Friends paying for beer?!

[starrfish]

I'm saying +1 to making friends bring over some food... buy me some burgers to go with that beer!

hey that works too! my campsite share has been covered by my buds that know I'm bringing a whole mixed case of MY homebrew! They can't wait to try my Imperial smoked porter!

I'm also doing a little "dogs and brews" tasting in a few weeks I'm buying the dogs and bringing out a dozen or so home brews... everyone else is bringing sides and session beers... Mine are pretty big beers so it all comes out in the end... they are just looking to have about 2 each of mine and fill in the gaps with what commercials they bring... should be a nice night

 

[Justibone]

I started brewing smaller batches, 3 gal and 1 gal. Then I say, "Sorry, it's a small batch, I can't share as much."

 

[echotraveler]

wow, brewers most relate to this topic!

Great discussion. I wanna enjoy brewing and drinking, so ill just do that, no stress, if anyone abuses i can always not invite that person in the future.

 

[Justibone]

wow, brewers most relate to this topic!

Great discussion. I wanna enjoy brewing and drinking, so ill just do that, no stress, if anyone abuses i can always not invite that person in the future.

This is the heart of it.

 

[DmentD]

Depends. I know some people who would never turn their nose up at a good toilet-bowl sangria.

Now THAT is funny.

 

[Bigscience]

Sounds like a lot of problems are in the sharing of the hard "earned" bottles. When I used to bottle, I'd always think of all the work that went into producing that one bottle and my heart would sink a little when I heard one open. Now there's something nice about sharing beer on tap. Unless your "friends" bring over growlers, there's not a to-go option.

I actually like to share my brews. It allows me to go through more beer quicker than I can drink it (and stay out of Betty Ford anyway) and allows me to brew more often to perfect the craft.

Rather than charging for the beer, pull a frat party move and charge for the cup. Or start your own mug club in your garage.

 

[JefferyL]

I like to keep some strong barley wine around to slow any heavy drinkers down. I usually have the few friend that I brew for buy all the ingredients and a little extra for the time.

 

[3bals]

It's only illegal if you get caught. But if you do get caught...ouch!

That's what the inmates would always say, back when I worked in a prison. And I would always respond with "How's that working out for you?"

 

[Airborneguy]

I'm really surprised at how many people give away their homebrew "to-go". Even when I bottled, that was very rarely an option. I only give it away to other beer people who I trade with. I don't look at my homebrew as as beer so-to-speak, not even as a little better-than-normal beer. I look at it as an experience. If you want my beer, you get it when I invite you over. I also have never been into the open-door policy as far as my house goes, never been my thing. Everyone knows this and so no one ever just shows up. People come to my house when me or my wife invite them. So therefore, if you are over, you are offered a few beers. Even on brew days when a few friends come to hang out and help, no one really goes overboard. My cousin, who is a heavy drinker, is too used to BMC products to drink a lot of mine. He loves all of it, but thinks its "heavy". And guess what? He'll always think it is heavy because I won't teach him otherwise! Works in my favor.

I always laugh when people talk about "converting" other people. Why would you do that? All that means is more people who want your homebrew and more competition for the craft beers in the beer store. I would say I could careless what other people drink, but I'd be lying, because I'd actually prefer them to drink BMC

 

[JNye]

wow dude you have to compete for beer at the beer store? that must be tough, what's the competition of choice? thumb wrestling? scrabble? the octagon out back i with you though, i am not trying to convert anyone...if they show some interest so be it, i've never given any togo packs before, but i will, if i don't get the bottles back plus some they won't be getting anymore...my bottles represent the hardest part of brewing for me.

 

[Airborneguy]

Rock, paper, scissors usually settles it!

