Need some motivation...

[Dude]

I have a streak going of 18 consecutive months where I brewed at least 1 batch. I'm coming up on the end of this month and I have absolutely no desire to brew. This is the first time this has happened since I started. I think the heat is what is deterrign my desire. However I've totally not been into brewing for a while now. I have 20 gallons of brews sitting in fermenters needing attention, but I can't get motivated.

I have a window tomorrow to brew before the end of the month, yet I can't get motivated. I've been wanting to brew the gaelic ale for a while. Should I do it? Help!!!

 

[the_bird]

I think you need to make something completely off the freakin' wall, the most insane recipe that you can find that doesn't involve chickens (or that does). Something that will probably taste like absolute crap but that you can at least say you've made. I don't even know what that would be, I have no idea what you're brewed in the past. Just something that makes us all say "Is Dude OK?"

 

[Pumbaa]

DO IT!!!

If I can be outside today brewing when it's 85% and 90% humidity with Thuderstorms expected this afternoon you can brew too, PLUS it's a gealic brew man!!!!

Do it for the Irish!!

25 + 7 = 1!!!

 

[Ize]

Ship ALL of your brew to me and see if that helps....















Seriously tho, it's funny you mention this. I hadn't heard much out of you or the other mods for that fact in a couple of weeks and was wondering what was up. You know it's dangerous to leave us to our own devices... I mean for God's sake look at Cheese. He's sobering up for a month and is torturing us with his latest hottie on his AV....

I think it's the summer. It is for me anyway. Hell I was supposed to resume brewing 2 months ago and STILL haven't gotten it off the ground. Too much crap keeps cropping up and there never seems to be enuf hours in the day. I'm close, but not quite there yet...

Or something major malfunctions around the house... (I'm not even mentioning my AC unit going on the fritz or the new $85 pump I had to buy for the fish pond where I didn't even think I HAD fish... )


It always seems like something anyway... Hope you find your groove Dude. We're in trouble round here when the Dude loses his groove...


Ize

 

[Cap'n Jewbeard]

Funny story to cheer you along and inspire your gaelic brew:

A friend of mine brought a large contingent of friends and family- his father-in-law, a rabid Protestant, included in the bunch- to a bar in D.C. that used to be known as The Four Provinces.

Not far into his cups, and after only an hour or so in the establishment, the old man's gaze has gone somewhat slack, and he appears to be focusing on a map posted behind the bar, which bears the name of the pub: Four Provinces.

At just the right lull in the conversation, he speaks up: "Four Provinces? Don't you mean the Six Counties?"

...

There is, as you might expect, a pronounced hush to follow this.

An hour later, the party is still sitting at the bar, but their drinks have long gone dry. Hoping to move things along, the bartender addresses them:

"Why are you still here?"

The party escorts themselves out, wiser and more sober than before.

Slainte!

 

[Exo]

Make something heavy. Something that will have to ferment for a long time?

Man, that Lake Walk PA looks TASTY!

 

[BootYtRappeR]

Take a break, you don't want to burnout!

Upgrade your system/equipment or something. It's not brewing but at least it's brewing related.

 

[Yooper]

Well, a hobby is only fun if you're enjoying it. I say take a break and go back when you miss it. Of course, you have to deal with the 20 gallons of brews that you have but you could even stick those in secondary in a dark place and relax for a while. If you force yourself to do something you don't want to, it'll be to much like WORK. I'd do all kinds of things to avoid that!

Lorena

 

[olllllo]

See if you can't bring on an apprentice... someone to pass the knowledge on and help with the grunt work. Otherise I agree with lorenae.

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

I agree with the 'take a break' faction. Brew when you want to and not before. Do you do this for fun or because you have to?

 

[Dude]

Surprised to see all the "take a break" replies.

First, I don't want to break the streak. That said, maybe it is what I need to kick myself in the ass and force myself to get back into it--because I'm 99% sure my problem of not wanting to brew is because of the heat. Sooooooo....I'm going to start later in the afternoon after the heat dies down and the shade is over the brewing area, then spend the evening brewing.

Looks like I have all the ingredients ready for the gaelic ale, or possibly a Lake Walk Pale Ale, or possibly even another batch of Pliny The Bastid per the_bird's suggestion to do something wild. Plus SwAMi kind of got my head big--he talked that beer up big time. Wonder if I can do it again--and have some ready before September so he can take some back with him.

Looks like I'm brewing tomorrow boys. Thanks for the support.

 

[david_42]

Kick back, fire up the grill & enjoy a few pints. Too hot to brew anyway. 18 months straight is longer than I've ever managed. I've did a batch in January and then one in June and one this month.

It's not a job, it's a hobby!

