My friends don't care for my homebrew

[BrewRI]

I got like 5 out of all the people I know who care for it, the ones that havn't tried it just assume its going to be bad. They also drink keystone light everyday.

 

[Homercidal]

I got friends that so far just do not like my beer. Now I try not to take it personally, because a) They are not beer Connie Sewers, and b) I'm still learning.

But I REALLY want to be able to make a beer that others like. OTOH - I had some family over this summer and I had some Centennial Blonde on tap. I just pointed to the tap and said help yourself. I got a few compliments from people and my wife's cousin had more than his share.

I think some people are just not going to like anything because a) it's too dark, or b) homemade beer cannot be any good.

I'm just not going to brew a light lager for my buddies, because I personally do not want to have to drink 5 gallons of light lager, even if it turns out fantastic. I much prefer ales of nearly any sort.

 

[waldoar15]

Doesn't matter to me as I brew mainly for myself. As far as close friends go, one is a wine drinker and the other doesn't drink at all.

My wife might drink six beers in a year, so no sense brewing anything for her.

 

[Synovia]

They are at a different point in their lives. In all likelihood they are not taking the time (or don't have the time) to enjoy the good moments in life.

Of, they just don't like that type of beer. Why do people always try to make this about being "classy" or "sophisticated" or "mature"? Its not. Some people just happen to like light lagers. Its not because they're cavemen.

 

[IrregularPulse]

We do push the idea of not liking beer as ignorance around here, I think it's the natural defense to being jumped on as snobs every time we order a non BMC. I'd like to be out with friends and not feel weird ordering a good beer, but I know as soon as I order it, there will be at least one comment from someone about, oohhh the fancy stuff, or Can't just drink the normal can you, or something along those lines.

This is not an excuse to push the ignorance label though. Some people just don't think of beer in the same way. They don't see it as a beverage, they see it as alcohol.

 

[JesseRC]

We do push the idea of not liking beer as ignorance around here, I think it's the natural defense to being jumped on as snobs every time we order a non BMC. I'd like to be out with friends and not feel weird ordering a good beer, but I know as soon as I order it, there will be at least one comment from someone about, oohhh the fancy stuff, or Can't just drink the normal can you, or something along those lines.

This is not an excuse to push the ignorance label though. Some people just don't think of beer in the same way. They don't see it as a beverage, they see it as alcohol.

Yeah, I think it's pretty funny cus you dont really know who's looking down at who? Are they looking down at you for being a snob....or are you looking down at them for not appreciating/being ignorant of other beers/styles.?

 

[thirdedition]

We do push the idea of not liking beer as ignorance around here, I think it's the natural defense to being jumped on as snobs every time we order a non BMC. I'd like to be out with friends and not feel weird ordering a good beer, but I know as soon as I order it, there will be at least one comment from someone about, oohhh the fancy stuff, or Can't just drink the normal can you, or something along those lines.

This is not an excuse to push the ignorance label though. Some people just don't think of beer in the same way. They don't see it as a beverage, they see it as alcohol.

I can't say I've ever caught flack for ordering what I would call a good beer. I think a lot of people around here should find new people to drink with.

 

[OMJ]

Most of my friends are craft beer drinkers or home brewers but I have a few BMC drinking friends. I have found with some of them that when I brewed something that was more to their taste like a blond they were more open to the rest of my beers.

One of my friends that is a BMC drinker and always dismissed my beer as gross tried my blond and wit recently at a party and now is interested in trying the rest. He actually tried some others that he turned down before and like them. A couple other of my friends have warmed up to my home brew in the same manner and are now drinking the porter I have on tap.

 

[Cheaton]

I'm not going to lie, I'm still in a place in my life where I go out and pound BMC's just to get tanked, and my friends do as well. That is starting to fade a bit, but it is still a part of our lives.

At the same time I know I can go to the same friends and get an honest opinion. If they don't like it they will say why. We go to a local pub that has a ton of imports on tap and we all love it and love trying out new stuff.

Never understand "pounding" beer to get tanked. Just drink liquor. It's cheaper, stronger, and has less calories. Drink beer to keep it mild and wild. I can't even imagine being physically able to consume enough beer to get "tanked" and for me that would be 4 or 5 of them.

 

[Soc]

Don't be insulted. Brew better beer.

