Solitary brewer ?

[AkTom]

Solo. Sometimes a friend will come over and I’ll go through the process with him. Wife doesn’t like beer. She is good with me brewing as long as I make a bit of wine and mead. I have friends who brew, but it’s difficult to arrange schedules. No that I have my process dialed in, I’m good with brewing alone. I do miss my old dog. He would hang out with me all day long.
Cheers and here’s to you Wally.

 

[pascalxricher]

Just wondering, how many are solitary brewers and how many like to brew with friends or as a group.
I personally prefer to be a solitary brewer. It's my "me time". My wonderful wife understands and usually plans a girls day for brew day. Brew day for me is a stress reliever where I can forget about everything for a while.
How do you brew?

I'm a solitary brewer, and it helps forgetting everything else! A friend sometimes spend some time with me during the boil and the transfer on the fermenter...

 

[Tbagger]

Started brewing with my old man and spent a few years as the assistant but when he gave it up I got the brewery and am now brewing solo. It's nice and relaxing to brew alone, but I do enjoy drinking with friends/family while brewing.

 

[thehaze]

I also brew alone and I actually enjoy it more than brewing together with somebody else. I have had brew sessions with people, but the brew days kept getting longer, and I did not enjoy it.

Now I can brew 2 x 5 gallons batches in 10-11 hours per day, so thatøs very comfortable for me.

 

[jay29]

I brew alone. Not a huge conversationalist.

 

[oakchips]

Nope I was thinking

So I go down the streets,
Down to my good friend's house
I said "Look man, I'm outdoors, propane you know,
Can I brew wicha inside on your electric rig maybe a couple times?"
He said "Uh, let me go and ask my wife"
He come out of the house,
I could see in his face
I knowed it was "no"
He said "I don't know man, ah she kinda funny, an' all"
I said "I know, everybody funny, now you funny too"
So I go back home

Been brewing alone ever since

This is perfect, I’m printing and framing this in my man cave !!

 

[jcav]

When I first started brewing in 2002 I brewed solo. I brewed solo for many years and loved the time to focus on the brew day process and create good beer. Jumping forward to the last few years my older sons (I have three), got interested in brewing and it is a real treat to brew with them when they show up from time to time on a scheduled brew day. They will brew with me individually or sometimes they all show up. I really treasure the quality time with them creating something we all can enjoy later, and that we made together. Definitely a male bonding thing and we talk about life and spend quality "Dad Time" together. Two of them are married and I have two beautiful grandchildren. So they will bring the wives and I get to see the grandchildren as well (which is even better than brewing), and my wife will make a dinner for all of us later to all enjoy. Love those brew days. My sons know the process and they actively participate helping the whole day. I also appreciate the help when it comes time to lift my 14 gallon conical into the upright freezer!

One of my son's friends (who we kinda adopted and consider family), also loves quality craft beer and he also loves to brew. When he first saw my system his jaw dropped to the floor, and he asked if he could come by and brew with me when I brew. He will come around on brew days when he can and he brews with me as well. In summary now I usually have either one or all of my sons, or my "adopted son" brew with me, and I am not alone on brew days. So I used to be a solo brewer for years but now seem to have company on brew days. Brewing by myself will never get old (and once in a while I still brew alone), but I do now also enjoy sharing the brewing process and brew days with other people that are close to me. Such a fun hobby!

John

 

[Jayjay1976]

I brew alone, and for the most part, I drink my beer alone.

 

[VTX1300]

When I first started brewing in 2002 I brewed solo. I brewed solo for many years and loved the time to focus on the brew day process and create good beer. Jumping forward to the last few years my older sons (I have three), got interested in brewing and it is a real treat to brew with them when they show up from time to time on a scheduled brew day. They will brew with me individually or sometimes they all show up. I really treasure the quality time with them creating something we all can enjoy later, and that we made together. Definitely a male bonding thing and we talk about life and spend quality "Dad Time" together. Two of them are married and I have two beautiful grandchildren. So they will bring the wives and I get to see the grandchildren as well (which is even better than brewing), and my wife will make a dinner for all of us later to all enjoy. Love those brew days. My sons know the process and they actively participate helping the whole day. I also appreciate the help when it comes time to lift my 14 gallon conical into the upright freezer!

One of my son's friends (who we kinda adopted and consider family), also loves quality craft beer and he also loves to brew. When he first saw my system his jaw dropped to the floor, and he asked if he could come by and brew with me when I brew. He will come around on brew days when he can and he brews with me as well. In summary now I usually have either one or all of my sons, or my "adopted son" brew with me, and I am not alone on brew days. So I used to be a solo brewer for years but now seem to have company on brew days. Brewing by myself will never get old (and once in a while I still brew alone), but I do now also enjoy sharing the brewing process and brew days with other people that are close to me. Such a fun hobby!

