I had a few beers in me last night when I read through this thread.
I started posting a rant…then, perhaps fortunately, I accidentally deleted it.
I just read through the entire thread again.
I’m a bit calmer and better understand most points but here I go anyway…
Define “normal”.
Normal for one is not normal for another.
You don’t like Chile Lagers and Ginger Saisons, don’t drink them and don’t bash me.
Do not tell me my Aby Normal beers “can’t be better than normal beer”.
You might not be able to drink 8 in a row but they are good, damn good.
You can buy normal at the store.
You cannot easily find many Aby Normals.
I can make them, and I do.
I can make them better than the store bought ones.
I brew what I like, for me, for my family and friends…mostly me.
Repeat…what I like, for me (not you).
I don’t brew “weird” and “crazy” beers to fluff my signature.
You can’t be serious.
Forums are one dimensional, no inflection.
I get a sense of who you are, partly with your signature.
You don’t like my signature, don’t read it.
Two of you here said you need a prerequisite (basic) “mastery” of the brewing process.
Of course you do…if you can’t boil water, you can’t make mac and cheese.
But I don’t need to master an all-grain pale ale and replicate it 20 times before I go off the track.
I made three good beers (my first three) before I jumped from “normal”.
Those next two Holiday Ales might be the best holiday ales I’ve ever made.
Stick to your mastery of a BMC clone…I won’t bash you, but don’t hold me back from what I do.
I’m 42 and been brewing since ’95.
I still brew “boil and dumps” from a kit can.
I brew mainly partial extracts, and I BIAB.
I’d like to brew AG but frankly don’t have the time and can’t be bothered.
I brew lawnmower ales and yes, I brew Chile Lagers (gasp).
Most are great, I’ve tossed a couple.
I drink homebrew, I drink fruit beers, and I drink way too many Coors Lights.
I’ve also made wine and mead.
My second mead was a Ruby Red Raspberry…CRAZY!
I’ll sum it up by repeating what many others have posted…
BECAUSE WE CAN
I’ll do what I do, you do what you do.
Neither way is right or wrong.
We can share experiences and we’ll get along fine.
Start preaching your way is the best way and we will not.
There, I feel better.