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

[mongoose33]

Brewed 2 days ago... Fedex guy walks up to the garage(I had the overhead door open and was cleaning up) looks at the copper immersion chiller and flips out his phone and dials 911. Tells dispatch I am making moonshine and get a deputy out. Deputy was in town(one finally bought a house here so we have police coverage). Deputy walks up, says "HI Mary! What kind of beer can I sample in 2 weeks?" Fedex guys mouth hangs open and he starts stammering I am making moonshine illegally... deputy looks at him and says "it is beer, it is tasty, and get lost you idiot!".

Fedex guy stomped off to his truck muttering he was calling MN state patrol... who called the deputy, who told them it was a beer making setup. State patrol guy stopped in yesterday to check it out, said he has done some extract kits but has never seen a full blown all grain setup. I got his phone number and told him next time I brew I will try to work it into his schedule and he can see how easy it is. And can be done somewhat on a budget by scrounging!

Gave him my last 2 bottles of my "house" ale(one I make the most, friends all love it and it is a good easy drinking beer) I had in the fridge. I don't bottle much, normally keg but one keg is dented and holds less so I had enough left for 5 bottles last time around. Save them for when I want one at the end of brewing or to hand out as a sample. Might have a new convert to all grain brewing!

My plumber recently was over to fix something, and he saw my Hydra chiller. Asked if it was for distilling moonshine. I explained, of course. He noted he knows someone who would be interested in how it is constructed.....

Mary, if I were you, I think I might call FedEx and complain. Without asking you first what you were doing, the guy immediately jumped to the conclusion you were moonshining. Guilty until proven innocent.

I'm sure this ******* is also cataloging what he's delivering to people's houses. I think I would rather such a person wasn't delivering in my neighborhood.

 

[Schlenkerla]

Wow what a d bag

With what happened in San Bernardino, see something, say something isn't a bad idea. But to hang around for kudos and give the local cop $hit and then call the state is d-bag for sure.

 

[mongoose33]

With what happened in San Bernardino, see something, say something isn't a bad idea. But to hang around for kudos and give the local cop $hit and then call the state is d-bag for sure.

He's probably spying for someone who *is* moonshining, and trying to eliminate the competition.

The amazing thing about this to me: who believes someone doing illegal moonshining would do it in their garage with the doors open for all the world to see?

 

[Rhaop]

With what happened in San Bernardino, see something, say something isn't a bad idea. But to hang around for kudos and give the local cop $hit and then call the state is d-bag for sure.

Oh yeah see something say something is a great ideal, but see something call 911 wait there for police then say you’re calling different law enforcement, yeah like come on man even if she was distilling it isn’t that serious mind your $&@“ing business, thousands of people distill illegally i would bet, the police have bigger fish to fry out there, just my humble opinion

 

[Murphys_Law]

Brewed 2 days ago... Fedex guy walks up to the garage(I had the overhead door open and was cleaning up) looks at the copper immersion chiller and flips out his phone and dials 911. Tells dispatch I am making moonshine and get a deputy out. Deputy was in town(one finally bought a house here so we have police coverage). Deputy walks up, says "HI Mary! What kind of beer can I sample in 2 weeks?" Fedex guys mouth hangs open and he starts stammering I am making moonshine illegally... deputy looks at him and says "it is beer, it is tasty, and get lost you idiot!".

Fedex guy stomped off to his truck muttering he was calling MN state patrol... who called the deputy, who told them it was a beer making setup. State patrol guy stopped in yesterday to check it out, said he has done some extract kits but has never seen a full blown all grain setup. I got his phone number and told him next time I brew I will try to work it into his schedule and he can see how easy it is. And can be done somewhat on a budget by scrounging!

Gave him my last 2 bottles of my "house" ale(one I make the most, friends all love it and it is a good easy drinking beer) I had in the fridge. I don't bottle much, normally keg but one keg is dented and holds less so I had enough left for 5 bottles last time around. Save them for when I want one at the end of brewing or to hand out as a sample. Might have a new convert to all grain brewing!

I think I'd call FedEx and complain. That is completely uncalled for and I think his bosses would agree.

 

[Schlenkerla]

Oh yeah see something say something is a great ideal, but see something call 911 wait there for police then say you’re calling different law enforcement, yeah like come on man even if she was distilling it isn’t that serious mind your $&@“ing business, thousands of people distill illegally i would bet, the police have bigger fish to fry out there, just my humble opinion

I don't know if distilling is illegal, but it's generally the attempt at distribution that bites people.

 

[Azura]

I've never heard an annoying response from someone that just heard I brew beer. It generally leads to a pleasant conversation. Some people seem mystified by it and have a lot of questions. Others don't have much to say, but don't appear to be negatively judgmental. Some remain expressionless and have nothing to say. They are probably stabbing me behind my back when I'm not around.

 

[MaryB]

Did the FedEx guy have a package for you?

Like a new keg from northern brewer?

LOL

Gotta ask, why was he that close to your house to see a chiller.

Package yes, not a new keg. I was cleaning up and had the garage door open when he stopped to drop off some ham radio amplifier parts... one of my other hobbies that can make beer brewing look very cheap!

 

[MaryB]

That might be my favorite homebrew story ever! Why in hell does your FedEx guy give a sh!t if you ARE making shine? Yeah, FedEx would be getting a call and if homeskillet continues to work for them and continues to deliver packages to you, inspect every one of them with a fine tooth comb!

I rarely get the same fedex driver twice. They hate this route and quit because it is very rural and you get into the boondocks sometimes... back where some families do make shine! My grocery shopping twice a month is a 60 mile round trip... yes I am tiny town middle of nowhere rural!