 

[Justibone]

I always laugh when people talk about "converting" other people. Why would you do that? All that means is more people who want your homebrew and more competition for the craft beers in the beer store. I would say I could careless what other people drink, but I'd be lying, because I'd actually prefer them to drink BMC

Sociologists have noted that women generally bond by intimacy/trust, but men bond by doing things together (just generalizing here). If you can get someone you like to do your hobby with you, then it turns into a social gathering and theoretically it should become more enjoyable than doing it alone. Humans do need some level of social interaction, and with as much time as we spend brewing it's nice to multi-task and relate to our fellows at the same time.

I guess you female-types can share secret recipes -- I dunno what you ladies get up to when you're alone.

Another benefit of converting others to the hobby is that you can have the experience of brewing more often without bearing the cost, and also the burden of finding a good home for all the brew you've been making. :cross:

Also, when its time to buy a filter for SWMBO's wine (ok, I admit I like it too), having more brewers to potentially share the *use* of a piece of equipment means more brewers to share the *cost* of that equipment, and how is that not awesome, I ask you?

 

[schmagy]

Wacky, no.
Wacky would be buying claiming that the grain was for dog bicuits and the beer provided was free.

But there is a clear relationship between purchased ingredients and beer sales. I mention this because that is specifically how excise taxes are audited.

Obviously, it's not worth anyone's time on a small scale, but you can see where it would land you in trouble if say things got a little more enterprising even if the pints of beer were free. If a PR firm provided ingredients to you for weekly beer parties, etc.

Yea, sounds to me like a bunch of college age ppl in the OP. Where i see someone caring is when one of the hardcore guys goes a little nutty and gets the attn of the local PD..... noise,vandalism etc.... those type of ppl always seem to be the first to point a finger if it can get them out of trouble.

Conversation goes like this.... (cop to drunk) where u been tonight? Drunk to cop, At an awesome party drinking hombrew, its really cheap....

irritated cop...(he's been getting late night calls in this neighborhood for years) O really, how cheap?

 

[Rustysocket]

My fishing buds hear this from me occasionally.

The boat runs on gas..... not thanks.

 

[DmentD]

I always laugh when people talk about "converting" other people. Why would you do that? All that means is more people who want your homebrew and more competition for the craft beers in the beer store. I would say I could careless what other people drink, but I'd be lying, because I'd actually prefer them to drink BMC

Seems to me, the more people that buy commercial craft beer would increase the need for the brewer to produce more, resulting in a brewer with a more stable economic base, which increases the likelihood that the brewer will stay in business longer producing your favorite craft beer. Also, the increased demand, and resulting increased revenue would mean greater distribution capacity -- more available in the local market, and an expanded geographic range of availability. Think of all those hot-to-trot brews that are only available on, say, the West Coast, that folks are going ga-ga for and having friends and family ship them to Timbuktu and beyond, suddenly available in your home town.

Also, think about the competing breweries working that much harder to keep a presence in the market by creating higher quality, and more interesting brews, constantly one-upping one another. Free trade and a strong market can be a good thing. A larger commercial craft brewing community also means more voices to be heard by the gov't (not that they listen all that much, anyway), and that means a stronger lobby for the brewers, and that means a louder voice for homebrewers too.

'Course, I could be full of carp, too. *grins*

 

[RogueVassar]

Seems to me, the more people that buy commercial craft beer would increase the need for the brewer to produce more, resulting in a brewer with a more stable economic base, which increases the likelihood that the brewer will stay in business longer producing your favorite craft beer. Also, the increased demand, and resulting increased revenue would mean greater distribution capacity -- more available in the local market, and an expanded geographic range of availability. Think of all those hot-to-trot brews that are only available on, say, the West Coast, that folks are going ga-ga for and having friends and family ship them to Timbuktu and beyond, suddenly available in your home town.

Also, think about the competing breweries working that much harder to keep a presence in the market by creating higher quality, and more interesting brews, constantly one-upping one another. Free trade and a strong market can be a good thing. A larger commercial craft brewing community also means more voices to be heard by the gov't (not that they listen all that much, anyway), and that means a stronger lobby for the brewers, and that means a louder voice for homebrewers too.