 

[user 574]

I agree about the heat dude. I have no desire either. I was wondering if I was loosing interest in the hobby but I don't think so. I might not be as psycho about brewing constantly as I used to be. And brewing too much can become like work after a while. Lorena has it right. Screw the record setting. If you're not motivated now, take a break. You got racking and kegging to do however.

But it looks like your going for it after all. That may be all ya need.

PS - I bought my CFC parts about a week ago. It's all still sitting in bags. Just too hot here...

 

[Dude]

Seriously tho, it's funny you mention this. I hadn't heard much out of you or the other mods for that fact in a couple of weeks and was wondering what was up.

FWIW, I was away on vacation, so that is my excuse. Don't know about the other mods.

 

[user 574]

Your thread got me off my arse to finally assemble my CFC. Going quite well building it in the house until I couldn't find my copper tubing cutter anywhere in the garage. And yes, it's to HOT to keep looking for the stupid thing. I'm 1/2 way done though.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Do it! You already conned me into brewing the Gaelic! Actually, it was pretty worthwhile and I'll do it again but with less crystal next time.

 

[homebrewer_99]

I read that 99% of all crazy people are sick in the head!

If you don't brew we'll all come over your place and take any brew related material laying around...then we're going to ban you from this site.

But, if you think you need a break you probably needed it long ago...so, we can come over your place and break your legs THEN take everything brew related...either way WE WIN!!!

 

[Ize]

FWIW, I was away on vacation, so that is my excuse. Don't know about the other mods.

Who said you get a vacation????


In the end bud it's all up to you. Take a break or not. As Lorenae and other have said. If it seems like work, then it's time for a breather... and let's face it, 18 months straight is a helluva record. :rockin: I'm with DesertBrew tho. I know it's not nearly as hot here as there but the humidity keeps me in the house that's for sure.

In the end tho if ya still wanna ship that brew to me, I'll gladly accept!

Ize

 

[todd_k]

Here is some motivation for you.

 

[Beer Snob]

Well, like you Dude, I have a batch sitting on my counter top.... been there for days actually. No motivation at all.... Been working like crazy... have not had a day off in two weeks. And its hot and humid and the only reason I can come up with to just bottling it is that the amount of homebrew I have is dimishing. I live in an apartment so I have sinificiantly less space then you do. Hmmm..... tired.... think I'll just wake up tomorrow and bottle the sucker. Want to do a wheat in a few weeks.

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

Surprised to see all the "take a break" replies.

There's nothing worse than trying to get that burnt-Dude smell out of the forum...

The community is better off with a well-rested, vibrant, Dude than one who is just going through the motions. I think everyone who responded with 'take a break' has probably ruined something for themselves at one time or another by overdoing it. I know I have. Aww shucks, we care about you.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Yeah, what the Chairman said...I was only joshing about breaking your legs...

 

[RichBrewer]

Dude!
Did you decide to brew? I was going to suggest brewing that pumpkin ale so it will be ready for this fall.

 

[Spyk'd]

Again with the pumpkin!!!



Ok, here goes...


My pumpkin brew will be better than your pumpkin brew Dude!!!


neener, neener, neener....whatcha gonna do about it?


Huh? Huh? Huh?


Best I could come up with!

 

[Beer Snob]

Well.... I did force myself to bottle this morning..... and we're about to find out what Dude did.... any moment now.....

 

[Dude]

Well.... I did force myself to bottle this morning..... and we're about to find out what Dude did.... any moment now.....

LOL....I brewed...another Pliny the Bastid. Everything went well. It was SOFA KING HOT though. Unless I get a serious change of heart in August, I'm going to cheat and brew an extract batch or a mead to keep the streak alive. It is just too miserable to brew all-grain during this weather.

Specifics for the batch--I batch sparged to save some time (less time in the 95 degree, 80% humidity too), and only got an OG of 1.062. Not a problem because I have to add some corn sugar to this batch anyway, So I'll add a touch more to make up the 3 points I lost in efficiency. I may have mashed a few degrees lower this time too--but not too bad. I also used my PH meter and my refractometer for the first time today as well. The PH meter won't get any more use until I do a porter or a stout, but that refractometer is a dream. Makes taking mid-boil samples SO easy. I did both a hydro and a refractometer sample for comparison so it wasn't easy today, but next time.....

 

[Beer Snob]

Hey your in VA... Cider Mills are going to be opening real soon! I actually live down the road from one

 

[Ize]

LOL....I brewed...

:rockin:

Right ON. (95 degrees? Sucker for punishment ain't ya? )



Ize

 

[Jaybird]

95 that aint hot it was 111 here today BUT...... I wasent brewin either
JJ

 

[the_bird]

Uhm, Dude, did I read the IBUs on the Pliny recipe right? Did that say, like, 278?

My God, you really DID brew something completely bat-sh*t insane. Glad I could help.