John

Jcav, it sounds like you have a very special family. It's awesome that you get to spend such quality time with them doing something that you all enjoy.

 

[z-bob]

I have participated in a homebrew club "big brew", and I enjoyed it. I may do it again sometime. But mostly I prefer to go it alone.

It's very stress-relieving -- even when like yesterday; a sudden downpour starts when my beer is almost finished boiling on the back deck, and I'm standing over it with an umbrella. (the sky was clear when I started, it was just a 45 minute boil, and there was no mention of rain in the forecast or even the current conditions) I was telling Wife about it later; it was annoying, but not all that bad because I got a good story out of it. She said it must have been some well-needed therapy for me to have such a good attitude about it.

BTW, the OG on yesterday's beer is uncharacteristically low, my efficiency is usually very consistent 75%, but I think I got an extra half gallon or so of wort.

 

[VTX1300]

I have participated in a homebrew club "big brew", and I enjoyed it. I may do it again sometime. But mostly I prefer to go it alone.

It's very stress-relieving -- even when like yesterday; a sudden downpour starts when my beer is almost finished boiling on the back deck, and I'm standing over it with an umbrella. (the sky was clear when I started, it was just a 45 minute boil, and there was no mention of rain in the forecast or even the current conditions) I was telling Wife about it later; it was annoying, but not all that bad because I got a good story out of it. She said it must have been some well-needed therapy for me to have such a good attitude about it.

BTW, the OG on yesterday's beer is uncharacteristically low, my efficiency is usually very consistent 75%, but I think I got an extra half gallon or so of wort.

i know the feeling. Had 4 inches at the end of a 60 minute boil.

 

[brandonlovesbeer]

Hand up for solitary brewer.

I’ve brewed with another person only 2 times since 2006.

I don’t really know anyone else who brews.

 

[Griffin495]

53 batches in and I've only brewed with somebody else twice. Not that I don't want to, just hard to match up schedules. My wife doesn't really drink beer, so she's not really interested in helping. Sometimes, my 3.5 year old son will ask what I'm doing and wants to help. He stirred the pot the other day when I mashed in and since it was a 1 gallon batch, he helped dump ice in the sink and filled it with water since I wasn't using a chiller (no point with a 1 gallon batch).

I work weekends about once every 5 weeks, so I'll get a day off in the middle of the week and I usually use it to brew by myself with no distractions. Sometimes, that 3.5 year old helper is more trouble than he's worth. LOL

 

[steveoatley]

I have always been a Solo Brewer ( 2002 )

Started out with the kit my wife bought as X-mas present, in the kitchen
She sat threw one brew to see what it was like, another friend asked to "help"
and preceded to pepper me with questions for 3 hrs, never really helped....

When my son was born, it was away to Hide from the craziness of baby time ( 2007 )
( by then i had moved out to the garage )

And once he got big enough, to know HOT from NO !!! ( about 5 )
He "helped" out a few times.... He liked the timer
He makes his Lego projects, asks lots of questions.... he is not real fond of the smell

Once i got my Electric Brewery going in the basement - He is not really
interested in "Helping" - but since it is Summer, there are a lot more FUN things to do
outside on a Saturday, than stay in the basement with Dad.

 

[jimdkc]

I'm the only beer drinker in the house, so I'm the only beer brewer in the house! My fiance thinks it's a great hobby, but she's about as interested in brewing as I am in watching her true crime shows. Lol.

My wife watches those, too... I swear she's trying to figure out how to get rid of me!

Solo brewer, here, too. I used to brew with a friend, and I've visited a couple other brewers to see their rigs. But, I like the "me time" of brewing alone.

When I did brew with a friend, he used to pay for the ingredients, and I'd supply the equipment and knowledge and we'd split the batch, so, that was kinda nice!

 

[Nmnbrewer]

I’m about half and half. When I want to have people around I’ll send a group text out to those I know will enjoy it and lend a hand. I’ve had after work happy hours/brew nights as well. Those are fun. I look at it this way. If I want to be precise I brew alone usually early am on weekends. If I want to share beer and have a good time I’ll open the garage door on a nice afternoon and offer drinks to neighbors or send a group text out. I’m a social animal for sure. To me life is about experiences and sharing those experiences with people you enjoy and care about. The awesome beer is just gravy.

 

[jcav]

Jcav, it sounds like you have a very special family. It's awesome that you get to spend such quality time with them doing something that you all enjoy.

Yes I do, I am very blessed! Thanks for the kind words!

John

 

[GPP33]

I usually brew solo these days. When I started I almost always had friends over, even if they knew nothing about brewing, just because it was a fun experience to share. These days I usually start early and find my brew days go quicker and smoother if I’m running solo. Fewer distractions and a sober mind go a long way. I’ll still occasionally have friends over, if they are brewers we’ll often do double sized batches but that’s the exception, not the rule.

