When did you realize, yeah, this is the hobby for you?

[JVD_X]

This happened twice:

1) When I tasted my first homebew that myself and a friend did together and it turned out better than any beer I ever tasted.

2) Last weekend at the GABF where I realized that I brew better beer than quite a few of the pro breweries. There were some down-right sucky beers at GABF.

 

[bernerbrau]

I gave it a shot, didn't hate it, brewed some more batches, and my beer turned out all right, which encouraged me to brew more beer and refine my techniques, which produced better beer, which encouraged me to go all-grain, which again produced better beer....

It's a delicious cycle

 

[2bluewagons]

I've enjoyed good beer for a long time, and especially since moving to Portland, where there is great craft beer on tap everywhere. With that much good stuff around, I was content to just explore breweries, taprooms, and bottle shops around here and didn't consider getting into homebrewing.

But then last Christmas I decided to give my brother a beginner equipment setup and made the first batch with him. We both like to cook and I knew there would be some similarity there, but I had no idea that it would be so mad-scientist as well! Add this ingredient at this time to create this quality in the beer, etc. Awesome.

Since then, my inner dork has been obsessing with learning about the science behind the various techniques and styles, the DIY'er in me has loved putting together my own MLT cooler, IC, and water-bath fermenting bucket, the pack rat got to amass 4 carboys, 100+ bottles, and bottling equipment, and the beer drinker in me has a vastly improved palate and is busier than ever.

SWMBO isn't a big fan of the hobby nor my obsessive nature with it, but so far that's not slowing me down.

 

[Vuarra]

I started out with mead (thanks to the Kevin Costner Movie "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves"), and tried wine. I loved the mead, hated the wine, and somehow had the mental picture that I would have to malt the grains myself if I ever wanted to make my own beer.

So I went into a LHBS (not my current one, but another one with more advertising -- my current one doesn't advertise, but is Newspaper's Choice Award Winner many years running), and looked around. I didn't feel like dropping a Benjamin on wine, and while I was looking around, I found a can of ... "Pilsner? Isn't that beer?"
"Yes."
"How do you make beer?"

I'll have to post my SWMBO's favourite ale recipe, and I've had a few people asking about my Two Pound Oatmeal Stout -- from a can. When I can get to it, I'll do it

 

[Demon]

I had always wanted to brew but never knew where to start. A couple years ago a friend convinced me to pick up a basic starter kit and give it a shot. I figured I have spent a ton more money on much dumber things, so what could it hurt. As soon as I saw it fermenting I was hooked. SWMBO is very onboard with this too since I work very hard and she likes seeing me relax and enjoy something.

Also convinced SWMBO last night to start making wine. She is more of a wine drinker and I mostly drink beer, so I think it would be neat if we each brewed what we drink.

 

[dutch-brew]

I knew it was for me when i realized i could make the kind of beers i really love, like european beers (belgians, bavarian etc.) and not have to pay $10 for a six-pack or so.

besides, beer.... what else is there to say

 

[corvax13]

As soon as I took my first sip of my first batch.

 

[atromic]

"As soon as that first handful of bittering hops hit the wort I was hooked."

This is the truth. I knew I was going to love brewing, but was forcing myself to take it slow and give the hobby a chance to really grow on me. I have a track record of starting hobbies and losing interest after a few months.

I was enjoying myself up until the point when I added the first packet of liberty pellets into my wort. My entire house filled up with the aroma, and I knew that I was a home brewer for life. Can't wait to get home from my work trip so I can bottle my first batch and start a new one!

 

[Fracturedman]

I realized this when I discovered you could home brew. I have tried a few different hobbies and not one of them has kept my intersts besides ripping things apart, finding out how they work, and then putting them back together. And the love I have for imagining things I want to build or create.

So, home brewing just made sense. Beer was the one thing I hadn't tore down to the basics and rebuilt. I knew what was used to make it but I had never done it before. So, when I went to my LHBS (mistake, never do that again) and bought a kit. I have only made one batch so far because I was recently laid off, but I have already fallen in love with it and can see myself doing it for many many years.

Here's to beer and to not conforming to what society says beer should be.

 

[Jsamp]

I knew it was for me when i realized i could make the kind of beers i really love, like european beers (belgians, bavarian etc.) and not have to pay $10 for a six-pack or so.

besides, beer.... what else is there to say

That pretty much sums it up for me. I was sick of paying $12 for a good 4 pack of barley wine or even $9 a sick pack for Sam Adams. I also knew someone who made her own wine and some beer so I knew it was possible. I also only have a part time job right now while my woman finishes school. I basically sit at home all day and watch my son. I needed an enjoyable hobby and I love beer.

 

[Marius]

As soon as I realized I could make beer I was sold.

Before I knew I could make beer I was already sold.:rockin:

 

[SamuraiSquirrel]

The real question is when did I realize that brewing was just a hobby and not a way of life ........

Started brewing about six months ago and just settling down from obsessed to normal hobby mode.

 

[scrambledegg81]

Couldn't say. Been a microbrew fan for as long as I can remember, just started brewing once I had some excess $ and a decent HBS nearby.