'Course, I could be full of carp, too. *grins*

Don't forget that it also means a higher turnover of the beers (or the ingredients at your LHBS) which seems like a good thing rather than stale items collecting dust waiting for only you.

 

[l3agel]

+1 on DementD. basic economic theory: more demand means more supply, and, often as a way of ensuring company survival, higher variation in product. I want more people drinking craft brew in my area, maybe the LCBO will start opening their eyes to the fact that people want interesting beer made in THEIR country, and even moreso their province. I hate the LCBO...

As to the topic of the thread (ie: money for homebrew), in Ontario there are places that allow you to go in and "make" beer or wine. All you really do is throw in the yeast and they do everything else. They get around the laws against selling booze without a liscence with the idea that they aren't even making the booze, more providing ingredients and facilities for fermentation and bottling. It's essentially like selling wort, space and yeast, no beer. If you did it like that, you could probably get off on the same sort of technicality, get your friends to pitch and bottle/keg, and afaik you'd be golden.

 

[craigd]

I guess I can't imagine charging but then again I don't really have any moochers that hang around. They never pitch in with beer money but most everyone I know will pitch in with something they can contribute to the friendship. Car work, tool loans, computer help, sports tickets, whatever. Anyone who came over to drink and never added anything back to the friendship wouldn't last long. A number of my friends either brew or are beer geeks so they bring their own beer to the equation too (either homebrew or good commercial.)

At the point I feel the need to charge my friends I'll probably just quit brewing or at least quit sharing.

 

[sprocketmaker]

I only invite my best beer buds to drink at the house... If they share buying rounds at the pub, I'm sure they'll kick in a donation at the house in appreciation for the quality libations. Otherwise meet em at the steakhouse and convenently leave the wallet at home!

 

[DeusInnomen]

Maybe I'm just used to partying with folks who have a particular demeanor towards the subject, but I'm surprised every single time I gently and subtly ask for donations. Normally, I just put out a large glass mug in a prominent location of the house (kitchen, usually, since everyone tends to congregate there) with a single dollar bill tossed into it. By the end of the day, the hint has lead to enough donations to cover, on average, 75%-120% of my personal expenditures for the party, food and brews.

That might be something to consider if you don't want to be direct.

 

[motobrewer]

just stop giving them beer.

 

[user 40839]

I have one - my brother in law actually - who completely and utterly takes the piss. I have a keg of cream stout that he's particularly zeroed in on (after almost single handedly demolishing my Belgian Summer Ale) and any time he comes over, it's with an empty growler (or two). (When he does come over, this is usually the only reason he's doing it too, not to hang out or see his sister...)

And of course, being "family", I've been informed that it's not right to ask for or expect payment.

My planned solution is to give him his own tap on the second keezer I'm making. Whatever beer is on that tap is going to be his, he gets to brew it with me, and pay for the ingredients. Everything else is off limits unless he's drinking at the house. And if he encounters a beer that he really really likes on one of my taps, then he needs to hurry up and drink what he has, and then we can brew a batch of that.

 

[Airborneguy]

You should have put a stop to that a long time ago. I'm trying to think if anyone has ever even poured a beer from my tap without asking - besides my wife. I seriously don't think it's happened a single time. And no one has ever left the house with a beer that wasn't a gift from me, specifically where the gifting idea originated in my head.

I can't decide if some of you are nice guys, or just flat out being taken advantage of!

 

[user 40839]

Don't get me wrong - he asks permission first, but I've already been informed by his sister, my wife, that saying no isn't an option. Although at this point, since she's been harassing me about credit card charges, it is now.

"Honey, what's this charge from Morebeer?!"
"Had to get more grain and hops!"
"What? Didn't you just load up last month?!"
"Yep!"
"And it's gone already?!"
"Yep. Although I wouldn't be buying it so soon if your brother wasn't inhaling my beer!"

 

[MrInternet]

There are a lot of people in this thread that need to man up and assert themselves with the same demeanor that likely got them permission to brew in the first place...