 

[thehaze]

Exactly how I felt when I brewed together with others. Brewing alone now, has resulted in much shorter brew days. Something like from 7-8 hours to a mere 5-5 and a half hours, and I will keep it this way.

 

[philjohnwilliams]

Solo brewer here too. I like to get started about 6am Sunday mornings ( the only time I ever voluntarily get up early ), I enjoy the peace and quiet and the only other person up at that time is my dog. On a quick brew day I can be done by 10am

 

[BrewMan13]

I can go either way, but it usually ends up being a solo endeavor. Almost none of my close friends are into good beer, but a couple co-workers are. I'll extend the offer when I plan a brewday, but make it clear not to feel bad if they can't make it. Sometimes it's nice to have someone to talk to, sometimes better to just be one with my thoughts, lol.

 

[Hopsimus]

Solitary brewer here. Tried to get my wife to help, but she just isn't interested. For the most part brewing alone isn't that bad. I usually do 3 gallon batches and, at that amount, I can generally handle pouring the grains and moving the carboys and such by myself.

The only part I don't like is the cleanup. It would be nice to have someone help with that!

 

[SEndorf]

Friends have asked. They're welcome to attend brew day.
It's funny......when I tell them to bring a sudoku for the 60 minute mash and a crossword puzzle for the 90 minute boil, they never show up. What's with that?

 

[kevin58]

I've had friends over... I've been in a club. I prefer to brew alone to eliminate distractions. I can encounter enough mishaps on my own without having someone yapping at me or telling me I'm doing it wrong.

 

[6midgets]

I've never met another home brewer in my area. I've always brewed by myself, it's a great time to reflect and have a cigar.

 

[Numsquat]

In 25ish years i have brewed with: wife 1x, adult sons 3x, friends (non-brewers) 2x on my own beers. Most years I'm brewing every two weeks (10 gal batches beer or mead, 25 gal ciders) so 20-26 sessions per year, so pretty much brew alone. Don't have an issue brewing with others but like many others it's my stress relief time and I will stretch it out to 10-12 hours just for the alone time. I do the same with my bbq, love watching my pit when doing a pork or beef shoulder, pork butts or briskets, stretch it out. I don't drink brewing until I start the boil kettle and stick to very sessionable beers until conical all set, then going to higher alcohol for cleaning up which can *cough* take some time to do correctly *cough*. Also like others my wife will schedule girlfriend time days on my brew days. With no kids in the home anymore we do so much together but have to have some us time so it all works out.

Before I moved early this year the brew club I started where I lived before did four club brews a year: one for a region club contest, one for a club brew for members to do 1 gal batches for a club contest and twice at community events where the club did a extract brewing demonstration/tasting/community education booth. Those were fun brew days and a good time to brew with others. But different from my own brew days alone.

 

[brewgar]

@Numsquat Thank you for revealing your 10-12 hour brew days. I enjoy that as well. Brew, chill. get the fermenter in refrigerator chamber, clean, put away cleaned and dry gear, and do a load of laundry with waste water. So I would say solitary brewer, except for 2 well behaved brew dogs who love being pals on brew day.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Me and me alone. The standing rule is nobody in the kitchen while it's a brewery.

 

[Numsquat]

@Numsquat Thank you for revealing your 10-12 hour brew days. I enjoy that as well. Brew, chill. get the fermenter in refrigerator chamber, clean, put away cleaned and dry gear, and do a load of laundry with waste water. So I would say solitary brewer, except for 2 well behaved brew dogs who love being pals on brew day.

Don't do the laundry on brew day but will through almost anything on the bbq pits to smoke when brewing. My wife knows after her day out with her friends she will get a nice meal when she gets home. I also tend to brew on sports days (i.e. Saturdays for college football, Sundays once NFL starts, baseball and college basketball games otherwise) so I can watch what I want without interruption. I have even been known to do 8-10 hour 5 gal extract batches each day of the first weekend of March Madness (Thu-Sun) just not to be bothered watching games and to have plenty of beer for the final four, when i will also brew my next batches. First round/Second round NFL playoffs = brew days for Super Bowl.

I will say brew day length is also based on weather. I lived in NW Iowa for 12 years, summer=10-12 hours but winter=maybe 6 hours, less if I extracted. Now I live in Florida, pretty much sure the opposite will be true. To darn hot in summer for long brew days but fall/winter (football season) will be my longer days.

 

[Derp]

I just experienced that rarest of miracles: a friend asked if I would teach her how to brew and she actually stayed involved for the entire session. Most times people poop out after a couple of hours and leave before the cleaning begins, but she was there every step of the way. She even wanted to pitch the yeast and dry hops. In a few days she's going to help keg the beer we brewed last week.