Homebrewing too popular???

[rhamilton]

Everyone loves beer + Beer is crazy easy/cheap to make + Sh!tty economy + lots of unemployment = Lots of homebrewers now.

 

[pattycakes888]

I can understand where your coming from but in reality, there's always going to be more and more home brewers out there simply because its a hobby that can last a lifetime. There's always going to be a constant addition of thousands of homebrewers in the world each and every year. There are more brewers entering the hobby than there are leaving the hobby because its so appealing.

But i can agree that it is equally annoying when your at a party, getting compliments on the amazing beer that you've handcrafted and brought (for free!) and you get the one jacka$$ that comes and steals your thunder by ranting about his sisters, boyfriends, fratbrother, who knows a guy who brewed a decent beer.......I enjoy debating and learning from more experienced brewers, I hate hearing stories about distant relatives who happened to read an article on brewing beer.

 

[Revvy]

One of the goals of the bjcp is to promote "real beer", which seems to suggest the promotion of craft beer. It's a pretty tongue-in-cheek goal for an organization that wrote a style guideline for American Lite Lager.

I think someone is "miss-suggestng" what they mean by "real beer" then....because like you say the recognize it as a legitimate style, and state that Bitburger Light, Sam Adams Light, Heineken Premium Light, Miller Lite, Bud Light, Coors Light, Baltika #1 Light, Old Milwaukee Light, and Amstel Light, are the epitome of commercial examples.

I don't think the bjcp is making the distinction that the folks in your discussion are. I don't think they're out to promote separatism- I think they're out to promote beer period.

Bjcp judges judge commercial mega brews along side craft breweries all the time.

 

[Desrever]

I guess I worded that wrong I didn't mean to make false assumptions about a adult beverage that others may like, I'm not trying to be a snob or anything of the sort.. your right that's not my cup of tea.

 

[Revvy]

I guess I worded that wrong I didn't mean to make false assumptions about a adult beverage that others may like, I'm not trying to be a snob or anything of the sort.. your right that's not my cup of tea.

When folks make comments like that, or snide jokes, then it sounds no different then those hipsters at the next table in the bar drinking "craft beer x" because it's now cool..or Drinking PBR...

I don't buy that stupid beerswars taste test, that gets thrown out here. I think the majority of folks can tell the difference, I think any experienced Beer judge, or beer geek, or really even die hard bmc drinker really would be able to detect the differences in the flavors of macro lagers..they know what they like and what they don't....They may not be able to articulate why, but they'd be able to discern a rice adjuncted lager vs a corn adjuncted lager- They might not be able to say why, but they'd sense the difference.

They actually have flavor....Just not flavor enough for those of us who like fuller bodied beers, OR not a flavor we necessarily like.

I don't like rice adjuncted light lagers, or rice adjuncted lagers in general, not because they're BMC, or made by the "evil empire" and I'm "better" than those folks that drink it, but because they contain rice. So I don't like bud, bud light or sapporo for instance. But if other folks do, it's their choice. If that's all that's available, I'll drink wine or mixed drinks.

BUT, if they have Sam Adam's or Guinness, or an "MC" beer that is corn adjuncted, such as Miller, or Michelob, or more than likely here in Michigan Labatt's (like when I'm at a hockey game,) and if I'm in the mood for a beer, then I'll have that.

So trying various "Lagers" including those from microbreweries, I made a list of the ones I hated and the ones that were ok; trying to figure out why I liked some and not the others. Finding out that I like corn adjuncted lagers and not rice ones like sapporo and bud.

Millers, Michelob, Labatts, PBR, Strohs, Schlitz, I will drink, and many like Strohs and pabsts (the original 70's recipes I will actually buy and enjoy...to me te two main bud products just taste horrible to me.

I really like Labatt's blue.

One of our members just brought me a mixed case of Yuengling's, both the "traditional lager" and the Lord Chesterfield's ale. And the Lager is actually darker than the ale. And it is full of flavor.

In the right situation it's the right beer....and if other folks like it, that's their choice as well.

