Do you like your beer better?

Yakima 728
Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Charlie Papazian once said 'The best beer in the world is your homebrew. In this case, I'm going to have one of mine!'
cp-exit_hero.jpg
 
mygar said:
I went to U of A in Tucson, and there was a decent sized microbrewery there, "Gentle Bens" … my first introduction to a craft brewery. Loved the oatmeal stout back then!
Click to expand...

Gentle Ben's brewing operation moved off site years ago and became Bario Brewing Co., a fun warehouse district place, owned by the same folks that started Gentle Ben's. It (Bario) had and may still have 1/2 price beer whenever a train is going by, and recently became employee-owned.
 
thefigure5 said:
Gentle Ben's brewing operation moved off site years ago and became Bario Brewing Co., a fun warehouse district place, owned by the same folks that started Gentle Ben's. It (Bario) had and may still have 1/2 price beer whenever a train is going by, and recently became employee-owned.
Click to expand...

Very interesting. That place was the introduction to beer that was not "Coors Light"! haha
I have not been back for many, many years... have many fond memories of Tucson and U of A. So, is Bario by OMally's now? If that's still around?
 
Interesting looked them up. Looks like they sold out of Gentle Bens as it is still there. The fact that they are employee owned is pretty cool
 
mygar said:
I dont know who that is ... will look him up
Click to expand...

Here's a link (to a /r/homebrewing post) with some ideas for additional people to be aware of.

Many of these people have web sites, write books, create or appear on podcasts, present at conferences (HomeBrew Con, etc). It can be interesting to hear about how these people brew (e.g. Gordon Strong in Brewing Better Beer and Brew Your Own Magazine articles) as it's generally a well thought out approach. One can certainly disagree with the approach (and hopefully one has a solid reason for taking a different approach).
 
BrewnWKopperKat said:
Here's a link (to a /r/homebrewing post) with some ideas for additional people to be aware of.

Many of these people have web sites, write books, create or appear on podcasts, present at conferences (HomeBrew Con, etc). It can be interesting to hear about how these people brew (e.g. Gordon Strong in Brewing Better Beer and Brew Your Own Magazine articles) as it's generally a well thought out approach. One can certainly disagree with the approach (and hopefully one has a solid reason for taking a different approach).
Click to expand...

Thanks man!
 
I like what I like.

Some of my beers are meh, and some I love. The reality is I tend to brew what I like and avoid brewing styles I can live without or require skills or equipment I don't have. So it's no surprise that I tend to like my beer better that some commercial beers. On the other hand I strive to replicate beers like Sierra Nevada, Dog Fish etc. I do try to push my skills and try new styles.

One thing to keep in mind that with all these styles parameters, there are great beers that are totally outside the parameters. Anchor Steam, West Coast IPAs and NEIPAs all started outside the box and led to new beer styles. Thank goodness for those folks that didn't let others tell them what was good beer.

As a brewer we are artists. Like the painter who can see the landscape on a blank canvass, we too see a finished beer in a pile of grain. Like painter who learns skills through experience to achieve effects, we do the same with each brew.

There are two distinct stages to this art.

Firstly, did we achieve what we set out to make? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. We learn from both and sometimes our mistakes surprise us favorably and we add that to our repertoire. We do this for ourselves.

The second part of the art is whether or not others will like an appreciate what we made. That is totally different from whether or not we like what we made,

If you brew for others, then the second part is more important. If you brew for yourself, then the first part is important.

Of course it's very nice when it all comes together.
 
NSMikeD said:
I like what I like.

Some of my beers are meh, and some I love. The reality is I tend to brew what I like and avoid brewing styles I can live without or require skills or equipment I don't have. So it's no surprise that I tend to like my beer better that some commercial beers. On the other hand I strive to replicate beers like Sierra Nevada, Dog Fish etc. I do try to push my skills and try new styles.

One thing to keep in mind that with all these styles parameters, there are great beers that are totally outside the parameters. Anchor Steam, West Coast IPAs and NEIPAs all started outside the box and led to new beer styles. Thank goodness for those folks that didn't let others tell them what was good beer.

As a brewer we are artists. Like the painter who can see the landscape on a blank canvass, we too see a finished beer in a pile of grain. Like painter who learns skills through experience to achieve effects, we do the same with each brew.

There are two distinct stages to this art.

Firstly, did we achieve what we set out to make? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. We learn from both and sometimes our mistakes surprise us favorably and we add that to our repertoire. We do this for ourselves.

