Brewing Solo, The best thing since sliced bread

[smokinop]

When I first started brewing I couldn't understand why none of my buddies had the same passion I did. They love to drink what I brew but only on a couple of occasions have they helped out. I quit worrying about it since I prefer to brew early in the morning & can't expect others to work according to my schedule. I brew 5 gallons batches using gravity to move wort to other vessels but would love to move to 10 gallon batches, which I don't want to even try without help or pumps. After I said all that, I do enjoy brewing alone as it gives me time to hit my temps & times like I should. Also, a nice time to just enjoy some quiet time with just me!

 

[kal]

When I first started brewing I couldn't understand why none of my buddies had the same passion I did. They love to drink what I brew but only on a couple of occasions have they helped out.

I think you explained the reason pretty well ... they don't need to brew if you're going to do it anyway!

I have a lot of friends that absolutely love the beer I make (or so they tell me, it may be just because it's free) but none of them have any interest in learning about how it's done or lending a hand. I have no issues with this as it's actually easier brewing solo.

Kal

 

[PaintedRat]

I used to like having a few people over when brewing, to be social and share whatever was just bottled. I always end up with sloppy notes, missing targets, and getting frustrated at a complete lack of understanding of cross-contamination (sanitation and allergies). Now, I mostly brew alone, but I'll allow a guest during on day.

 

[gometz]

I lied, I don't brew alone anymore. Fiance's cat Bear helps out now (by attacking me). I call him Beer-Cat on brew days (the next beer is named after him: Bierkatz Altbier).

 

[kal]

I lied, I don't brew alone anymore. Fiance's cat Bear helps out now (by attacking me). I call him Beer-Cat on brew days (the next beer is named after him: Bierkatz Altbier).

Doesn't count if they can't stir the mash (or drink beer).

Kal

 

[passedpawn]

Alone. I don't like distractions. I like to brew very early. I'm not so social anyway.

 

[MDHarris]

I stopped inviting friends to hang out while I brew. Now I invite friends to "help" brew. Most are exited to have a responsibility like keeping track of hop additions or carting water to the hlt. It gives me time to take better notes and have a smoke.

 

[stevo4361]

Solo brewer here

 

[tehnick]

Usually brew solo. I've only brewed with a friend once who is also a home brewer but he sat around most of the time and bailed 15 minutes before the boil ended, so I essentially brewed solo anyway. Eh, haven't had much experience with other people around to know if I hate it or not but I don't mind doing it alone. Easier to blame a bad batch on myself too, lol.

 

[stazon]

I brew alone or with my dog staring at me from the porch. I put on some music around 10:00 AM after the wife takes off and start heating up water. When friends come over the consumption seems to crank up which leads to getting drunker than I should while working. Solo, I sip on a sessionable brew and just work the process, solving problems, etc.

 

[gometz]

Doesn't count if they can't stir the mash (or drink beer).

Kal

He has tried doing both those things (but failed).

 

[NTXBrauer]

I agree with most here and have gone it alone the majority of times. It allows for better focus on the tasks at hand and for keeping detailed notes. Even though many activities are going on during the brewing process, I kinda find it relaxing, mentally. Now it would be beneficial to have someone around when the clean up begins, but that is rarely the case.

 

[brewkinger]

Seems to be the going consensus here.

On my first couple of extract/steeping batches, I had a friend w/ previous brewing experience come over and supervise.
Couple mistakes but part of the learning curve.

Then I went AG and had a friend (with no experience) come and help on 2 or 3 batches. Things always worked well, as he was often reminding me of steps and making sure that the day went well.
Some mistakes were made, usually when we had a couple of brews and our judgement and thinking became cloudy, but we still made beer.

This 2nd friend became unenthusiastic about brewing and pretty much avoided my brew days all together and I in turn was afraid and hesitant to brew without a 2nd person.
I finally bit the bullet and had a solo brewday and it was the best one yet.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f36/smoothest-brew-day-so-far-406489/

Since then, I brew alone. I start at 7am and am done and cleaned up by 11:30am. First beer gets opened during the cleanup process.
I hesitate to NOT brew alone now.

 

[Black Island Brewer]

I like brewing with people interested in brewing, wanting to learn, because to forces me to be clear on process. But I have to have my brewsheet laid out, everything ready and at hand so I don't get distracted and miss a step. But I hate when someone says they want to learn, but then show little real interest, and are clearly bored. So most of the time I brew alone and just apppreciate the Zen of Brewing.

 

[bscott1011]

I have yet to brew solo, kids are home and like to help at different points. My 6yo boy is fascinated with the auto siphon and likes to fill bottles, 4yo daughter stirs mash and likes to weigh hops. The pit bull just lays by the burner on cool days and waits for a treat.

 

[luke_d]

I always think it'd be cool to have friends over while brewing, until the half way through the brewday. Unless they share your passion for brewing, they're going to get bored literally watching water boil.

 

[NickTheGreat]

Doesn't count if they can't stir the mash (or drink beer).

Kal

My cat has drank beer. I spilled some on the floor and she was there to lap it up!

 

[herc1354]

Brewing is like sex. It's great with the right people, but always good by yourself. And less chance of infection.

This is just plain funny, true...but funny

I currently am working with a brew partner...the jury is still out if this will continue.

