I guess I'm a drug dealer now?!

[spokaniac]

My neighbors watch us every time we're in the pool, have even shot them a moon a few times. That gets rid of them for a few days. Can't wait to get my AG set up and start brewing outside. Wear safety goggles and a respirator and really scare them off.

 

[dfc]

Which would you rather have? Cops that come over and ask you what you're doing? Or cops that come over for free burgers, and shoot the sh!t while you brew? I'd rather have the latter. Get on the cops good side, and if you ever need them, they'll do everything they can to help. Get on their bad side, and they'll be looking for you to F up.

I'm wondering if the reason you've never met a cop you like is because you gave them a reason to not like you. Cops are people too, and first impressions always leave a mark. You give them an attitude, and they'll remember that the next time they meet you. You invite them over for lunch, and they'll remember that too.

Yes, cops are people too, but unfortunately a lot of people are d-bags. If you give a d-bag authority they tend to become bigger d-bags. I've met some cool cops. I've also met a whole crapload of d-bags who become bigger d-bags because they have a badge.

 

[chalmer9]

I'm confused why you care what your neighbors think.

 

[dfc]

Sorry to go off topic, but if a white South African live in the US, does that makes them African American?

Yes.

 

[sudsmcgee]

You should see what I just got finished up with! Machine guns on 3rd Ave, 'enuff said. You can probably find it on NY1 or 1010.

Why is this weird? The right to own guns is protected, the right to brew beer is not.

 

[sudsmcgee]

Really freak them out, start dressing like a hells angel, park a motorcycle out front, have your friends come over on bikes dressed as bikers. Then go next door and say "I am cooking up my next batch, can you let me borrow some baking powder or Epsom salts?"

Also put your stire plate with flask with your starter in it on it on the kitchen counter and leave the blinds open so they can see in.

When I am brewing, I will have my starter outside to slowly warm up from the cold crash while I brew, so they see my top tier stand with 3 burners, 3 kettles, a pump, silicone hose, my chiller, all my ingredients , tools including my thermometer, refractometer, pH tester, baggies with hops, gypsum, irish moss, etc and my big Erlenmeyer flask. And I usually have a beer in my hand.

Off topic alert: I know this was a tongue in cheek comment, but actually doing this could get you a serious beating if not killed. 1% motorcycle clubs don't mess around and you shouldn't either, regardless of what you might feel about them. I do not recommend wearing a three piece patch unless you are in said club or don't mind being shot.

 

[MotorcycleMatt]

Off topic alert: I know this was a tongue in cheek comment, but actually doing this could get you a serious beating if not killed. 1% motorcycle clubs don't mess around and you shouldn't either, regardless of what you might feel about them. I do not recommend wearing a three piece patch unless you are in said club or don't mind being shot.

This!!!

Do not impersonate any 1%er, they are extremely territorial, and some wouldnt hesitate beating the crap out of you or worse for this.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Off topic alert: I know this was a tongue in cheek comment, but actually doing this could get you a serious beating if not killed. 1% motorcycle clubs don't mess around and you shouldn't either, regardless of what you might feel about them. I do not recommend wearing a three piece patch unless you are in said club or don't mind being shot.

How about this one?

 

[TyTanium]

How about this one?

They're even worse...Look out for that John T. guy...he'll blow up your brewery

 

[SittingDuck]

This!!!

Do not impersonate any 1%er, they are extremely territorial, and some wouldnt hesitate beating the crap out of you or worse for this.

Not to mention that it would be trademark infringement and they will sue.

 

[Airborneguy]

...and no doubt you'd be the first blood-sucker in line to help them with that, right?

 

[Fauxsho]

Next time they're watching, come out of the garage in your best blood stained wife beater, (or make one if you don't have one on hand) throw some garbage bags in the trunk of you car, slam it closed, and give them the "I'm watching you" point.

This should work, I'm almost 96% positive.

 

[BuddyWeiser]

this should work, i'm almost 96% positive.

+1 I agree! But don't forget to toss in the shovel afterwards.

 

[bobz32]

I felt a bit suspicious when my friend and I had to separate our bulk order of 50lbs of DME into 3lb ziplock baggies, and had to empty the bag out in front of my house so the white powder would fly everywhere.

Then again, I live in Baltimore city, so this probably looked normal.

 

[petey_c]

Sorry, you're both wrong (BuddyWeiser/Fauxsho). That kinda stuff needs to be done at night. It's more sinister (and accurate). Not too late that the neighbors are asleep, or make just enough "noise" to wake them up.
Seriously though, don't create more problems for yourself or local LEO, who could in turn, make your life more difficult.