The second part of the art is whether or not others will like an appreciate what we made. That is totally different from whether or not we like what we made,

If you brew for others, then the second part is more important. If you brew for yourself, then the first part is important.

Of course it's very nice when it all comes together.
Click to expand...

This is a really good post! Of course, I am in the learning of the basics phase, and if the brew turns out enjoyable to me than that's fantastic! I like creating things, so I think brewing will be a good hobby for me. At this stage of the game, I recognize their are styles outside of my abilities and equipment and am concentrating on the more forgiving beers. Having said that, I picked up a Pliny the Elder clone! Now I bottle, so l plan on purging head space (grolsch bottles - quickly seal) with wine preservative. Saw that technique here... will give it a try.
 
Let's do some math. There are 640oz in 5 gallons, which equals 40 pints. I can brew a 5 gallon batch for less than $20; granted I buy my grain and hops in bulk, and re-use yeast as long as it's viable. 20/40 is 0.5, or $.50/pint. A 24 pack of CL (about the only commercial lager I can stomach) averages about $22 around here. Two 24-packs is still only 588 ounces, or about $1.20/pint. What I brew tastes bazillion times better (most times) than CL. If I were to go for something better, say a 24-pack of something craft, the price is much higher per pint. Notice I'm not even mentioning going out to a taproom/craft brewery, I'm speaking only of home consumption; since we are still in the midst of the whole covid-19 lockdown, with not a lot of opportunities to visit taprooms/breweries, most of my brewer friends are still depending on their own output for beer.

Is my beer "better" than what I can get commercially, or in a taproom? Matter of opinion, mostly mine, since competitions have mainly been cancelled, and I'm selfish enough to want to keep my production to my own home. I'm fairly good at judging what tastes good, detecting off-flavors, or just knowing when a beer is crap. Even my "meh" creations (one of which I'm sipping on right now, a lager that didn't do as well as I wanted) taste better to me because, hey, I made it. A lot of OP's first question can be answered by that; I made it, therefore I like it better than some unknown brewmaster's creation. And for those of us who keg, we have the supreme opportunity to drink our beer when it's super fresh, and hasn't sat around in a warm warehouse staling or oxidizing beyond recognition.

TL;DR; but I like my beer better than commercial/taproom beers, mostly. And when I do find one that I like, that is stellar beyond comparison, my first thought is always "how could I brew this at home?".
 
If I may offer my opinion....
I much prefer my own beer even though I know it is not top shelf or to everyones liking. I brew beer that I can drink everyday and if a friend comes over and doesn't care for it, they best be bringing their own beer to drink.

I am still learning how to improve my beer and things have already drastically changed. I find myself deliberately trying something that most say you shouldn't do just so I can experience it first hand. I prefer (as my mother calls them) knowledge bumps when I am brewing, the mistakes tend to sink in and root faster in my brain over having someone just say 'don't do that'.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I know a lot of attn to the details contributes to quality beer. Looking back when you guys were new, what were the one or two biggest things that raised the quality of your beer do you think?
 
If you don’t like your beer better than a commercial equivalent, why bother?

I don’t brew “trendy” beers. A stout for which the recipe sounds more like a grocery list doesn’t interest me. I don’t brew hoppy beers. 40-50 IBUs is enough to make me happy. I buy in bulk so most of my brews come in within a few bucks either side of $20. I can brew the styles of beer I enjoy drinking a lot cheaper than I can buy those beers.

Is my beer better than the commercial equivalent? I don’t really care. After 9+ years and close to 140 batches I know I’m going to make beer every time. Nobody has ever turned down the offer of a refill. I’m comfortable saying that my beer is as good as any and better than some. Would my beer be given the seal of approval by the self-anointed High Priests of Homebrewing, a few of whom can be found on this board?

I hope not. :cool:
 
grampamark said:
If you don’t like your beer better than a commercial equivalent, why bother?

I don’t brew “trendy” beers. A stout for which the recipe sounds more like a grocery list doesn’t interest me. I don’t brew hoppy beers. 40-50 IBUs is enough to make me happy. I buy in bulk so most of my brews come in within a few bucks either side of $20. I can brew the styles of beer I enjoy drinking a lot cheaper than I can buy those beers.

