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

[newkirk]

Had someone the other day (employee at liquor store) ask me "so you've got the still and everything?" - I just shook my head and walked away.

j

 

[MaryB]

Guys doing the water and sewer construction in town saw me brewing. One came up and said "So you make homebrew swill?" I challenged him to come by after work for a beer tasting in blind glasses(red solo cups). I poured a Miller Lite(blech borrowed from a friend, I refuse to buy it), a Budweiser(borrowed), and a glass of my house ale. He tasted all 3 then said mine was best, the rest of the other 6 guys picked mine too. So I told them all they just drank a fresh homebrew and not a beer that has been caned and sterilized by heat then sat on a shelf or in a warehouse for 3 months. 2 of the 6 are coming back fro brewing lessons and to figure out what they should buy to get started. Especially when I pointed out that glass of homebrew they all tasted cost me 25 cents to make instead of $1.50+++ a glass!

 

[GHBWNY]

In general, I don't voluntarily offer that I'm a home brewer. Depending on the situation and the context, if it is brought up it is usually by my wife or a friend. The response is almost always the same: "Really?" And then pretty much silence. Beyond that, the majority of people have no concept of what home brewed beer is, much less the process, and consequently are at a loss to know what to say about it.

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

what I get is you should sell your beer, and then I have to explain the law over and over

 

[bleme]

what I get is you should sell your beer, and then I have to explain the law over and over

Exactly. I even had a local liquor store offer to carry it! I'm always amazed at how stupid people can be. Then I get on the freeway...

 

[MaxStout]

Had someone the other day (employee at liquor store) ask me "so you've got the still and everything?" - I just shook my head and walked away.

j

I get that one a lot. "Uhhh, you got a still in yer basement?"

The kooky old dude across the street came over one Saturday last month when I was brewing in my garage. He spotted the copper IC sitting in a bucket. "I knew you had a still! I knew it!"

 

[Kee]

I get that one a lot. "Uhhh, you got a still in yer basement?"

The kooky old dude across the street came over one Saturday last month when I was brewing in my garage. He spotted the copper IC sitting in a bucket. "I knew you had a still! I knew it!"

I've seen quite a few people that want to argue what the laws are concerning homebrewing and distilling (often equating the two). Some think homebrewing is illegal, others that distilling is legal in their state. Print-outs of federal or state statutes do not convince the most stubborn.

 

[MaxStout]

I've seen quite a few people that want to argue what the laws are concerning homebrewing and distilling (often equating the two). Some think homebrewing is illegal, others that distilling is legal in their state. Print-outs of federal or state statutes do not convince the most stubborn.

It's futile arguing with someone who has a GED in law.

 

[ShareBrewing]

The "is it legal?" question comes up a lot but then once they try the beer they ask if I sell it and distribute.

Me: "No my friend, THAT is illegal!"

I think I've had to explain this concept to nearly every single one of my friends that I share beer with.... multiple times! That's why so many homebrewers start breweries!

 

[ShareBrewing]

Another frequent exchange-

Them: "How do you drink it? Like a from a big keg and tap?"

Me: "No, I bottle it."

This is where their mind does mental flips to conceive of how one puts liquid into a sealed glass vessel. It's funny to watch people's faces contort with grappling with the idea of putting homebrewed beer in a BOTTLE, something they've drank beer from their whole adult lives.

Them: "Wait... so how you seal it and get the caps on? You must have a big bottling line or pressing machine?"

Me: "Nope. Hand-press." *mimicking the bottle capping press with my two hands.*

This only leaves them more confused that such a simple object exists and that one could master it. SMH... some people think the beer just magically makes its way into a bottle...

 

[GHBWNY]

What annoys me is when I see someone drink a homebrew (even a comm. craft brew) right from the bottle. Which is why when serving someone one of mine, I always pour it into a glass for them, leaving them no option but to admire the color, the head, the lacing, and the aroma. And obviously, the taste. A homebrew is IMO much tastier from a glass. Much.

 

[jonny24]

What annoys me is when I see someone drink a homebrew (even a comm. craft brew) right from the bottle. Which is why when serving someone one of mine, I always pour it into a glass for them, leaving them no option but to admire the color, the head, the lacing, and the aroma. And obviously, the taste. A homebrew is IMO much tastier from a glass. Much.