I no longer care who brews what or who drinks what. I think beer is beer, and this is the best time to drink/brew beer. There's plenty for everyone...those who like light lagers and those who like ales...we have plenty to choose from. Hell even in my chain grocery store, there's now more craft beer on the shelves than BMCs.....

 

[bob1852]

I think someone is "miss-suggestng" what they mean by "real beer"

Can you make "real chili" with beans? Or "real ribs" on the grill and in the oven?

 

[Revvy]

Can you make "real chili" with beans? Or "real ribs" on the grill and in the oven?

I don't know about you, but I sure as hell can.

 

[merc230ce]

I reckon the OP should move here (Dublin, Ireland) - I know no-one (in real life) who brews! My uncle used to brew (awful stuff apparently ;-) until 5 or 6 years ago but gave up. And that's it, I don't know of anyone else. Paradise! Allegedly...

 

[Beezy]

I am glad I don't often run into brewers with that attitude. I have been brewing what, 4 months now? I met a bunch of folks online and local on twitter who I have hung out with and everyone seems so supportive of this n00b. Answering any questions I might have and in the process not making me feel stupid in the process. I actually think homebrewers are super cool, laid back people and I hope my opinion doesn't change. I also encourage people to start up. The more brewers the more innovations in equipment and techniques. Imagine conical fermenters coming way down in price because it's a big seller. Yeah I am all for it. Beer in general is pretty hip right now. The non-brewer beer people can get annoying sometimes no question but all for the growth if the good stuff.

 

[dantheman13]

I no longer care who brews what or who drinks what. I think beer is beer, and this is the best time to drink/brew beer. There's plenty for everyone...those who like light lagers and those who like ales...we have plenty to choose from. Hell even in my chain grocery store, there's now more craft beer on the shelves than BMCs.....

Most grocery stores in Vegas are still 90-95% BMC beer. The "beer wars" are still going on as far as I can see. What is even worse is that there are four liquor store chains that sell good beer here. Of those, only one of them really gets stuff that I really want, like sour beers and limited releases. That's just unacceptable.

A friend of mine theorized that there are "levels" of any fine art, be it music, food, comic books, or beer. In the beer world, the "entry level" is BMC. Most people don't care enough to expand their horizons past that entry level. Just like most Americans don't want to try the authentic Khao Soy dish at a Thai restaurant and instead stick with the Orange Chicken. Certain people break through that first level in a given fine art, but most everyone doesn't have the interest in doing so. It takes time, money, and effort to learn more about anything. So, they just stay with what they know, the entry level.

Big industry likes these entry levels; it plops it's big hairy butt down right there and makes itself nice and comfortable. They want to be able to manufacture a cheap, generic product that they know they can sell to as many people as possible. Whether that is Britney Spears or Bud Light, it is in the interest of the large corporations that as many people as possible stay at level 1. Exposure to higher levels is dangerous, and in some industries the big guys will do whatever they can to prevent the little guys from exposure. That's why MTV and popular radio don't play independent artists. There's no room for these little guys. Keep as many people listening to Britney as possible, and their market shares are safe. They sell a generic black box, and they want as many people trapped in that box as possible.

I have no problem with BMC filling the role as the entry level beer brewer. Not everyone cares about drinking interesting beer. However, I do have a problem with unfair laws and bullying the small craft brewers. Personally, I don't want to give BMC a cent of my money for this reason alone. I like variety, and that is where my money is going to go.

 

[Beezy]

They finally started letting select grocery stores in PA sell beer. The crazy thing is BMC gets one shelf and part of a cooler. Domestic craft gets 2 shelves and a full cooler and the rest is imports. It's great.

 

[Revvy]

Can you make "real chili" with beans? Or "real ribs" on the grill and in the oven?

And don't forget, Sushi from Kroger's....which I just had for dinner, with a Leffe blonde, and wish I had another tray of. It was damn skiffy.

 

[bob1852]

And don't forget, Sushi from Kroger's....which I just had for dinner, with a Leffe blonde, and wish I had another tray of. It was damn skiffy.