Is my beer better than the commercial equivalent? I don’t really care. After 9+ years and close to 140 batches I know I’m going to make beer every time. Nobody has ever turned down the offer of a refill. I’m comfortable saying that my beer is as good as any and better than some. Would my beer be given the seal of approval by the self-anointed High Priests of Homebrewing, a few of whom can be found on this board?

I hope not. :cool:
Click to expand...
Rock'n'Roll!!
 
I don't expect to ever make beer that is better than some of the local breweries in my area. However, I also feel that I have already made a couple batches that have been better than some that I've had locally as well. Which I think is saying something, because I'm pretty new at this...but I've also dumped a couple batches too...blech.

Weird couple of things happened this past week/weekend, all of which are firsts for me.

1. Had the first home brewer I know sampled my beer. He said that it was good, I'm being too critical and totally overthinking it. He has been brewing for over 40 years and isn't one to sugarcoat anything. I do appreciate his feedback, and really want to expand the tasting pool. Stupid COVID....

2. I only drank home brew this weekend. I have plenty of quality stuff in the fridge, so not sure why just HB. Just kinda happened that way. Which is odd because I have 2 Octoberfest (1 lager, 1 ale) and a cherry cider on tap. Not exactly a lot of variety. Oh..I did a beer exchange w/the home brewer mentioned above. I scored the lion's share...Old Ale for Octoberfest Ale..outstanding trade for me!!!

3. I didn't purchase ANY beer this past week. I thought about it....multiple times. There is a lot out there currently that tickles the grey matter. I was physically in front of a brewery that I think quite highly of yesterday, looked at their menu a couple of times and walked away.

There is another brewery in the area..and don't get me wrong. They make good stuff. But..I am so sick and tired of getting their emails...and seeing the prices they're charging for 4 packs at 1 of their 3 locations. One of which just opened within the past 2 months or so.

Pilsner - $15
Blonde Ale - $15
Unfiltered WC IPA - $19
Murky IPA - $21
Murky IPA - $21
WC TIPA - $26

And then don't forget the 15-25% tip...
 
bracconiere said:
hmmm, i've pretty much always made my own beer....not familiar with it..I remember the only "big" beer i liked when i lived in CA was deshutes, unlike 'angry', 'arrogant'...i liked the peaceful forest scenes....but can't get here now in AZ, nothing but miles of InBev!
Click to expand...

I had a "Piehole Porter" near Sedona and absolutely loved it, maybe something to check out.
 
My all-grain Light American Lager is hands down better than any off-the-shelf equivalent. When I go to local brew houses, all I'm doing is analyzing the corners they are cutting and not appreciating the beer. Worst yet is that in the past year, I've lost complete interest in drinking and brewing beer. I have 40 gallons in the house and at some point will just dump it or give it away.
 
Mutant said:
My all-grain Light American Lager is hands down better than any off-the-shelf equivalent. When I go to local brew houses, all I'm doing is analyzing the corners they are cutting and not appreciating the beer. Worst yet is that in the past year, I've lost complete interest in drinking and brewing beer. I have 40 gallons in the house and at some point will just dump it or give it away.
Click to expand...

Dang... where are you located? Ill take some lol
 
I’d rather drink my beers than 99% of the commercial beers. I literally just did a blind taste test with friends and family members on Labor Day ( all beer enthusiasts) with my ipa, TH Julius, TH perfect storm, 2 oh day dreams, and eq fluctuation. And was placed first by 2 people and the lowest ranking my beer placed was 3rd. I’ll take that all day for a cost of a $1.30 to make a 16 oz beer lol
 
Tobor_8thMan said:
Proper mash temp, rapid cooling, proper fermentation temp and clarifying.
Click to expand...
mygar said:
I know a lot of attn to the details contributes to quality beer. Looking back when you guys were new, what were the one or two biggest things that raised the quality of your beer do you think?
Click to expand...
Healthy Fermentation With some form of temperature control was the biggest night and day difference to making better beer.

after that proper packaging and anti o2 practices
 

Similar threads

P
Steep to convert - Steeping grains
Replies
5
Views
361
hottpeper13
H
A
Drosophila
Replies
11
Views
520
JAReeves
JAReeves
D
Small batch (1 Gallon) ingredients
Replies
8
Views
390
hotbeer
hotbeer
Tony B
First batch
Replies
10
Views
669
Kornssj
Kornssj
F
So I would like to open a brewery...
Replies
23
Views
1K
madscientist451
madscientist451
InkBird 300

Latest posts

Back
Top