Seriously, what type of "friends" are these?? If you're not able to just say "hey guys, this is something I love doing and love sharing, but you've got to meet me halfway here...", then kick them to the curb. I can't think of a single friend that I've let try my homebrew that wouldn't GLADLY pay up if I asked them.

Thing is, I've never asked. Mainly because, as with "loans" to friends and family members, I never give out expecting to get back. I CHOOSE to share it, so I don't feel the need to be compensated for it. I've even turned down $10 for a bomber of my robust porter from a friend that had already drunk it, who insisted it was the best beer he'd ever had... and he's a fellow aficionado. I told him as long as he enjoyed it that much, I would enjoy making it and sharing it.

I think each brewer has to decide what they want out of the homebrewing experience... for me, I can't imagine drinking 5 or 10 gallon batches of beer on my own, so I love sharing. If you're THAT emotionally invested in your beer that you can't stomach other people drinking it with less than the fanatical savoring that you employ, it might be time to stop sharing at all.

 

[Airborneguy]

I think each brewer has to decide what they want out of the homebrewing experience... for me, I can't imagine drinking 5 or 10 gallon batches of beer on my own, so I love sharing. If you're THAT emotionally invested in your beer that you can't stomach other people drinking it with less than the fanatical savoring that you employ, it might be time to stop sharing at all.

I definitely don't mind sharing, its how that arrangement is arrived at. I brought a growler to a party this weekend, and even went home and refilled it because it was so well recieved, but that was my idea.

I would have a serious problem with someone - anyone - coming into my home expecting beer. That's a serious lack of respect. If my brother in-law showed up with two growlers expecting me to fill them, I would, with my piss! But now when he comes over to hang out, I have no problem filling his glass as long as he's there, because he knows not to abuse the privilege and respects my house and my things.

 

[soundsandsuds]

I think your best option is inviting them to help out on your brewdays. Both in terms of helping to buy ingredients and labour. That way you're not feeling used and are helped out with your brewing. Plus, maybe some of them will catch the bug and start brewing themselves. Then you won't be shouldering the burden by yourself.

I disagree that the idea of a tip jar is tacky. I've had too many friends who are only around when there's beer/money/food to mooch and can't be bothered to contribute in any way. After a while it gets old and they stop being invited over.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

I LOVE sharing my brews. It is better to me than drinking them myself. I do NOT like the guys who expect you to hand them over and they chug em down so fast there is NO WAY They even tasted them. I have a family member that you could probably piss in a bottle, tell him it had alcohol in it and he would chug it down and proclaim it to be fantastic... He is also the one who constantly asks ' WHY AINT I GETTIN ANY OF THAT BEER YOU ARE MAKIN" even though I take him some from about every batch. I had a small get together here the other night and a couple of the guys tried to give me money. I told em no but I DID want them to realize that this is not free beer. There is a lot of time involved especially in the barleywine they just had. SOO a couple of them declared that they were gonna go on a Grolsch drinking spree and bring me all of the empties lol.

 

[frazier]

I have one - my brother in law actually - who completely and utterly takes the piss. I have a keg of cream stout that he's particularly zeroed in on (after almost single handedly demolishing my Belgian Summer Ale) and any time he comes over, it's with an empty growler (or two). (When he does come over, this is usually the only reason he's doing it too, not to hang out or see his sister...)

And of course, being "family", I've been informed that it's not right to ask for or expect payment.

I think if I had this problem, I would go on strike. I brew for fun, and if someone else is sucking the joy out of it, I'm done (for now).

"What do you mean, you don't have any beer?!?"
- Well, I'm just too dang busy these days to brew often enough to keep up with you. But there's diet Coke in the fridge, have one.

I'm lucky, though. No one I know has been abusive of the privilege.

 

[Justibone]

SOO a couple of them declared that they were gonna go on a Grolsch drinking spree and bring me all of the empties lol.

Those are good friends... that's also a good exchange, empties for fulls!