Why do people Quit brewing?

[acrowe]

I really like beer and enjoy brewing. Just this weekend I had a conversation with a friend I hadn't seen for a while (at a brewery taproom) who was asking if I was still brewing. He figured lots of people probably gave it up as the number of breweries exploded where you could get interesting and really great beers massively increased in the last few years.
Brewing for me is part of my enjoyment of doing things on my own instead of using a mass produced thing. I fly fish and tie my own flies, I like building things and working on my own vehicles and mountain bikes, and I really enjoy learning to cook really well and making meals for family and friends. I get a lot out of brewing but I am time limited so I don't brew as much as I might.

 

[jdauria]

We have had a lot of guys in our club quit the hobby the last few years as Covid caused many to lose interest. a Cooler bottle share and Zoom meetings was just not enough to keep everyone invested. But there was underlying reasons besides Covid also, guys moved out of state, had kids, one decided to start a BBQ business full time, one who was already a pro brewer also became part owner of the brewery, etc etc. What was a small club of 30 at it's peak is down to about 8-9 guys, of which only 5-6 show up every month.

As for me, my end of line for brewing may come when we downsize our house in the next few years and move into a condo. Won't have a dedicated lager fridge and a dedicated upright fridge kegerator at my disposal anymore, so that will crimp my lager brewing somewhat. But who knows, maybe I just store it all at my son's house and brew there instead.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

We have had a lot of guys in our club quit the hobby the last few years as Covid caused many to lose interest.

The COVID area made me realize how important the social aspect of the hobby is. That I don't just brew to have alcohol to drink at home, but mostly so I can hang out with friends at homebrew club meetings and get together to share beers. I had lots of free time to brew, but the stock piled up as I did not have any easy way for others to help me drink it.

 

[capt82]

I used to own a homebrew store. The biggest reason people would say they quit was not having time anymore, and that was usually due to kids.

I know other guys who quit due to age. They got into their 70s and can’t lift things and do the work anymore.

I view brewing my own beer as a survival skill like cooking, home repairs, and equipment repairs. I recently moved to an area without a homebrew store. I had to reinvent my whole supply and brewing process in order to continue to brew, affordably.

How many people would you say quit brewing because supplies were too hard to get or too expensive to buy online? I would say this is my biggest challenge.

 

[IrondaleBrewing]

This is from 2015 but it is a thing now. Session beers! There’s a great book with the title.

I’ve been brewing lower alcohol stuff since I first started. Bitters and mild ale have always been among my most favorite styles. Around 3%, so I guess I wouldn’t say extremely low alcohol but lower than average.

For diet beers, Michelob Ultra advertises 95 calories and 2.6 carbs. But still 4%. Miller Lite advertises 96 calories and 3.2 carbs. Still 4%. Having compared them side by side, I’ll take Miller Lite out of those 2 all day long for the extra 1 calorie and fraction of a carb.

That Session Beers book by Jennifer Talley is absolutely fantastic.

 

[IrondaleBrewing]

This is of course totally anecdotal, but a lot of people I know who've quit brewing said something along the lines of "it's just too much equipment and stuff to have around." Which to me, along with what a lot of other folks have pointed out, is a great argument for small batch brewing.

Back when I was in grad school I'd do 10 gallons nearly every week and it'd disappear because, well, grad school and lots of people who like free beer.

Nowadays I typically have one beer after work if that, so it'd take me months to go through even 5 gallons, which is a big reason that when I started brewing again I started with 1-gallon batches. That way I can experiment more, and more frequently, without having so much beer around that I could never drink it all.

I'll probably scale up slightly to do maybe 2-gallon batches of stuff I really enjoy and get some 2.5-gallon kegs in a kegerator, but unless I know I'm brewing for a party or to give a bunch away, I can't imagine doing 5-gallon batches again, let alone 10.

And even though I have a dedicated brewing space I really, really enjoy the smaller scale of all the equipment. Easier to store and clean, easier to manage, and the whole process just feels less overwhelming.

Just throwing all this out there as food for thought. Makes me wonder how 5 gallons became the de facto standard batch size to begin with, and how many people if they scaled back from that might find themselves still enjoying it.

 

[mac_1103]

That book ("Session Beers" from Jennifer Talley) is just about the most worthless homebrewing book I have.

That Session Beers book by Jennifer Talley is absolutely fantastic.

ISTMTYMMV

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

This is of course totally anecdotal, but a lot of people I know who've quit brewing said something along the lines of "it's just too much equipment and stuff to have around." Which to me, along with what a lot of other folks have pointed out, is a great argument for small batch brewing.

Back when I was in grad school I'd do 10 gallons nearly every week and it'd disappear because, well, grad school and lots of people who like free beer.

Nowadays I typically have one beer after work if that, so it'd take me months to go through even 5 gallons, which is a big reason that when I started brewing again I started with 1-gallon batches. That way I can experiment more, and more frequently, without having so much beer around that I could never drink it all.