I LOVE my beer, I'm gonna keep brewing it like I am brewing it! Like I said in my original post, I am starting to not care about what other people think about me beer, MORE FOR ME!

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Before I give my father in law a taste on my beer he will always say "I'll try it, but i won't like it".....Then he goes on about how beer should always taste like American beer always tasted.

He is an *******.

There is no changing these people, just a remedy. This is the reason there is such a strong pro-gun lobby in the US

 

[thirdedition]

Never understand "pounding" beer to get tanked. Just drink liquor. It's cheaper, stronger, and has less calories. Drink beer to keep it mild and wild. I can't even imagine being physically able to consume enough beer to get "tanked" and for me that would be 4 or 5 of them.

Different strokes for different folks. It was a college thing what can I say? I'm starting to out grow it but old habits and all that. Not to mention I'm not a liquor guy, it just doesn't mesh with me.

 

[Synovia]

Never understand "pounding" beer to get tanked. Just drink liquor. It's cheaper, stronger, and has less calories.

Playing Beer-pong is fun. Doing shots isn't.

 

[Scimmia]

We do push the idea of not liking beer as ignorance around here, I think it's the natural defense to being jumped on as snobs every time we order a non BMC. I'd like to be out with friends and not feel weird ordering a good beer, but I know as soon as I order it, there will be at least one comment from someone about, oohhh the fancy stuff, or Can't just drink the normal can you, or something along those lines.

This is not an excuse to push the ignorance label though. Some people just don't think of beer in the same way. They don't see it as a beverage, they see it as alcohol.

I don't see this as sign of ignorance, I see it as sign of immaturity.

 

[Synovia]

I don't see this is a sign of ignorance, I see it's a sign of immaturity.

And why is it immature to not like a certain style of beer?

 

[Scimmia]

And why is it immature to not like a certain style of beer?

Read the quote, he didn't say not liking a certain style. He was making the point that a lot of people drink BMC strictly for the alcohol.

 

[Synovia]

He was making the point that a lot of people drink BMC strictly for the alcohol.

A lot of people drink BEER for the alcohol, and a lot of them are on here.


How many threads do we see a day that are "how do I increase the ABV?" of "I pick beers out at the package store by ABV?"

 

[Scimmia]

A lot of people drink BEER for the alcohol, and a lot of them are on here.


How many threads do we see a day that are "how do I increase the ABV?" of "I pick beers out at the package store by ABV?"

OK, so what's your point?

 

[Rhoobarb]

They are at a different point in their lives. In all likelihood they are not taking the time (or don't have the time) to enjoy the good moments in life.

We are all ambassadors of good beer and food. It sounds like you are a bit more experienced than you friends. Some will never come around and some never change. ...

Exactly. Most of my friends have come to appreciate good beer at about the same rate I have, so they like my beer and that makes me happy. If I have a gathering, they are there primarily for the beer! My wife loves my beer, too, but not so her daughter or some of her female friends. No big deal, that's just how it goes.

You can try to brew a Cream Ale, Cali Common, Bitter or similar light pale ale and see if they go for it. If so, you may have a shot at converting them. Mostly, just remember to brew for yourself.

 

[JVD_X]

Of, they just don't like that type of beer. Why do people always try to make this about being "classy" or "sophisticated" or "mature"? Its not. Some people just happen to like light lagers. Its not because they're cavemen.

sure it is.

To add.... the days when most people stop drinking (even when they don't have to get up to go to work) is when they look at themselves in the mirror and add up all those calories from all those supposedly "light beers". Soon enough people realize they would rather have relax with something that has flavor... which includes classy Pilsners and not BMC. Or they go the other direction and start drinking vodka tonics with a lime (i shameful but I DO like them

You are right though... some people are just BMC nazis. However most of the folks I know that drink primarily BMC by and large fit into one of several categories:

1) They were responsible for getting beer for the party/game/show and didn't want to spend the money on good beers - I have done this.
2) They still play with legos or live at mom's
3) The don't live at mom's and still play with legos (or transformers or whatever) and probably don't have a girlfriend
4) Stoners

 

[TampaTim]

I'm lucky. My friends enjoy the hell out of what I brew. There's one that pisses and moans about the selection sometimes, but the others give him directions to the store down the street and remind him the store has plenty of choices down there that he can pay for, and leaves them more homebrew to choose from.

