Most annoying response when you tell someone you're a homebrewer?

[treacheroustexan]

"You must save so much money!" ....

 

[TrustyOlJohnson]

I don't know, man, I know a guy who mostly does kit brews and isn't that experienced, but when he decides to go off kits he's always making some kind of peanut butter cocoa caramel banana bacon stout. Just pouring crap from his pantry into his kettle. And he's always like, "I don't know why, but my last beer didn't turn out so great."

But as I said I also had trouble convincing someone there wasn't any kind of spice in my beer, that it's just belgian yeast character--so I think some people have other misconceptions about how much you can do to make two beers different without putting tamarind and paprika and clove in it or something. Amateur "specialty beers" are usually bad.

And now I REALLY want to make a peanut butter cocoa caramel banana bacon stout. But Im gonna add wheat to it. Cause Im a homebrewer, and I always change a recipe!


"Sometimes Im right half of the time ...."

 

[Scubadude918]

I get the "It tastes like beer" response from my wife too, and it is annoying. But to be fair, if someone handed me a glass of wine and asked for my opinion on it, I'm not sure I could do much better.

Yeah. Wine. I could on a good day tell the style. That's it. Flavor picking; I'm at a loss.


____________________________
Primary: Cider
Primary: Kölsch

 

[skitter]

"You must save so much money!" ....

I actually do I brew on a budget, and brew cause I can't afford to buy that much beer...

 

[beaksnbeer]

I actually do I brew on a budget, and brew cause I can't afford to buy that much beer...

+1 200 gallons every year a $1000 budget

 

[sudbuster]

For me, when I tell someone I homebrew and the respond "Moonshinin' Nice!", makes me want to slap the **** out of someone. This is why only my good friends get to try my whiskey.

A condescending, "you're 'trailer trash' look" as they walk away.

 

[copyright1997]

I don't know, man, I know a guy who mostly does kit brews and isn't that experienced, but when he decides to go off kits he's always making some kind of peanut butter cocoa caramel banana bacon stout. Just pouring crap from his pantry into his kettle. And he's always like, "I don't know why, but my last beer didn't turn out so great."

But as I said I also had trouble convincing someone there wasn't any kind of spice in my beer, that it's just belgian yeast character--so I think some people have other misconceptions about how much you can do to make two beers different without putting tamarind and paprika and clove in it or something. Amateur "specialty beers" are usually bad.

I think this is a common problem with brewers, especially new ones. They make one kit and for the 2nd batch decide they need to make up a new recipe for a super high abv kick butt Chocolate Peanut Butter Coffee IPA'sh stout.

Although most don't listen, I always suggest to people that they make a clone of a craft beer they like for two reasons:
1. They know they will like the result (if done properly)
2. By brewing a clone, they have a easy way to determine the results of the batch compared to a "known good", and can work on process and technique.

 

[Scubadude918]

+1


____________________________
Primary: Cider
Primary: Kölsch

 

[troy2000]

A condescending, "you're 'trailer trash' look" as they walk away.

I haven't gotten that. Of course, most of the people who know I brew are coworkers. And even though most of them are Bud Light drinkers, they all want some of mine; if I gave some to everyone who wants to try it, there wouldn't be any left for me. Even a guy who hasn't had a drink in twenty years asked me if he could get a bottle out of my next batch.

Apparently, those who've actually had some say good things about my beer. On the other hand, there used to be another homebrewer here. He retired about the time I arrived fifteen years ago, and the general consensus is that eventually he managed to make beer that was drinkable.

 

[troy2000]

I think this is a common problem with brewers, especially new ones. They make one kit and for the 2nd batch decide they need to make up a new recipe for a super high abv kick butt Chocolate Peanut Butter Coffee IPA'sh stout.

Although most don't listen, I always suggest to people that they make a clone of a craft beer they like for two reasons:
1. They know they will like the result (if done properly)
2. By brewing a clone, they have a easy way to determine the results of the batch compared to a "known good", and can work on process and technique.

That's good advice. I've inspired a coworker in his early twenties to try brewing - but in spite of me suggesting that he start with something simple and work up, he insists that his very first batch is going to be a strong smoked porter. Ah well... when he blows it and gives up in disgust, maybe I'll be able to snag some of the fancy equipment he's undoubtedly going to buy.

 

[Hello]

After trying my beer someone said, "I can't believe this was drinkable."

