Losing motivation

[thood6]

I almost have an empty fermenter. This hasn't happened in over a year. I just CANT make myself set up and brew for some reason. Things have been crappy lately with swmbo (my brew partner) and it has just sucked the will right out of me.

To make matters worse I have Keg problems(dip tube clogged with hops) so I can't even dispense the the beer i already have made.

Does this happen to y'all? How do y'all pull yourselves out of brewing funks when you lose motivation?

 

[alane1]

have one of your favorite commercial beers, and know in your heart that you could do it better!!!

 

[BobbiLynn]

When I get close to running out of beer, that motivates me. Have brewed plenty of times when I didn't really feel like it, back hurt, tired. Made myself get it started, once started, the rest went smoothly and distracted me from all the other crap that life brings along.

 

[SmokeNbrew]

Sounds like not being able to brew is the least of the situation...

fix the swmbo and fix the dip tube. life will be good.

 

[Revvy]

Yeah, we've talked about it on here on occasion. Everyone has slumps, and some obviously by the amount of gear on craigslist, give it up for good. I've actually haven brewed since the new year (haven't since between Christmas and New Years where I brewed 2 batches.)

Since the New Year, I've gotten heavily into charcuterie and that's been more interesting than brewing, in fact I had a three day weekend and planned to brew, and made IPA pickles. But my kegs are about to kick. So hopefully I'll kick my butt and do it Saturday.

I know it'll ramp up come May and Natl Homebrew Day when we have a mega brew, that will spark me brewing more again, and when the weather is warm they'll be more group brews amongst the local homebrewtalkers.

If you love it enough, and un sort the relationship issue which is tangled up in it, you'll probably brew again, and that will spark you.

 

[Bulls Beers]

My slump time seems to be in the dead of summer, but once September comes I'm right back into it...I try and brew a ton right before those summer months.. I usually have plenty to get me through.

 

[techbrewie]

I find drinking beer is the ultimate solution

 

[Varmintman]

I do not really have times I do not want to brew but I get times I do not drink as much. Poses a kind of weird dilemma trying to find places to stash all the beer.

 

[jeffjm]

Forget about brewing beer for a while. You've been at it a good long while and it sounds like a break is in order. I get that way every once in a while and find a month or two off really helps. Then something strikes my interest.

In the meantime - maybe try a mead in that empty fermenter?

 

[Beernik]

I went through a brewing slump for 1.5 years. Was having marital problems and my mom was serious health problems.

I also go through periods in the summer where all I want to drink are martinis and from November to February outdoor temps don't make for friendly brewing conditions.

Enjoy drinking down your reserves and when you feel like brewing again, enjoy building them back up.

Best of luck with SWMBO

 

[lumpher]

kinda kicking myself out of 1 of those times right now. had to make myself make dme beers to keep myself in beer. just bought a chugger pump, and started researching how i want to use it. bought another bag of grain and some specialty grains, and ground some tonight for my next 10g brew. now i can't wait to start again ( probably tomorrow, since i work at home )

 

[jmendez29]

Ok. First. Fix the keg. Not that hard, and it will get one problem out of the way, incidentally, the easy one.

Second, take the wife out. Put the problems away and forget them for an afternoon. Whenever I do this, I come back to reality afterward and realize the problems tend to be fairly petty. Maybe go on a brewery tour, or "discover" a new brewery. Maybe with the idea of finding something new for the both of you to brew. But most importantly, remind her what she means to you.

And if you legitimately need a break, there's no shame in that. We'll be here waiting for you when you come back

 

[Homercidal]

Forget the beer. It will always be there. Work out the problems with the woman. That's the only thing worth worrying about.

 

[Hang Glider]

^ this.

My swmbo was my brew partner since the beginning. She and I couldn't work it out, and she left just before Christmas. In fact, she just came back with a truck last weekend to clear out "all memories" of our time together.

I've got three kegs empty, the fourth one is over half gone - and I can't bring myself to brew without her...been buying commercial crafts for a while now.

but time heals all wounds - fix the relationship if you can !!!

 

[Darwin18]

What Homercidal said!

Also, for me, I know that the change in seasons from winter to spring always make me want to be more active and do more things, including brewing.

 

[thood6]

Thanks everyone. Certainly the wife comes first. It's just odd because I haven't really gone through a slump before. I won't be going the craigslist route for sure.