 

[jlpred55]

I only brew what I know I like and a few for the SWMBO. I have friends that like certian styles but not others, all like beer other than BMC as weird as that is, but don't like the majority of styles I brew. However, when I do brew a style they are fond of I like to share to get there opinion. My SWMBO likes to tell people I barely know that I brew, most of them want me to give them a bottle of something. So my natural next question is, "what do you normally drink?" The usual response is BMC. Then I tell them I would be more than happy to give them a bottle or 2 of something but they should not expect it to taste like BMC. After all I tell them, if I wanted that I would buy that. They usually just say "yeah", then end up hating the beer because it is too strong, bitter, thick, dark, heavy etc. I still share with them because I am a sharing person but I never expect to get any good feedback about my beers from someone who thinks beer should be as light and inoffensive as possible. I am always shocked a little amazed when someone really likes a style or is blown away. Some have never been introduced to other, better beer. I believe that population is shrinking however with the amount of market share the craft community is now garnering. All in all, I just take it in stride. I brew for myself, because I enjoy the craft, the process and the finished product. When I start getting all worried about what other people think of my beer then that is the time to quit b/c I will no longer be brewing for my pleasure.

 

[Synovia]

1) They were responsible for getting beer for the party/game/show and didn't want to spend the money on good beers - I have done this.
2) They still play with legos or live at mom's
3) The don't live at mom's and still play with legos (or transformers or whatever) and probably don't have a girlfriend
4) Stoners

What about the 70% of the population thats drinking a coors/bud/whatever while watching the game? The joe6pack crowd?

Do they just not exist?

 

[FxdGrMind]

Don't worry about others "Opinions" so much! Like someone else said.... 2 words... F and Them.

I have great friends that love Beer and preferably not BMC or ML etc etc. They like the exotic, the different, the zest of life!

Hence, every time I stop buy and bring a few glasses over or a Growler... they are like "hey when did you brew this and with a discusted look they say, And WHY wasn't I invited over to help/try/taste while you were brewing!!!!"

I am far more picky as to style/taste/objective of the beer than they are, they are just interested in the different flavor profiles, styles and experiencing the process and results of home brewing!

However there are people that I would not even "OFFER" a home brew too. Like my Sis..... I'm sorry but anything I touch, in her eyes "JUST CAN'T BE ANY GOOD".... So I don't bother offering. There are others too that when I have a party and they ask whats to "DRINK"... I tell them "Only what you bring".... and they get the hint.. if they want a Beer, they had better bring it themself as I'm not giving them any of my HB for them to bitch about.

 

[david_42]

Yeah, most of my friends don't like my homebrew ... they're all flaming hopheads!

The blackberry wine was well received, though.

 

[r2eng]

As others have mentioned, there could be 2 reasons:

1) they don't like the style, or strong flavors

2) your beer needs improvement

The first one is a no brainer: Save it for yourself. If your brewing skill is good, and your are brewing ales for lager-types, savor the fact that you have more beer.

The second one is a bit tougher... I have had MANY, MANY, MANY homebrews that just plain sucked, while the brewer thought it was great.

My first beers were pretty bad, and have since improved greatly. Find someone that likes/knows a style of beer, and send one to them. Get some feedback. It REALLY helped me!

 

[Whut]

I'm probably 50/50 with mine. I just ask them to be honest with me and for the most part they are.

 

[dontman]

Yeah, I think it's pretty funny cus you dont really know who's looking down at who? Are they looking down at you for being a snob....or are you looking down at them for not appreciating/being ignorant of other beers/styles.?

I can't think of any time when I encountered someone who looked down on me for drinking "fancy" beers but I have encountered many many homebrewers who look down on BMC drinkers as uncouth and boorish.

 

[z987k]

Yeah, most of my friends don't like my homebrew ... they're all flaming hopheads!

The blackberry wine was well received, though.

I'm having that problem to. My APA's are not hoppy enough(duh) for the hop-fanatics, and everything else isn't intense enough for the RIS/quad crowd.

 

[wrestler63]

If you enjoy your brew that is all that matters......... If your selling commercially worry about it, otherwise, enjoy the fruits of your labor my freind..........