I had been brewing homebrew for many years before I ran across HBT in 2006. I didin't know what to think of it , so I lurked for several months. I was about to give it up when I ran across a thread that told me what HBT was really about. It was light hearted and fun. The information given was spot on. The tone of the thread made me want to join HBT. The thread was the proverbial EAC thread. What a hoot it was. So I joined as a lifetime member. Some of the members have disappeared, but most are still a mainstay of the forums, eapecially lady Yooper. The homebrew scene has changed since then. Imho more centered on personalities. Yet, Overall, HBT Is the best web based information source for the home brewer.