 

[rlmiller10]

That's good advice. I've inspired a coworker in his early twenties to try brewing - but in spite of me suggesting that he start with something simple and work up, he insists that his very first batch is going to be a strong smoked porter. Ah well... when he blows it and gives up in disgust, maybe I'll be able to snag some of the fancy equipment he's undoubtedly going to buy.

I have to admit guilt on that. My first beer was an easy Amber Ale. But next had to be a strong bourbon barrel porter. I will say I got lucky though, I tried it side by side with Odell brewing Woodcut #7 and it is very close in flavor.

Still I hope it mellows out as it is only OK (I thought the Woodcut was only OK as well). And now I have 48 bottles tied up waiting. I need to drink faster to keep enough free bottles for the next batch.

 

[JohnSand]

I have tried brewing ahead of my learning a few times. Some have worked out, another not so much. I did learn from though, if only not to rush the curve. I also advise new brewers to stick to established recipes. I still use proven recipes, though with slight changes.

 

[wbarber69]

I never picked up a how to brew book or anything. I just grab a recipe go to the brewshop and start making beer. It's not like its hard or anything. I learn something everytime. To me it gives me more understanding of what's happening. If I screw something up I can taste where I went wrong. And therefore I can explain to a beer virgin what's going on. Once they have been versed on the style and what to expect from the beer, I tend to get more straightforward opinions from tasters. If they don't like it they can tell me why.

 

[troy2000]

I have to admit guilt on that. My first beer was an easy Amber Ale. But next had to be a strong bourbon barrel porter. I will say I got lucky though, I tried it side by side with Odell brewing Woodcut #7 and it is very close in flavor.

Still I hope it mellows out as it is only OK (I thought the Woodcut was only OK as well). And now I have 48 bottles tied up waiting. I need to drink faster to keep enough free bottles for the next batch.

At least you tried one easy one first....

When the kid I was talking about hired on, I had to train him. Do you know how hard it is to teach someone who isn't really listening, because he already knows everything?

The first morning, he actually started texting someone while I was in the middle of explaining something important. I told him, "if you do that again while I'm talking to you, I'm going to break your thumbs - and maybe your phone while I'm at it."

 

[flars]

At least you tried one easy one first....

When the kid I was talking about hired on, I had to train him. Do you know how hard it is to teach someone who isn't really listening, because he already knows everything?

The first morning, he actually started texting someone while I was in the middle of explaining something important. I told him, "if you do that again while I'm talking to you, I'm going to break your thumbs - and maybe your phone while I'm at it."

You didn't show him the door! Was he a close relative?

 

[bleme]

I think this is a common problem with brewers, especially new ones. They make one kit and for the 2nd batch decide they need to make up a new recipe for a super high abv kick butt Chocolate Peanut Butter Coffee IPA'sh stout.

When I first started, I was doing kits and I would split the batch, do half to recipe and experiment on the other half so I could taste exactly what the difference was. I didn't do anything too radical though - added bourbon vanilla to a cream ale, added blueberries to an American Wheat, that kind of stuff.

 

[rlmiller10]

At least you tried one easy one first....

When the kid I was talking about hired on, I had to train him. Do you know how hard it is to teach someone who isn't really listening, because he already knows everything?

The first morning, he actually started texting someone while I was in the middle of explaining something important. I told him, "if you do that again while I'm talking to you, I'm going to break your thumbs - and maybe your phone while I'm at it."

We all knew everything when we were 20. We were also invincible, bullet proof and Gods in bed.

By 30 I didn't know near as much.

 

[kevron]

We all knew everything when we were 20. We were also invincible, bullet proof and Gods in bed.

By 30 I didn't know near as much.

I am constantly amazed at how much I started not knowing everything at around 27. I will be 30 in a few months, and I feel as though I don't know anything at all. Sometimes I wonder how I remember to put my pants on in the morning.

 

[PRE66_6TART]

We all knew everything when we were 20.

My kid's only 7 and he already knows everything

 

[JohnSand]

When I first started, I was doing kits and I would split the batch, do half to recipe and experiment on the other half so I could taste exactly what the difference was. I didn't do anything too radical though - added bourbon vanilla to a cream ale, added blueberries to an American Wheat, that kind of stuff.

Okay, but, that's smart!

 

[troy2000]

You didn't show him the door! Was he a close relative?

