What has homebrewing taught you

[Dr_Deathweed]

I thought it would be fun to kinda see what everyone has learned from home brewing, besides the process of brewing itself. I know there are a lot of skills out there that people have put towards brewing whether it be a DIY project, a little geeky learning, or finding the best way to get SWMBO to to let you keep spending money on beer...

 

[Dr_Deathweed]

Well, I learned that I am not skilled at woodworking

I built my first attempt at a grain hopper today and it did not turn out so well...

(I will post pics later, for some reason I am not able to attach things right now)

 

[c.n.budz]

Well, not actually something I learned from homebrewing, but relearned. Patience. When I taught special education patience was a necessity. When I switched over to the mortgage industry, patience went out the door rather quickly since it's a much more fast paced environment. Since I started brewing I have again learned the importance of patience.

 

[jmulligan]

Planning ahead of time! I take lots of time to research and plan my next recipe so everything is all ready before brew-day. (Of course, I still completely f*ck up and forget things...like hops..).

So I'm still learning.

 

[bradsul]

I learned that fly-fishing isn't the only hobby I can throw huge amounts of money at without even realizing it because I'm having so much fun.

 

[Desert_Sky]

Ive learned that homebrewers.....especially here on this site are Elitus ******* ****s!







Oh and real brewers use bleach

 

[Yuri_Rage]

As a direct result of brewing, I've learned:

How to weld stainless steel
Improved machining processes; specifically, lathe work on aluminum
Physical computing and microprocessor control
A ton of biology and chemistry topics I previously found dry and boring
Beer is equal parts art and science
Beer kegs have dozens of uses besides storing and serving beer
How to distinguish flavor components in food and drink and determine their origin
Mass marketed beer is usually full of half-truths in advertising and almost always lacks real flavor

...and surely a lot more!

 

[niquejim]

I've relearned how to formulate a recipe and have it turn out like expected. I've been a baker for 20+ years and the last 16+ have been for major retailers where creativity( at store level) is frowned upon. Just like BMC if you purchase something from (Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Giant etc) in one location it will be the same 500-1000 miles away.
I can now predict what the beer will be like(75-80% correct)
It has also inspired me to bake at home again for the same reason( like a 1.5lb loaf of bread with 6 crumbled strips of bacon and 6oz of cheddar cheese).

 

[EdWort]

Well, I learned that I am not skilled at woodworking

Me too, but that is changing.

 

[Smogre]

I've learned that I'm an Artist.

 

[david_42]

Waiting for a keg to blow so I can brew another batch is a drag.
Not waiting for a keg to blow so I can brew another batch means the backlogged beers go weird on me.

 

[RodfatherX]

That Murphy's Law is alive and well.

 

[bradsul]

I also learned that when you really need a keg, that one you think is going to blow any minute will be bottomless.

 

[TwoHeadsBrewing]

I've learned that my beer really IS better than store-bought! I still am surprised with every batch...not sure if it is the freshness, the originality, or what...but it's damn good! I've learned that you don't have to know a whole lot about the process to make great beer. Just keep everything sanitized, hit your mash and fermentation temps within a couple degrees, and be patient. And I've also learned (at least for me) home brewing is cheaper!

 

[BlindLemonLars]

I've learned to keep a number extra kegs, so you never have to wait for one to blow before brewing another batch.

I've also learned that "number" keeps going up.

 

[beeraggie]

Beer is equal parts art and science

+1 on that.

I have also learned that even when things don't go right, your beer can still turn out damn good

 

[dirtymike1]

Well, not actually something I learned from homebrewing, but relearned. Patience.... Since I started brewing I have again learned the importance of patience.

Here Here!!! I take greatt joy in the time that I spend brewing, and savor every moment of it!

 

[Dr_Deathweed]

Alright, a magic restart will fix any computer problem (learned that before brewing...)

My woodworking skills:









I think I will brew tomorrow to check out the virgin crush

 

[A4J]

How to distinguish flavor components in food and drink and determine their origin

This is the first thing that came to mind when I saw the thread title. I smell my food now whereas I didn't do that before. And smelling is a big component of taste.

 

[BlindLemonLars]

My woodworking skills:

Did Biermuncher help you cut the plywood? Perhaps a bit of sanding would be a good idea to avoid splinters, and maybe redo a couple of those nails. Or just get a tetanus booster shot.

Seriously though, it looks like it will get the job done! It's a fairly ambitious hopper design, compared to some I've seen.

 

[niquejim]

Alright, a magic restart will fix any computer problem (learned that before brewing...)

My woodworking skills:

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I think I will brew tomorrow to check out the virgin crush

Muncher will be so proud

 

[BrewBrain]

Alright, a magic restart will fix any computer problem (learned that before brewing...)

My woodworking skills:

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I think I will brew tomorrow to check out the virgin crush

Looks good to me! Just need some bigger nails sticking out and you're good to go.

I'm such a disaster with woodworking/other related stuff I don't even try. I just pay up for manufactured toys that I can't usually figure out how to work:rockin:

I'll be building a keezer later this summer. Could be some fun pictures.

 

[BrewBrain]

Oh, and on the thread topic, I've learned, yet again, that less is more. I'm not sure how many different grains I stuffed into my first couple beers

 

[arturo7]

Alright, a magic restart will fix any computer problem (learned that before brewing...)

My woodworking skills:

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I think I will brew tomorrow to check out the virgin crush

I applaud your DIY Spirit! However, I hope you brew better than you cut and sand. (grinny thing here)

 

[arturo7]

I found out that my overall beer knowledge was quite limited. Not liking BMC is one thing, knowing beer and beer styles is a whole 'nother level.

 

[McKBrew]

I've learned patience and planning are important. I've learned how to make good beer.

The coolest thing I have learned is what beer really is. Prior to brewing I had limited experience with microbrews and would have never tried half of the things I've poured down my throat since I started brewing. Beer is amazing and the amount of variety, flavor, etc... is almost worthy of worship.

 

[bethlehembrewer]

I've learned that my beer really IS better than store-bought! I still am surprised with every batch...not sure if it is the freshness, the originality, or what...but it's damn good! I've learned that you don't have to know a whole lot about the process to make great beer. Just keep everything sanitized, hit your mash and fermentation temps within a couple degrees, and be patient. And I've also learned (at least for me) home brewing is cheaper!

Yeah, most store bought beer tastes skunked to me, so Ive learned the same thing.

 

[bethlehembrewer]

Alright, a magic restart will fix any computer problem (learned that before brewing...)

My woodworking skills:

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I think I will brew tomorrow to check out the virgin crush

Do they not sell sand paper at your hardware store?? Just kidding, its a hell of a lot better than I would have done. Good work!

 

[BrianP]

I've learned that brewing can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be.

 

[k1v1116]

I learned the most important thing of all, to like beer. before I started homebrewing the only beer I had ever tried was bud light and heineken and as a result though I hated beer. I started brewing mead and decided to try beer, after reading about some of the chemistry behind it I was curious. If it wasnt for homebrewing I might have lived the rest of my life hating beer.