How old were you when you began this journey?

[Chug]

I was 31. Wish I had started earlier, but I suppose there wasn't much incentive seeing I drank light beer throughout most of my 20's

 

[lowelldw]

61 ....This thread makes me feel old!!

 

[DaNewf]

36

 

[b-boy]

I've always been into beer. Even as a teenager drinking (illegally) in the 70s I was interested in good beer. Used to source a lot of European beers. They were hard to find. There was a dumpy bar in my town (White Plains, NY) that for some reason had a good selection. Thinking back I have no idea why.

I thought about brewing for years, but didn't get into it till my late 40s. My brother had a Mr. Beer kit and I tried some of his beer. It was awful, but it sparked an interest in me. I'm 52 now.

 

[govner1]

I started making wine in the early 1970's when I got out if college. After a divorce in 1976 I kind of lost interest & focused on my career, a new wife, children, etc. I had a brain hemorrhage in mid 2008 that limitedy other hobbies & my wife & kids got me into brewing about three years ago at 63. I really love it and have started winemaking again, too.


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[davecspp]

Started two months ago at age 30. Went all-grain after my second batch. About to mash my 5th beer, a belgian saison. My favorite so far has been my hefe.

 

[jackson101]

At 35. Thought it would be more difficult than it is. Watched some episodes of Brew Dogs and it inspired me to jump in to it.
I'm glad I did.
I never thought I could make something that I would enjoy but also my friends would as well.
I am still at the beginners level but the potential of this hobby keeps me going and ready for the next batch.


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[The10mmKid]

51

 

[max384]

Wow. I'm surprised that so many people started so late (well, past their early twenties anyhow). I would have thought most people here would have started much younger.

I'd like to see this thread made into a poll with age ranges.

I started at 27, though I just serious with it over the past year or so (at about age 30).

 

[AsgardNorth]

31 and it was an epic failure... because at the time I was given a kit for an IPA and had no clue what an IPA was. I thought the beer was horrible compared to the 'on the shelf' beers.

fast forward 12 years and I have rediscovered my love of the creation of beers and wines. I love making them more than drinking them. (Is there a support group for people like that??)

 

[beersk]

I first helped a roommate brew a kit from Midwest, the amber ale, back in 2005. Didn't start brewing myself until fall of 2008. I was 25.

 

[Riot]

Started last spring at 24. I can definitely say I'm hooked, spent like 6 hours on a triple decoction yesterday.

 

[johnmac22]

Obsession began at 17 when my dad let me try one of his IPAs...finally had the money at 25!


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[NTXBrauer]

Started with extract brewing when I was 28, some 15 years ago.

 

[cheddarhed3]

Started last year at the ripe ol' age of 36. I agree with some of the posters...can't understand why I didn't start earlier. Pretty sure this will be a hobby I keep. Cheers.

 

[ram5ey]

29

 

[osoling]

Started at 41. Part of my mid life crisis. Some folks get a woman, I got a fermenter. I guess I could have done worse.


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[kman6234]

I started when I was 24. Didn't get real serious until I was 26 and moved into my house.

 

[StormesABrewin]

46. Just started a couple of months ago and I don't know why I waited so long. Maybe because I'm a recovering BMC drinker. Anyhoo, brewed my 4th batch yesterday and have no plans on stopping any time soon.

 

[quincy07]

My wife got me a mr beer kit for Father's Day last year. Made one batch in the LBK and moved to 5 gallon batches. I was 26 then, 27 now.

 

[roger_tucker]

I'm 46. Better late than never.

 

[RyanVTBrew]

I'm so happy with how much this post has caught fire. It's turned into a post, not just about age, but reasons and situations that lead to the decision, or piece of fate that led you to start this beautiful hobby!


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[MindenMan]

I'm 54, and my wife bought me a brew kit 2-1/2 years ago. I was in school at the time, and way too busy to brew beer. So I would have to say 2 years ago. My first few batches were drinkable, but not great, so many more hours on HBT, and my beer has gotten much better. I just bottled 5 gallons of Taddy Porter, have 5 gallons of American Stout cold crashing, 5 gallons of Amber ESB finishing up and ready to cold crash, and a Strong Scotch Ale waiting for a spot in my fermentation chamber so I can brew it.

 

[cyclonebrewer]

I made my first batch of closet wine at 12. Continued making wine through Jr high and high school then started making beer at 18 when I started college and could actually boil without my parents questioning what I was doing.

 

[TheFurstyFerret]

36

I emigrated to Canada 5 years ago from the UK/NI and disliked the mainstream beers here and they were far too expensive.

I missed Fursty Ferret, Smithwicks, Guinness and others so I thought I'd try my own. I actually liked Saranac Lake IPA/PA so I thought I'd try - et voila!

Even extract is waaay better than mainstream here. IMHO of course!

 

[wwright]

Started at 19. Still 19. Still can't sample on brewery tours. It's a tough life.


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[mtyquinn]

Started when I was in charge of putting priming sugar in bottles when I was like 10. However, my rebirth into brewing started at age 33 or so- and now I get to DRINK the beer!

 

[thatjonguy]

Started at 19. Still 19. Still can't sample on brewery tours. It's a tough life.


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Uh oh.

 

[BakRivrBruen]

Started at 19. Still 19. Still can't sample on brewery tours. It's a tough life.


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In before shut down haha


I got my start 3 years ago at 26. It was slow at work and my boss was talking with everyone how she used to brew beer with her boyfriend in the 80's. She then asked why I didn't make beer since drank it all the time. She was being completely sarcastic since she knew my love for beer and I tended to show up to work hungover more than I'd like to admit. It was that very moment when the light bulb when off in my head and I had an epiphany. I began researching like crazy and I found this site. I then found Palmer's online book, read it about 10 times and bought my starter kit online from Morebeer. Here I am, thousands of dollars less in my account and countless hours gone. I wouldn't change a thing except for I wish I had started earlier. My boss has since become a guinea pig for all my brews ever since.

 

[pablosbrewing]

20 years ago, I was 29.