned previously, but just did in your latest post that you have taps. I know they are a little more blunt, but tap locks for when you aren't around might be an option. At least then you won't be losing your brew when you aren't at home.

 

[Setesh]

The beer fund is a good idea, as is having them buy the ingredients. You might be able to get them interested in brewing with you if you approach it the right way. If you can turn them into brew helpers that is always nice. To me it's more fun to brew with friends than by yourself.

 

[smccarter]

I like the "buy ingredients/kits" idea. That may be a good thing. They'll see just how much it costs to brew 5 gallons of beer. Invite them to observe/keep you company on brew day so they can see how much time it takes to brew 5 gallons. Just make sure they stick around for the clean up.

I really do enjoy sharing my beer. I wouldn't be able to drink all that I brew... and I wouldn't be able to brew as often as I want without sharing beer. It's a double edged sword I suppose.

Most people are reasonable though. And guys are easy to get a point across to. Just tell them to pony up. Tell them that you don't mind them drinking all that they want, but they're going to have to make up for what they're drinking. Donations, ingredients, kits, or a six pack from time to time. Or... just punch them in the jaw every time they pour a glass of beer. Eventually they'll catch on.

I've actually only had 1 person that I needed to talk to. He understood immediately, and I started getting some really good beer from him. Didn't yell, just explained to him that it costs to brew and it takes time to brew a good beer. Message received. He still drinks my beer... and plenty of it. But I get to drink some really good craft beer that I didn't have to buy. I figure he's spending more per beer than I am, so I'm actually making out.

 

[Airplanedoc]

I go with the beer donation/tip jar. I also have a quarter slot machine "for entertainment purposes only" near my bar.

 

[DrunkleJon]

Roomates, make em take a trip with you to the HBS and pick up ingredients. Have them fill your CO2 tank for you. Let them see that there is cost included with brewing. Have them help you brew. Tell them straight out that you are happy that they enjoy your beer, but that like food and commercial beer, you are not going to supply them.

If they do not respect the fact that they are drinking your beer, cut off the free beer train. Put a lock on your kegerator door, and shutoff valves on your beer lines. Respect the beer or you get none. It is kinda a d*ck move, but some people aare not respectful and will not learn any other way.

 

[Zepth]

I brought a 24 over to the Super Bowl party and told all guests to have their fill. Considering what was already available before my arrival I still left with half of it. I did get a meal and evening of finger food out of the deal, I'm happy with the result.

At the forge (metal working shop) on weekends it's not uncommon for a couple people to bring in beer to share. So far it seems as though nobody has gotten a bad rap as always being "that guy." I am certain that bringing in my own hard work will be more than sufficient to keep all parties happy. Like beer timeshare.

For my place I haven't had a chance to bring many guests. My main couple friends and I have been on a beer exchange for the longest time, I just help myself to his fridge when I'm over there and he does the same here. As far as they go it will be same old routine. For all others I'll likely set out an ingredient jar. Hoping for the same luck with that as other folks here. I really see it being unlikely that somebody thinks homebrew=free.

 

[rodwha]

A little different, but a neighbor of mine, after trying several of my beers, asked if I'd brew him some beer, that he'd pay for it. I explained that first of all it's illegal, but secondly it's quite time consuming and parts aren't fun at all, and that were the time considered it would be be extremely expensive. But I'd be happy to help you brew some beer and let you take care of it.

I sat down at the computer on MoreBeer's site and compiled a list of ingredients including his own liquid yeast, star san, and beer bottles. It was over $50 for a 5 gal batch. He wasn't interested in doing any of that, and never mentioned anything about the cost, but I could tell by the look in his eye.

The way I figure it is I spend about as much on ingredients to make 5 twelve packs as it would to have bought that many Bud packs. So it's not exactly cheap, though I am getting craft beer instead. I think that's the misconception.

Were I you I'd suggest you all get together and work up a style you'd all enjoy, and bring up the cost, and that it's been draining you. A little help would be appreciated too, especially for clean up and bottling. If they are quality friends they'll understand and either slow down or pitch in. If not you'll need to mention that they'll need to bring their own.

 

[Beergnomes]

I like donation box idea but my yard parties were getting so expensive that I started asking a cover charge and we're talking my own family. They eat and drink me out of house and home.

 

[Clonefan94]

I guess I'm lucky. What comes around goes around for me. My friends come over and drink plenty, but when we get together at their houses, they are never short on other beers and good whiskey. No excuse for your so called friends to just assume that no repayment of any kind is acceptable.

 

[DrummoRC]

For me the time is the most expensive part. I do all grain and double batches which take me almost all day just to keep up with my habit much less my friends and family! Grain is fairly Cheap... my time is limited!-P

If I could get friends or family to help on brew day I would be thrilled! Especially in the cold months! This years winter in the north east have not been very conducive to brewing to say the least! Hard to boil water when it is 14 degrees outside ...and I am not talking Celsius!

 

[rodwha]

"This years winter in the north east have not been very conducive to brewing to say the least!"

It's not conducive to brewing outside way down here in Texas for most of the year as it's hot and humid and buggy for most of the year! So I brew indoors and top off, which gets my house smelling awesome for the whole day!!!

 

[smccarter]

I guess I'm lucky. What comes around goes around for me. My friends come over and drink plenty, but when we get together at their houses, they are never short on other beers and good whiskey. No excuse for your so called friends to just assume that no repayment of any kind is acceptable.

Bingo. "Friends" who take advantage, might not actually be friends. if they don't realize what they're doing, just let them know. If they're your friends, they'll get it. If not, you'll never see them again and you'll know where you stand with them after all.