I've told my dad this a million times, pointing out that he's gonna stir up all the sediment (which unfortunately there's a fair amount sometimes). He always shrugs and says he doesn't really care about that. I don't have much of a problem with that, what I do have a problem with is that when I bring a case to share at family gatherings, he goes around handing bottles to everyone. So they all end up drinking from the bottle and I'm not right there to tell them all to pour it.... frustrating.

I'm going to start kegging soon and bottling off there, so it won't matter :rockin:

 

[Jako]

"That must be a lot cheaper than buying beer!" If only that were the case...

in Utah it is. 6 pack can cost $12 or more for okay beer.

 

[BBQB]

I've told my dad this a million times, pointing out that he's gonna stir up all the sediment (which unfortunately there's a fair amount sometimes). He always shrugs and says he doesn't really care about that. I don't have much of a problem with that, what I do have a problem with is that when I bring a case to share at family gatherings, he goes around handing bottles to everyone. So they all end up drinking from the bottle and I'm not right there to tell them all to pour it.... frustrating.



I'm going to start kegging soon and bottling off there, so it won't matter :rockin:

I apologize in advance for this post.

I wish my dad was still around.

Carry on.

 

[day_trippr]

I apologize in advance for this post.
I wish my dad was still around.
Carry on.

Totally feeling it. It's been almost 20 years and I still miss my dad...

 

[seatazzz]

Me too. My dad is still around, but riddled with Alzheimers and is a "recovering" alcoholic so I can't give him my beer. I kick myself a lot wishing I had started this hobby several years ago, he would have loved being a part of it. Yes I know that doesn't make much sense, but he had a drinking problem BECAUSE of the Alzheimers, as well as marriage issues (a whole nother kettle of nasty fish).

BOT - when I first started I was happy to give away bottles of what I had brewed...now the co-workers are irritated with me because it's a pain to bottle off the keg and share. At least that's what I tell them...I just want to keep it all to myself. This week I found out another co-worker is a budding home-brewer and grows hops in his backyard....trying to get him to join me in an all-grain brew (he's doing partial mash but is intrigued).

 

[Temptd2]

I apologize in advance for this post.

I wish my dad was still around.

Carry on.

Me too. Mine will be gone one year on the 18th of this month. Hard to believe it's already been a year.

He lived to be 91 years old and was in relatively good health his entire life! He was also my best friend. We had the best father/daughter relationship!:rockin:

 

[jcav]

I am lucky I still have my dad. He had a surgery a few months ago and it knocked him for a loop. The anesthesia was brutal and he ended up getting a clot in his lung and he coded twice. It put him in the nursing home for three months and he couldn't function or even get out of bed. He made a miraculous recovery and he was able to come home, thank God. He is doing better now and at least I still have him around. I am very thankful and I treasure the time I still have with him. He is a special man and an awesome father.


John

 

[MaryB]

Lost my dad 4 years ago, his heart just stopped... then he hit a semi head on but they think he was dead before he hit. He had a very enlarged heart(hereditary... mine is enlarged too) and the doc said they can just stop out of the blue. he was 72 and still working full time and on his way to a job site. Semi driver wasn't injured thankfully!

 

[MaxStout]

I apologize in advance for this post.

I wish my dad was still around.

Carry on.

I lost my dad in 2016, and my mom earlier this year. The one-two punch within a year was tough. Miss 'em both, dammit.

My dad used to look forward to me visiting, carrying a box with an assortment of homebrews. Mom loved the EdWort's apfelwein I made.

 

[Murphys_Law]

I started brewing after my step dad passed. He loved beer and I’d give anything to sit down and share one of my home brews with him now!!

 

[Brewpastor]

"Will you marry my daughter?"

 

[ShareBrewing]

What annoys me is when I see someone drink a homebrew (even a comm. craft brew) right from the bottle. Which is why when serving someone one of mine, I always pour it into a glass for them, leaving them no option but to admire the color, the head, the lacing, and the aroma. And obviously, the taste. A homebrew is IMO much tastier from a glass. Much.

This is one of my biggest pet-peeves when I share beer. I always say to pour it out and when they ask why, I simply say, "it's just the chemistry." Have had to explain this so many times that I just avoid the long-winded rant.

Trust is, most people don't care about drinking something properly or if it tastes wrong due to that fact. They just want to drink the damn beer.

 

[Schlenkerla]

This is one of my biggest pet-peeves when I share beer. I always say to pour it out and when they ask why, I simply say, "it's just the chemistry." Have had to explain this so many times that I just avoid the long-winded rant.