I don't hire and fire; they just paired him with me to learn the ropes after he came back from a few months of company school. To add insult to injury: during contract negotiations the next year he told me he would cross the picket line if we went on strike, because 'I have bills to pay.' Like the rest of us didn't....

Then a few months later, he ran for my position on the union's executive board. I think he was genuinely surprised when no one would second his nomination.

 

[Zepth]

... during contract negotiations the next year he told me he would cross the picket line if we went on strike, because 'I have bills to pay.' Like the rest of us didn't....

While it is very true that everyone has bills to pay it is also true that some tend to live a little closer to the line that others. At my workplace people asking for advances is common whereas I tend to have a couple months expenses available at all times without needing to liquidate other assets. Not that I'd like to eat away my reserve fund while not working, that is certainly a terrible plan.

 

[troy2000]

While it is very true that everyone has bills to pay it is also true that some tend to live a little closer to the line that others. At my workplace people asking for advances is common whereas I tend to have a couple months expenses available at all times without needing to liquidate other assets. Not that I'd like to eat away my reserve fund while not working, that is certainly a terrible plan.

He was living with his parents and driving a junker, and he's almost as tight with a dollar as his dad is. So I'm not sure what bills he had that were so urgent....

Had we gone on strike, it would have been for issues that affect his next thirty years, not mine. I'm gone in a year anyway and my benefits weren't at risk. The company was offering to grandfather-in older employees' pensions and health plans, in the hopes that we'd say, 'screw it. I got mine; why should I go on strike to support a bunch of young punks?'

And after listening to the little turd volunteering to backstab us while we fought for him, I have to admit I did ask myself that.... I decided I shouldn't penalize his future wife and kids just because he's a shortsighted idiot.

 

[Zepth]

.... I decided I shouldn't penalize his future wife and kids just because he's a shortsighted idiot.

She chose him! This thread will get back with annoying responses soon, we're dangerously close to "annoying coworkers" territory.

 

[troy2000]

She chose him! This thread will get back with annoying responses soon, we're dangerously close to "annoying coworkers" territory.

Didn't mean to derail the thread. Here's one that fits both categories:

I think I've already mentioned the coworker who tells me with monotonous regularity that he doesn't have the patience to brew; when he wants a beer, he wants it now. I've tried explaining that I don't wait until I feel like having a beer before I start making some.....

 

[Zepth]

Didn't mean to derail the thread. Here's one that fits both categories:

I think I've already mentioned the coworker who tells me with monotonous regularity that he doesn't have the patience to brew; when he wants a beer, he wants it now. I've tried explaining that I don't wait until I feel like having a beer before I start making some.....

Not the first derail, certainly not the last. Nobody seems to mind a great deal anyways (queue the peanut gallery)

I've got a couple friends like that and countless coworkers who have the exact same thought pattern. "6 hours of work and you don't get results for at least a month? Nope that ain't for me." I'll admit the first little while was tough to get the pipeline primed, now I'm brewing beyond my personal drinking capacity. No problems having to wait now.

 

[Wingnutt73]

Not the first derail, certainly not the last. Nobody seems to mind a great deal anyways (queue the peanut gallery)

I've got a couple friends like that and countless coworkers who have the exact same thought pattern. "6 hours of work and you don't get results for at least a month? Nope that ain't for me." I'll admit the first little while was tough to get the pipeline primed, now I'm brewing beyond my personal drinking capacity. No problems having to wait now.

I just had this happen to me this morning. My team lead comes up to asking about water profiles. Me and some others where I work are getting really into the whole chemistry of the brewing process. My team lead says "Man why would you try and match water from Germany? If I want a dang Germany Beer I'll go buy 2 and not worry about making water."

:smack:

 

[troy2000]

Got hit today with another one I hear with monotonous regularity, in one form or another: "so are you gonna start selling some of this on the side, to pay for making it?"

-Ah... no.

"Why not?"

-Because I'd have to take the money I made selling beer, and go buy beer with it.

I gave up long ago on trying to explain the legal and practical hurdles in the way of selling homebrew. Assuming I was crazy enough to want to....

 

[unionrdr]

I stopped at the drive through across from the college yesterday after dropping my son off at work for another 6'r for when brew day was done. I mentioned to the girl there that it was National Home Brewer's day & that I didn't have any to drink yet. She looked at me kinda sheepishly & giggled. You'd think someone in her position would know that. Guess not?...