Here's one for the ladies....

[seatazzz]

Now that I have your attention...been thinking a bit lately. Throughout these forums, we are always seeing references to SWMBOs being either super/kinda/meh supportive of their male SO's, or even in some rare cases irritated at the mess/clutter/obsession of same. Yes, homebrewing appears to be a male-dominated hobby, but us ladies are out there. @Yooper , @Hoppy2bmerry, @FloppyKnockers, I know there are more.

For those of us of the feminine persuasion (or if that's how you identify, we're not biased here), how many of you have a spouse/SO/partner of the male sex that helps/brews themselves/is meh/doesn't care about the process? For myself, my husband is kind of in the middle; he loves what I brew, tolerates the expenditures (which I {almost} always discuss with him first to make sure the budget can stand it), is my second taster (I'm first of course) but isn't interested in brewing himself. Back in the day before I had pumps he would help with the heavy lifting, but these days I can do it all myself with no help. In some ways I wish he DID brew; then when I go off on a long involved explanation of my latest brew, his eyes wouldn't glaze over with not exactly boredom, but just not interested in the details. Guess that's why I'm here. And in other ways, I'm kinda glad he doesn't want to brew; I'd have to share equipment time with him. We could brew together, I suppose, but after 20 years together and 15 years of marriage, there are just some things we can't do as a team; brewing would be one of those. He's uber-competitive in everything he does and we don't need arguments over the BK.

Thoughts, ladies?

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

I’ve been married for 36 years, and we do many things together, actual brewing in not one of them. With that said, he is active with me at our HBC, went to Homebrew con in Providence and loves to brag when I win in competition.

There have been a few occasions that I’ve enlisted his strength when I’m brewing a full 5 gallons for an event, for lifting or handing me something when I’m lifting, but 98% of the time I’m brewing he is in a different room doing his own thing. He is also a taster, doesn’t like every style, but neither do I.

Interestingly enough, he thought he would like to make kombucha after learning about it at convention. Someone in the club shared SCOBY and I set it up... he hasn’t touched it or drank any of it.

He‘s very supportive at Christmas too, I can count on a gift card to a homebrew shop, which I’d rather have over cards to clothing shops.

 

[seatazzz]

I’ve been married for 36 years, and we do many things together, actual brewing in not one of them. With that said, he is active with me at our HBC, went to Homebrew con in Providence and loves to brag when I win in competition.

There have been a few occasions that I’ve enlisted his strength when I’m brewing a full 5 gallons for an event, for lifting or handing me something when I’m lifting, but 98% of the time I’m brewing he is in a different room doing his own thing. He is also a taster, doesn’t like every style, but neither do I.

Interestingly enough, he thought he would like to make kombucha after learning about it at convention. Someone in the club shared SCOBY and I set it up... he hasn’t touched it or drank any of it.

He‘s very supportive at Christmas too, I can count on a gift card to a homebrew shop, which I’d rather have over cards to clothing shops.

I belong to a sort of informal brew club, just a group of friends that get together a few times a year to have a group brewday, eat great food, share our homebrew, and just have a good time. Husband attended the last one, and was fired up to do his own partial mash batch at the next one; then covid happened, and we won't be getting together until probably April. Needless to say his enthusiasm has waned considerably.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Now that I have your attention...been thinking a bit lately. Throughout these forums, we are always seeing references to SWMBOs being either super/kinda/meh supportive of their male SO's, or even in some rare cases irritated at the mess/clutter/obsession of same. Yes, homebrewing appears to be a male-dominated hobby, but us ladies are out there. @Yooper , @Hoppy2bmerry, @FloppyKnockers, I know there are more.

For those of us of the feminine persuasion (or if that's how you identify, we're not biased here), how many of you have a spouse/SO/partner of the male sex that helps/brews themselves/is meh/doesn't care about the process? For myself, my husband is kind of in the middle; he loves what I brew, tolerates the expenditures (which I {almost} always discuss with him first to make sure the budget can stand it), is my second taster (I'm first of course) but isn't interested in brewing himself. Back in the day before I had pumps he would help with the heavy lifting, but these days I can do it all myself with no help. In some ways I wish he DID brew; then when I go off on a long involved explanation of my latest brew, his eyes wouldn't glaze over with not exactly boredom, but just not interested in the details. Guess that's why I'm here. And in other ways, I'm kinda glad he doesn't want to brew; I'd have to share equipment time with him. We could brew together, I suppose, but after 20 years together and 15 years of marriage, there are just some things we can't do as a team; brewing would be one of those. He's uber-competitive in everything he does and we don't need arguments over the BK.

Thoughts, ladies?

Thanks for inviting me for my $0.02, but truth be told... I'm a dude. My username can confuse my gender. I get that all the time. It is all explained here. That said, I have invited my wife to make beer with me, but she has no interest in doing so. She prefers to help me empty kegs and I do support that. I tried to get her into other aspects of the hobby; making cider and wine. Both of which she is a huge fan of, but still... not interested in making them. That's okay with me. It's not for everybody, but if she were to get bit by the bug, I would definitely support her.

All that said. IMO, any husband/boyfriend should support their SO in this hobby. If she enjoys it and it's not killing anyone, let her have her fun.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

I belong to a sort of informal brew club, just a group of friends that get together a few times a year to have a group brewday, eat great food, share our homebrew, and just have a good time. Husband attended the last one, and was fired up to do his own partial mash batch at the next one; then covid happened, and we won't be getting together until probably April. Needless to say his enthusiasm has waned considerably.

COVID has definitely been a brewing meeting/event bummer. 2021 has to be better.

 

[BrewMan13]

Any spouse should support their partner in their hobbies; my wife is super-supportive, even though she barely drinks at all.