 

[Chuck_Swillery]

All sounds like a scene off "The Burbs."

 

[Fauxsho]

Honestly, if they don't respond to you being an affable neighbor, I'd say have fun with it. I agree wholeheartedly with all of the previous "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar" posters, but if you've tried to reach out, and also spoken with the local PD, then why not?

As a homebrewer I'm sure you're already creative. This just gives you another avenue to be creative and possibly make brew day that much more fun and exciting. Hell, you could even turn this whole experience into a blog - I'd read it! Making some delicious homebrew and throwing your neighbor for a loop all at the same time.

You never know, it could be a blessing in disguise, just make sure you have fun doing it.

 

[Fauxsho]

+1 I agree! But don't forget to toss in the shovel afterwards.

Oh yeah, lets accessorize. But if we throw in the shovel we might as well throw in the Jason mask and a rusty machete. Either way, I stand behind the 96%.

 

[bighorn_brew]

My friend, in Lewiston idaho was given two carboys and a corny keg. I don't know what was on or in the carboys but he decided to take them to the car wash to wash. Anyway, a jack@&$! there at the carwash, not employee but a another guy using the wash gave my friend grief, he came over and was like "what are you up to" and "this seems suspicious what are those things" to which my friend said something to the effect "none of your business get bent." But, since the guy was being persistant chris told him they were for brewing beer. And this guy goes on threatening to call cops suspects their is meth equipment being cleaned at the wash. Chris, my friend, was understandably upset but if I know him like I think I do I am sure he told that guy what he can do with the cell phone.....below is the text I received yesterday as it was occurring....

 

[RandomBeerGuy]

You should clean your guns outside and brew at this same time. While wearing a tinfoil peter pan hat.

We had the same thing when we moved. I did just offer the neighbors some brew and now they look forward to my sessions.

 

[brownribbon]

Hank's brother in law is a homebrewer. It comes up quite a bit, he hands it out to his DEA friends and even had a bottle explode in the garage and thought it was a gunshot remember?

Yeah except it's Hank is the one who brews (Walt's BIL). I lit up in the scene where Hank was bottling and I recognized the capper!

 

[roadymi]

Polygamy Porter one excellent beer. I use to drink it all the time when I was stationed in UT.
I say call the cops over and offer them a beer or at least let them know what you do and that you fully expect the neighbors to call you in as a meth cooker because they are telling the neighbors that. Then the cops can tell the neighbors to p!ss off.

Best plan i've read yet

 

[unionrdr]

It never ceases to amaze me how many people claim we home brewers have "what looks like a meth lab or somethibg" or "looks like he's cooking meth". Even though they've never seen how it's done or what the tools of that particular trade look like. Nosey busybody idiots.
I got that once when I had the door open on a warm day while bottling a batch. Fool was on a cell phone making with "idk,it looks like a meth lab or something". Since then the cops have made some real BS excuses to come over. But seeing delabeled beer bottles on my tree next to a couple of fermenters,equipment stored underneath with stacks of empty bottles next to it told the real story. How can people that are mostly white colar around be so ignorant & wanton trouble makers?

 

[petey_c]

When I'm brewing, I wonder if people think it's unusual to have a garden hose going into my kitchen window. I keep my immersion chiller in it's original box so people (passers by) don't think it's part of a still. I'm fortunate to have great neighbors. Two who have known me for 40+ years.

 

[TalkingGoats]

Sneak into their house when they are out and put a pound of dme, and a dry packet of yeast in their toilet reservoirs.

 

[landshark]

Sneak into their house when they are out and put a pound of dme, and a dry packet of yeast in their toilet reservoirs.

This is brilliant. I love this idea.

 

[amrmedic]

Ok, what is a toilet reservoir? Is that the toilet tank?

Really freak them out, one morning get dressed in a white shirt and black tie then knock on their door and ask if they would like a copy of the "watchtower" and if they have a relationship with Jesus Christ?

 

[spearko520]

if your sabotaging their plumbing, you can fill a bread bag with hydraulic cement and dump it down their sewer vent.

 

[CreamyGoodness]

Or just poop in the tank for an upper decker! Sardines work too!

if your sabotaging their plumbing, you can fill a bread bag with hydraulic cement and dump it down their sewer vent.

 

[amrmedic]

Remind me not to piss you guys off if you ever become my neighbors! LOL