Trust is, most people don't care about drinking something properly or if it tastes wrong due to that fact. They just want to drink the damn beer.

I have gotten to point that drinking a 1 - 2oz, isn't enough to pass judgement. (Unless it's got a really bad flaw.) Having it in the right glass and at least 6 to 8 ounces. The head needs to die down, the gases bubble out, and the beer to warm slightly. Not to mention ponder several tastes that you get as you drink the beer casually over the next 10-20 minutes.

 

[jerbrew]

What annoys me is when I see someone drink a homebrew (even a comm. craft brew) right from the bottle. Which is why when serving someone one of mine, I always pour it into a glass for them, leaving them no option but to admire the color, the head, the lacing, and the aroma. And obviously, the taste. A homebrew is IMO much tastier from a glass. Much.

This is one of my biggest pet-peeves when I share beer. I always say to pour it out and when they ask why, I simply say, "it's just the chemistry." Have had to explain this so many times that I just avoid the long-winded rant.

Trust is, most people don't care about drinking something properly or if it tastes wrong due to that fact. They just want to drink the damn beer.

I have gotten to point that drinking a 1 - 2oz, isn't enough to pass judgement. (Unless it's got a really bad flaw.) Having it in the right class and at least 6 to 8 ounces. The head needs to die down, the gases bubble out, and the beer to warm slightly. Not to mention ponder several tastes that you get as you drink the beer casually over the next 10-20 minutes.

To me, this is just another notch for good reasons to keg. People have to come drink your beer and you get to supervise the experience. I only give bottles to people I trust will respect the beer/experience.

 

[mongoose33]

I have gotten to point that drinking a 1 - 2oz, isn't enough to pass judgement. (Unless it's got a really bad flaw.) Having it in the right class and at least 6 to 8 ounces. The head needs to die down, the gases bubble out, and the beer to warm slightly. Not to mention ponder several tastes that you get as you drink the beer casually over the next 10-20 minutes.

I'm so glad to hear someone say this. To me, I need to have a whole big swallow for me to get a sense of how a beer is. Is it satisfying to take a big good drink? Do I want to do it again?

This sip and swish around the mouth stuff has never worked for me. For others, maybe it does.

 

[bleme]

I'm so glad to hear someone say this. To me, I need to have a whole big swallow for me to get a sense of how a beer is. Is it satisfying to take a big good drink? Do I want to do it again?

This sip and swish around the mouth stuff has never worked for me. For others, maybe it does.

This depends a lot on the beer for me. There have been many brewfests where I was glad to only have a 2oz pour...

 

[Barley_Bob]

This depends a lot on the beer for me. There have been many brewfests where I was glad to only have a 2oz pour...

I've poured 2oz samples out.

 

[Schlenkerla]

I'm so glad to hear someone say this. To me, I need to have a whole big swallow for me to get a sense of how a beer is. Is it satisfying to take a big good drink? Do I want to do it again?

This sip and swish around the mouth stuff has never worked for me. For others, maybe it does.

I'm also particular to having the beer in the right glass. I was at the Map Room in Chicago and ordered three Schlenkerla Urbocks (Rauchbier). The bartender got three bottles and three glasses. They were typical pint glasses. I asked him to grab goblets or snifters for the beer. He told me its not the style since it a lager. (Odd that he knew this.) I'm like yeah I know. I told him this is a very aromatic smoked beer I want my buddies to get a good sense of aroma in this beer. He obliged and grabbed some St Bernardus goblets. I told him we all love to smoke food and this was real treat. He got a 20% tip. I think each beer was $9. He also handed me a pint glass of pretzel rods to boot.

 

[sjfischr]

For me, I can’t stand it when the conversation goes like this:
“I brewed this weekend.”
“Nice! Did you get drunk off your brew?”

First of all, it’s days or weeks before it’s ready (citing several earlier comments about a perceived “Instant Beer” miracle)

Secondly, and much more importantly, I have hundreds of pounds of stainless steel equipment, two propane burners, open flames, fittings that pinch, sh*t that can cut you, sh*t that can burn you, chemicals that will melt off your skin, and heavy keggles that you need to move with care, not beer muscles.

I rarely, if ever, drink anything while I brew (and if I do, it’s at the end long after flames are out and I’m just hosing stuff down). That’s all anyone needs is to explain to a spouse, an ER doc, or coworkers about how an accident happened.