It would seem from this and other threads that you and I are in opposition, in fact after discussion, I generally find that though we brew differently, we are not far apart in our paths. I certainly have my limits as to what I will do to make a great beer. Very few if any of us own a beer centrifuge, which I think could be an excellent tool to make a really delicious beer. In fact, that may be why RIPScotty can’t replicate Trappist brew, as in my reading, I’ve found that at least one of the Trappist breweries uses a centrifuge. A big part of why I like to brew is that what I’m doing isn’t far from what my great grandfathers great grandfather did. It connects me to them in time. Glycol chilled stainless steel conicals would make my beer taste worse even though it may make better beer.
My quest is for the Soul of good beer. I believe that Brülosophy is on the same quest.
For the record, I brew beers in the Trappist spirit that have many of the same hallmarks. They are my own recipes and not clones and are excellent beers in both the subjective sense (I love them) and the objective sense (others love them). I can replicate many of the qualities in those beers yet fermentation, and getting the right balance for “ape’ing” beers like Chimay, Westmalle, and Rochefort, in particular, is always tough. Tough, but not impossible. I don’t shoot for clones of those beers though. I have a stable of 4-5 recipes for Single, Dubbel, Tripel, Dark Strong, and Golden Strong. I pursue those because it’s more fun that way.
My original comment was that I find it tough to clone Chimay, Westmalle, Rochefort, etc. so that’s why I still purchase them. They are delicious and I can’t fully replicate that. I’m not complaining, however, as I love them and they are all available at my local grocery store.
Centrifuges only play a part in packaging. All it does is remove old yeast, etc. and prepare the beers to get bottling yeast at packaging. It’s not a contributor in a flavor sense.
We likely agree on certain things more than you think. I just don’t feel the need to make brewing anything more than it is: crushed grains, hot water, little buggers that eat sugar, and a whole heap of good science.
It’s not spiritual for me. I’m not trying to find the “soul” of beer or connect with the European immigrant forebears of mine. More power to you if that’s your thing, it just doesn’t resonate with me.
As far as the Bru Crew are concerned? They have to do what they have to do to make that money and support the site. I guess I can’t begrudge them for that, even if it means I don’t agree with their whole concept. Marshall and crew need to make that money and get free stuff and who the hell am I to say nay to that. Content drives clicks, clicks get endorsements and help them monetize what they are doing. More power to them I guess. Can’t hate on someone who has found a way to make money off of what they love.
I’d certainly do it if I could.
I apologize to anyone if I was antagonistic over the course of this thread. Sometimes you just get riled up. I disagree with many of you about many things. I should do better at turning that into something more constructive.