Working with a partner on anything will either be amazing or an absolute cluster, the key is to be in sync with the person, no one person should have to direct what needs to be done next. My brew partner is a good guy, he is very into beer but not so much into organization and thinking of what needs to be done next. Only time will tell if I turn this hobby into a solo venture or not, cleaning a 10 gal single tier all grain system is a PITA, its nice to have a bit of help.

 

[HerbieHowells]

I agree with the early start, but not that early haha, tho with previously relying on friends to help didn't happen too often. I live by myself so i crank my hot water heater up, not having to worry about someone burning themselves, it usually comes out of the tap at 150, so whenever I wake up I am basically at strike, helps with sparge too, so if I start by 8 I can be done by noon

Oh, I would forget and burn the hell out of myself in the shower or while washing my hands. You have more faith in your early morning self than I do in mine.

I always brew alone, and love every minute of it.

Saturday morning, with "NPR News", "Car Talk", "Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me", and then some good music, I love it.

That sounds like my ideal brew morning. Unfortunately, while my wife works on most Saturdays, she usually doesn't go in until noon, so I always get a late start.

 

[Rys06Tbss]

I've been irritated lately with not finding somebody to brew with... All my buddy's love my beer, but won't help make it. My wife usually leaves with the kids and I'm alone. Last Sunday I decided I was going to watch movies while brewing, finally I was at peace. I drank to much, but it was nice. Finished in 3.5 hours minus MT cleanup. Which I has left to clean the next morning. BIG mistake

 

[Teromous]

Brewing is like sex. It's great with the right people, but always good by yourself. And less chance of infection.

Haha I had no idea something this funny would come out of this thread.

 

[LymanBrewing]

Yeah, solo brewer here too. When I started getting into brewing after we moved, I thought my wife would also enjoy the process with me. She lasted all of 45 minutes before she got bored and moved on to other things.

I also had a buddy come over to "help" one time. He said that he wanted to get into it as he's also big into microbrew beers. He left as I was lautering and hasn't asked to come back since.

So yeah, I'm a solo brewer for now, but definitely would like to brew with guys/gals that know what they're doing.

 

[passedpawn]

Haha I had no idea something this funny would come out of this thread.

Homer leaves a funnywake behind his funboat.

 

[vindee]

Brewing with friends is fun but I usually end up making mistakes or missing notes. I do enjoy my alone time brew days. They usually go so much smoother. I do the early morning brew day as well. It's great starting that strike water before anyone's up in my house. Just me and my dog!

I'm about 50/50 but prefer to brew alone. Less distraction and can keep a clearer head.
Like working on the Koi pond, or those early morning punch downs on 22 gallons of wine fermenting. I think it's therapeutic.
It is fun to share your hobbies with friends but the alone time is nice.

 

[Bigscience]

I find I'm way more efficient when alone and actually seem to have more wait time too. If I brew with one of my trained guys that know what to do its nice to look over and see them cleaning out a mash tun without even having to be asked. It's really a Walt/Jessie thing when it works.

I've also brewed with A-hats that don't really help except to open the wrong hops, miss additions, drink my beer on tap and then show up to collect their beer 'they brewed' when it's all done. I even had one guy suggest I keep his in the fridge and he'd come over to get growlers when he wanted them. I'd rather drink wine than brew like that.

 

[Calichusetts]

Definitely the alone crowd. Have done over 100 batches and most were alone. Recently I started having some friends over which was nice (they always bring a few great beers over) but inevitably leads to mistakes (did I mention the beer part?)

With that said, it seems pretty clear from this post that having a fellow brewer is nice and helpful, having friends over leads to less concentration. Brewing alone tonight.

On a side note...I did get pretty shattered one night with some buddies and ended up making a pretty epic 15% barleywine. I remember telling my buddy (just starting AG) that there were two rules of homebrewing: 1. Drink a homebrew, 2. Don't get drunk.

Halfway through he turns to me and says "aren't we breaking rule two?" I paused for a second in pure drunken confusion and said "whats rule two?"

 

[herc1354]

On a side note...I did get pretty shattered one night with some buddies and ended up making a pretty epic 15% barleywine. I remember telling my buddy (just starting AG) that there were two rules of homebrewing: 1. Drink a homebrew, 2. Don't get drunk.

Halfway through he turns to me and says "aren't we breaking rule two?" I paused for a second in pure drunken confusion and said "whats rule two?"

I read this, admittedly Hung over from thirsty Thursday, and find myself laughing.

 

[Komocabo]

I read this, admittedly Hung over from thirsty Thursday, and find myself laughing.

Yep... also guilty

-Cheers

 

[Robar]

Other than the couple times my son came around to brew a batch with me I've always brewed alone. As is almost the rule judging by this thread I start early. I wake up 5-6am and already have the water in the kettle the night before. Start the water heating and get the coffee going.

I've been on brewing hiatus for a while due to life and it's quirks, but will be jumping back in before the new year. I've recently made a new acquaintance who is a home brewer and has invited me to brew with him. We talk beer a lot and he seems to be in my league so who knows? Maybe I'll give it a go with a brew buddy sometime, but I'll always enjoy brewing alone.

 

[tennesseean_87]

I started brewing every batch together with a friend. He lost interest after he botched a batch (4th batch, his first alone). I was more into it anyway. I did all the recipe formulation (or choosing at that stage), ingredient ordering, etc.

Now I brew alone, which is fine, but company would be fun, although I don't want to share the proceeds!