I'll probably scale up slightly to do maybe 2-gallon batches of stuff I really enjoy and get some 2.5-gallon kegs in a kegerator, but unless I know I'm brewing for a party or to give a bunch away, I can't imagine doing 5-gallon batches again, let alone 10.

And even though I have a dedicated brewing space I really, really enjoy the smaller scale of all the equipment. Easier to store and clean, easier to manage, and the whole process just feels less overwhelming.

Just throwing all this out there as food for thought. Makes me wonder how 5 gallons became the de facto standard batch size to begin with, and how many people if they scaled back from that might find themselves still enjoying it.

I can't imagine brewing less than ten gallon batches. For me though I'll split a batch for a fruit addition or just a full batch of beers I love. One gallon batches seem unimaginable but maybe I'd change my mind if I scaled down and tried it.

To each their own, that's what makes this hobby so enjoyable!

 

[IrondaleBrewing]

Wow. I'm surprised to hear such a negative opinion of it, but I suppose it depends on what you're looking to get out of it. To me I really appreciated the historical context and the way she placed session beers in the overall landscape, particularly in the era of higher ABV being a badge of honor or, for some, an implicit indication of quality.

It's not a how-to book per se, but I thought the focus on the value of nuance in an age of stunt beers, and the value of being able to have a couple of beers with friends and not winding up on the floor, was great.

I also really liked the recipes at the end and the inclusion of thoughts from a lot of legends in craft brewing.

As I said, it's more about why than how, and for me was a great reminder of one of the big reasons we drink beer in the first place, namely community.

Anyway, totally get how it might not be for everyone depending on what you were looking to get out of it, but I thought it was a fantastic read and definitely got my brain spinning.

 

[Pablo 54]

I'm supposed to stay close to two drinks per day but I don't normally drink during the work week. On weekends, I generally will have 3 pints on a Friday and 3 pints on a Saturday. To keep myself in balance, when I finish my first pint, I fill up my glass with water and drink that then move on to my second pint. Good for the kidneys.

Home brewing, lagers are always 5 gallons since I know it will take me a few months to finish them off and ales are 3 gallons or less.

 

[MaxStout]

Here's my curmudgeon-eye view of this.

I'm starting to get my brain around the opposite idea: brew more, go out less.

It seems like too many craft breweries are just phoning it in. We drive across town, sit in uncomfortable metal chairs, and pay $6-$8 for a 12 oz shaker "pint" of ok beer. Then pay $15 for a meal from some sketchy food truck, and drive home, hoping my BAC isn't across the line.

I can brew decent beer for <$1 a bottle, cook the food we want, and enjoy it ourselves or with neighbors in our living room or patio.

If I want something special, like a 4-pack of Duvel, I can swing by the local Total Wine.

 

[day_trippr]

As the founder of "Curmudgeons Unlimited" I approve ^that message^.

Cheers!

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Here's my curmudgeon-eye view of this.

I'm starting to get my brain around the opposite idea: brew more, go out less.

It seems like too many craft breweries are just phoning it in. We drive across town, sit in uncomfortable metal chairs, and pay $6-$8 for a 12 oz shaker "pint" of ok beer. Then pay $15 for a meal from some sketchy food truck, and drive home, hoping my BAC isn't across the line.

I can brew decent beer for <$1 a bottle, cook the food we want, and enjoy it ourselves or with neighbors in our living room or patio.

If I want something special, like a 4-pack of Duvel, I can swing by the local Total Wine.

I'm with you! I stopped by a new place, they sell craft beers on tap from Wisconsin only. Worth a stop to check it out but at seven bucks for a pint I won't be a regular.

I enjoy my bar and outdoor space for a couple pints and something tasty from the grill. When the weather is right my bird Roxy will join me. Sometimes my wife too.

 

[Tomahawk47]

Here's my curmudgeon-eye view of this.

I'm starting to get my brain around the opposite idea: brew more, go out less.

It seems like too many craft breweries are just phoning it in. We drive across town, sit in uncomfortable metal chairs, and pay $6-$8 for a 12 oz shaker "pint" of ok beer. Then pay $15 for a meal from some sketchy food truck, and drive home, hoping my BAC isn't across the line.

I can brew decent beer for <$1 a bottle, cook the food we want, and enjoy it ourselves or with neighbors in our living room or patio.

If I want something special, like a 4-pack of Duvel, I can swing by the local Total Wine.

This is not being a "curmudgeon". It's just being realistic. I brew the beer that I like and I can do it consistently. In a flight of beers at the brewpub, I often wince when I taste them. I was asked recently what beer I buy at the liquor store. I couldn't answer because I don't like what's on the shelves and I only buy in those rare times where I ran out. And then it's a hard decision because I know I may not enjoy what I buy.
And to turn things around on the OP's original post, that is why I don't quit brewing.

 

[tld6008]

My Bad Kingmatt., for some now unknown reason I thought you were referring to the Northeast Style IPA forum originated by Braufessor.

 

[capt82]

Just throwing all this out there as food for thought. Makes me wonder how 5 gallons became the de facto standard batch size to begin with, and how many people if they scaled back from that might find themselves still enjoying it.