Dammit - I knew I was missing one (or more!) of the EAC things

 

[Dynachrome]

That's me! I'm so not cool. But maybe I'm trying to be. The problem is that I'm always late for all the cool stuff. By the time I realize it would be cool to ____________, the fad is over.

I totally missed out on Birkenstocks, 8-track players, pot smoking, and cell phones. By the time I tried any of those things, it was no longer "cool" and everybody was onto other things. I still don't have a cell phone, besides a pay-as-you-go tracfone.

Or, maybe I'm not trying to be cool. I really don't care what people think so I have no one to impress.

I'm so uncool that maybe I'm cool. Um, no. I'd say not.

I LOVE that more people are interested in brewing. That's a great thing for all of us. There are some sneaky ways that our legislators are trying to increase revenue- sometimes adding taxes to brewpubs or microbreweries. Since more of us are brewing and aware of craft brewers now, we can help support them. I think commercial breweries are beginning to love homebrewers, realizing that we still buy way more beer from them than non-craft beer drinkers. Homebrewing doesn't really decrease their sales- but we actually raise awareness of great beers.

I say that we should start a movement to get everyone to brew! Whether it's Mr. Beer, all-grain, an all electric HERMS, a micro, or a macrobrewery, it's all beer. And that's a good thing.

Yooper - you beat me to it.

Next week I'm going to try that new fad of letting my jeans hang half way down my butt..

 

[cruckin78]

Too popular? The more the merrier as far as I'm concerned.

If somebody wants to talk about brewing I'm all for it. I might just learn something.

I agree...

If I meet another brewer, I want to trade beer!! I want your onions on mine, and vice versa.

 

[Dynachrome]

What is that called when you hang out by youself and give yourself pleasure?

...of couse - beer is to be shared!

 

[Ace_Club]

Hey guys, just want to say goodbye.

Homebrewing was cool as long as I was the only one doing it.

Now it's trendy. I'm out.

+1, sounds like a normal hipster rant.

 

[Oakwoodforge]

Yea, when I say I homebrew, people look at me like I have two heads, then ask how I get the alcohol in there.

The same people also think that Steak comes comes from a factory, plastic wrapped on a Styrofoam tray...

 

[jonmohno]

I started out on a heath trip with a fementation path with kefir then sauerkrout then kombucha, which led me to BEER! I didnt event know it was trendy.If it is its not around here. I was on a gut flora mission which is essential to good health and long age.People dont take care of what needs to be taken care of.They just contiue to suck down the garbage and think the doctor will fix it with his drugs.

 

[Notalus]

What are you kidding? The more people that home brew the more beers that I get to taste! The more people that brew, just think what someone is bound to come up with!

 

[ao125]

Now it seems like every fratboy and hipster either homebrews or claims to know enough about it to tout himself as an authority on the topic.

Holy crap! There are hipsters in New York! CALL THE POLICE!

Seriously though, why the complaints?

If *everybody* is doing it, it should make getting ingredients easier and lower costs.

I think we're in a beer renaissance at the moment. People are putting down the nasty-ass cans of yellow pisswater and picking up things that taste good. Naturally, some of them are going to want to make it themselves. With some people, it's only going to get as far as a Mr. Beer kit or two - with others, it's going to be a room full of all-grain gear.

With every hobby, there are people that get into it for the short term, and some that stick it out for the long haul... and I'm more interested in what people can bring to the table after a year or two of doing it.

The fact of the matter is that anyone with a smart phone or web browser thinks they're an instant expert, and they should be avoided like the plague. The only people worth listening to are the ones that are humble enough to still be learning themselves, with every model they paint, every beer they brew, every cake they bake, every carburetor they tune, etc.

 

[cl330b]

ao125, no words more true have ever been spoken. +1 for me on the continued education. Every brew day has a lesson in it somewhere. Oh and... I can't wait for the hipsters to start buying up the high dollar stainless conicals! Hello Craigslist!