How to give away your brew

[Rythmicjea]

So, I don't have a large family and we're pretty spread out and (there are family members that suffer from alcoholism) for the exception of my sister and myself my family doesn't drink that much. My friends do drink but not in the "bottle of wine a day" amount. Not realizing the actual amount of bottles even one gallon produces I have quite a bit of storage.

I know it's illegal to sell my stuff without all the proper licensing, etc but are there ways to give it away? Is fundraising a legal avenue? Donate X get a bottle in return and the like.

I also have that fear that people won't like it. I gave a bottle to a friend and I don't know how long it stayed in their fridge unopened. Another friend said they had to add Sprite to it. Ciders are what I've made and they come out dry and more like wine with 13% ABVs.

Thanks!

 

[mongoose33]

1. You can give your beer away.

2. Selling it is not legal in most places, perhaps all places, without a license.

3. It's going to be hard to even consider selling it if people won't even take it for free. I am a believer in the 2nd-serving theory of beer feedback. That is, most people will be generous in their assessment of your beer, but what really determines if they like it is whether they have a second one.

Now, some of that is related to free. Some people will keep drinking if it's free, even though they might not care for it 100 percent.

*************

I'm starting to make some pretty good beer. Lately I've gotten a few "Oh, wow!" reactions from people.

Here's what I've done: I try, every time I brew, to do something better. Every time. Then I make those changes permanent. Things like controlling mash temp better, oxygenating the wort, oxygenating the starter, fermentation temp control, getting oxygen out of the transfer from fermenter to keg, things like that.

If you keep doing things the same old way, you'll get the same old reaction. Figure out what best practices are, then adopt them as best you can.

Good luck and brew on!

PS: I don't care for cider. I don't care how good it is.

PPS: I gave my son a few bottles of Darth Lager when he was home last week. He sent me a text Friday night: "I split a bottle of Darth Lager with A** (his girlfriend). She normally stays away from dark beers, and tried it hesitantly. Her reaction: 'That's good....that's really good.'"

Made my night.

 

[Zimm9]

It's possible people aren't enthusiastic about the styles you're brewing. My family/friends who drink beer are mostly BMC, and the other half hate beer. I've been trying to find a good cider recipe for the latter but they'll also require back sweetening and a lot of it - they're the type who think Redd's is good while I think it tastes like pure syrup. I started out by asking people what they like to drink and I've been trying to throw in a batch here and there based on that feedback.

I like the 2nd-serving theory but what I've encountered is that people give the "excuse" that they don't want to drink too much of my special brew. I'm not sure if they're just being polite or if they really do respect that it's not something you can just go grab another case off the shelf.

 

[mongoose33]

It's possible people aren't enthusiastic about the styles you're brewing. My family/friends who drink beer are mostly BMC, and the other half hate beer. I've been trying to find a good cider recipe for the latter but they'll also require back sweetening and a lot of it - they're the type who think Redd's is good while I think it tastes like pure syrup. I started out by asking people what they like to drink and I've been trying to throw in a batch here and there based on that feedback.

I like the 2nd-serving theory but what I've encountered is that people give the "excuse" that they don't want to drink too much of my special brew. I'm not sure if they're just being polite or if they really do respect that it's not something you can just go grab another case off the shelf.

Style is important. I'm not a stout fan. I've tried to like Guinness, I really have, but I just don't. You wouldn't see me second-serving any stout you brewed.

Same with Belgians. I find the flavor....cloying. And yet, I've been called upon to judge them and can identify what a good Belgian should be. Just don't care for them.

I think it's easier if there are many styles to choose from. I have, at any one time, perhaps six or seven beers available. They range from a lighter SMASH that's reminiscent of BMC beers (except mine have flavor ), to a Rye ale that's like a punch in the mouth with flavor. And some others here and there.

So perhaps the trick is to have a good pipeline of beers for people to try.

***************

Perhaps THE best advice I ever read here--and it's really not advice, just an observation--came from Yooper with her comment about Ugly Baby Syndrome. That is, since it's my baby--my beer--it must be beautiful. After all, I made it. So we tend to overlook what's not good, loving the part that is good.

I think she's right. I've changed how I evaluate my own beers, going from looking for what's good in it, to looking for what's not good. I'm trying to be as critical as I can, mouthfeel, finish, flavor, hoppiness, whatever.

I have a friend who has a palate to die for. He can perceive flavors I never find in beer. So I ask him to test. I give him a sixer of a few beers and ask for critical feedback. He isn't mean, but I ask him to bump right up against mean, i.e., I want critical feedback. Off flavors, lack of this or that, whatever. It's useful both for when I don't quite hit, but it's also just as useful for when I do.

Then, of course, you have to do something with the information. Adjust the recipe, adjust the process, whatever it takes to move toward excellence.

 

[TeamAshBrewing]

Laws vary by state and sometimes by city when it comes to homebrew, and sometimes there is a gray area that can be open for interpretation as well. I have heard that even just transporting homebrew can be tricky in some states.

In Minnesota, you can give away homebrew. I give it to churches, local fund raisers, etc, when I have a surplus. They auction it off, use it to thank volunteers, or whatever.
I also do a pay it forward type of concept. I give someone homebrew, and in return, they donate money to a charity. I have a favorite charity and encourage them to donate there, but they can donate anywhere. They get beer and a tax benefit. I don't require or collect for the donation.

 

[Rythmicjea]

I haven't tried my hand at actual beers yet. I was really skeptical about what people would think about my cider I accidentally aged for four years. I did add FAJC because it was too dry for my taste. I heated it and mulled it and 3/4 of the gallon was gone by the end of the night (there was only five of us and other liquor being served) so I consider that a win. I tried it cold and it tasted better than I expected.

The other fruit ciders I made, to me, have a weird after taste. I think it's because of the champagne yeast (if I attempt again I'll use a different yeast. Taking recs though!) and they are dryer than I like. (It's crossed my path to just pour them out.)

I LOVE watching the process of my "yeasties"; but I'm SUPER critical of myself and my finished product.

 

[Zimm9]

From reading through a fraction of the mountain that is Edwort's apfelwein thread, I'd suggest letting the stuff you have age longer. Assuming you're not short on space! A lot of people suggested that ciders/apfelwein sort of recipes do well with a lot of age (maybe the same holds true for other fruit?). Or you could serve it mulled again. Sounds really good and your company must have agreed.

 

[Lefou]

In February four gallons of American-style blonde got brewed and it lasted me up until mid-June. Some of it was given away, maybe a six pack of twelve small longnecks. I wasn't really willing to part with it for fear of criticism. When I did have time to catch up with the folks who got the small gift they asked when I was going to make more.
That's tentatively positive. Not sure if it was because it was free or because it was actually good, but in my opinion, it was good ... so much so I debated giving it away in the first place. Not everyone likes what you like but it feels good to share.