I don't like Fedex, they know me well because the dirtbags leave my packages all over town... this driver has been to my house 3 times, and probably the last. He dumped my other 2 packages in 2 different spots in town and I went ballistic on fedex for it. Chronic problem, we take packages to the city office and the town clerk call whoever it is for to let them know where it is... So my guess is the dude thought he could get back at me for getting him in hot water...

 

[bleme]

@MaryB The whole time I was reading your story, I was picturing Barney Fife!

 

[MaryB]

Well they do give the deputies more than 1 bullet LOL but town size is about right!

 

[ShareBrewing]

Slightly off topic but still about ignorance of drinking culture. My SWBMO and I go to this wine fest every winter in Erie. Upon SWMBO telling her mom that there were crackers at every booth, her mom replies “Oh were they serving soup?!”

 

[Sprint10]

"wait so you actually make beer?"
"So you grow your own coffee beans, NICE!!"
"Are you an alcoholic at 14?"
"Do you actually drink it and does it taste good?
"You should bring to school so you can give me some!"

 

[ShareBrewing]

When a group of knowledgeable brewers have a conversation and are interrupted by a 14 year old claiming to know about and brew beer.

Please come back in a decade or so.

 

[deadwolfbones]

When a group of knowledgeable brewers have a conversation and are interrupted by a 14 year old claiming to know about and brew beer.

Please come back in a decade or so.

Get off yr high horse. I think it's pretty cool that he's interested in this stuff so early. The creative aspect is really good for your brain, and as long as his parents are supervising properly there's no moral issue.

 

[filthyastronaut]

Get off yr high horse. I think it's pretty cool that he's interested in this stuff so early. The creative aspect is really good for your brain, and as long as his parents are supervising properly there's no moral issue.

Yep, I got started around that age brewing with my dad, and probably would have been able to get away with my own batches if I took an interest to brewing on my own back then. No need to outright discourage the kid.

 

[troutman]

Can’t you afford “real” beer?

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

At a little out of state beer bar, and the owner comes over to talk about the history of the building and the beer that's on tap, when hubby blurts out "my wife is a brewer" and takes a HBC membership card from his wallet too. The owner just rolled with it and referred to me at a brew mistress, as opposed to brew master. Does anyone else think that "brew mistress" sounds a little naughty?

 

[doug293cz]

"wait so you actually make beer?"
"So you grow your own coffee beans, NICE!!"
"Are you an alcoholic at 14?"
"Do you actually drink it and does it taste good?
"You should bring to school so you can give me some!"

When a group of knowledgeable brewers have a conversation and are interrupted by a 14 year old claiming to know about and brew beer.

Please come back in a decade or so.

Get off yr high horse. I think it's pretty cool that he's interested in this stuff so early. The creative aspect is really good for your brain, and as long as his parents are supervising properly there's no moral issue.

Yep, I got started around that age brewing with my dad, and probably would have been able to get away with my own batches if I took an interest to brewing on my own back then. No need to outright discourage the kid.

Can’t you afford “real” beer?

HBT rules require that members be of legal drinking age in their jurisdiction. Sprint10 was banned for being underage the day after his post was made.

 

[biochemedic]

At a little out of state beer bar, and the owner comes over to talk about the history of the building and the beer that's on tap, when hubby blurts out "my wife is a brewer" and takes a HBC membership card from his wallet too. The owner just rolled with it and referred to me at a brew mistress, as opposed to brew master. Does anyone else think that "brew mistress" sounds a little naughty?

Depends on what you're doing with the beer....

 

[S-Met]

Does anyone else think that "brew mistress" sounds a little naughty?

Not sure how to answer, If I say no, will I get bent over your HLT and spanked with that big metal spoon hanging next to your kettle until I submiss?

 

[bleme]

Not sure how to answer, If I say no, will I get bent over your HLT and spanked with that big metal spoon hanging next to your kettle until I submiss?

That gives new meaning to the term 'mash paddle'

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

I just had to ask, didn't I?

Depends on what you're doing with the beer....

brewing, then drinking it mostly...

Not sure how to answer, If I say no, will I get bent over your HLT and spanked with that big metal spoon hanging next to your kettle until I submiss?

LOL, naughty. However, when she said that, I have to admit my mind went there.

 

[andrewmaixner]

HBT rules require that members be of legal drinking age in their jurisdiction. Sprint10 was banned for being underage the day after his post was made.

But he lives in Wisconsin. He is legally allowed to drink at 14, both in private and in a public establishment (such as a bar), when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Could he have his parent or legal guardian make the account, and accompany him when browsing the forums?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_laws_of_Wisconsin#Drinking_age

 

[rlmiller10]

At a little out of state beer bar, and the owner comes over to talk about the history of the building and the beer that's on tap, when hubby blurts out "my wife is a brewer" and takes a HBC membership card from his wallet too. The owner just rolled with it and referred to me at a brew mistress, as opposed to brew master. Does anyone else think that "brew mistress" sounds a little naughty?

In a good way. Please give me more mistress

 

[biochemedic]

I just had to ask, didn't I?
brewing, then drinking it mostly...

Oh, OK then...was wondering if perhaps the Brew Mistress was putting it in the other end, or perhaps some hot wort dripping on ... (Better stop while I'm ahead, and before the thread gets closed!!!)

 

[seatazzz]

Whoa....my husband ain't that fancy, he calls me his brew b***h. I can't say what I call his lazy non-brewing a**.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Whoa....my husband ain't that fancy, he calls me his brew b***h. I can't say what I call his lazy non-brewing a**.

Maybe he deserves a whack from the mash paddle it wasn't my husband it was the owner of the bar, lol.

 

[ramjam]

does your homebrew taste like michaelob ultra?

 

[ircbrewing]

“Are you too good to drink real beer? (As the sip their bud light)”

“Is that legal?”

“Are you an alcoholic?”