I started with 1 gallon, then 5 gallons, and now 6.5 gallons. I try to keep my equipment to a minimal not only to keep cost down, but to keep my brew space to a minimal. The problem I had with small batches is I felt like I was always brewing and out of beer. I began 5 gallon batches which was doable in the kitchen but with some challenges. The 5 gallon carboy had it's challenges as well. When the Big Mouth Bubbler came out for a reasonable price, it changed my whole process. I had to get a bigger boil pot, a dedicated mash-tun, a propane burner, and some kind of garage setup. I enjoy garage brewing. I would rather brew once every 2-3 months than brew every 2-3 days. Maybe this is how the 5 gallon batch became the "de facto" standard.

 

[brewguyver]

For me, I quit because life got in the way. My brewing buddies had moved. I moved to a new house and it didn’t have a 220 outlet (gas drier) for my induction plate. it got to the point where I could brew, but didn’t have the motivation to rack and keg. Then we had kids.

I’ve come back because a friend moved to town who used to brew, and I have a little more time to dedicate to it again. It’s crazy how much kit I still have lying around.

My interests tend to ebb and flow according to what goes on, although they typically revolve around food and fermentation. I’m glad I’m back to brewing again.

 

[lumpher]

Some of us walk away from it for a while because we get tired of "Are you done yet???" ... "Are you done yet???"... This is turning me into more of a curmudgeon every day...

 

[gewehr43sniper]

usually kids, moving away, or health reasons

 

[Tomahawk47]

Some of us walk away from it for a while because we get tired of "Are you done yet???" ... "Are you done yet???"... This is turning me into more of a curmudgeon every day...

I get that all the time. Either she's irritated that I'm doing something she frowns upon, or I'm not doing something she wants me to do. Did I get married? Yes! Did I agree to do whatever she says? Damn! Same answer.

"I've got a headache."

 

[JAReeves]

I loved being a chef, but 3 months in ICU after my Harley and I got run over by a Goldwing stopped that career path; brewing beer is a way I can still create tasty things to share with people. I love making beer, loved making it 2-4 times a month. Then we got a plague; so who can we share with anymore? It's frustrating to spend so much time perfecting a process that you can't use because you can't drink it fast enough to justify making more. If I could share it more, I would make more, but I also haven't replaced it with anything else; it's the hobby I love.

 

[lumpher]

Whatever she says? Nope... And there is no bargaining

"I've got a headache."

So do I. Her name is... NM...

 

[PberBob]

If I could share it more, I would make more, but I also haven't replaced it with anything else; it's the hobby I love.

^^This!!!^^^.

 

[matt_m]

When I graduated from college I was really into cars, even did a little drag racing, a hobby that became incompatible with my new wife's interests and something either of us wanted to be dragging a baby to. I was developing a real interest in woodworking (thank PBS and Norm Abrams) so I sold the car and got into woodworking which I could do out in the garage as time permitted. I was REALLY into woodworking for several years. I had periods of waning interest and at one point sold off some equipment to get into some metalworking but ended up really just upgrading several items. It took a lot of space and I had a dedicated building. When our kid got into late middle school we realized the right thing for us was to move "into town" and bought a house in a subdivision. That was truly a family decision, nothing I ever felt forced into. I was going to do a basement shop but in the process of sorting through all my stuff, deciding what to keep, what to downgrade, etc, I realized how dusty everything was and that I just needed to give it up. I kept or traded for some basic tools and did some utility projects around here but have now even pared back to just basic maintenance tools. After a couple years here I got REALLY into brewing. Now we are empty nesters, less than a year from going back to being DINKs and thinking about the future and retirement in a decade or so. We're probably not going anywhere soon but when we do, I could see us landing in a small condo to allow us to rent or buy a second place to winter. I anticipate that plan would be pretty incompatible with continuing this hobby at the scale I'm into it now and I'm not sure I'd be happy scaling back because one of my interests is striving for that elusive "perfect" process (same when I was into woodworking.) Maybe I'll take up birding next (doubtful.)

 

[whoaru99]

I like getting out of the house. Often spend more being there than the cost of a couple pints at the pub/brewery.

 

[Kee]

Here's my curmudgeon-eye view of this.

I'm starting to get my brain around the opposite idea: brew more, go out less.

It seems like too many craft breweries are just phoning it in. We drive across town, sit in uncomfortable metal chairs, and pay $6-$8 for a 12 oz shaker "pint" of ok beer. Then pay $15 for a meal from some sketchy food truck, and drive home, hoping my BAC isn't across the line.

I can brew decent beer for <$1 a bottle, cook the food we want, and enjoy it ourselves or with neighbors in our living room or patio.

If I want something special, like a 4-pack of Duvel, I can swing by the local Total Wine.

Exactly

 

[Kee]

When I win the lottery (ha!) I might just hire someone to brew for me, after a trip to Belgium to try a hundred different beers (research is tough work, but it's got to be done).

In the meantime, even though some (not all!!) of the thrill is gone, brewing gives me more return for my effort than almost anything else. It just doesn't take that much of my energy. Turn on the electric kettle, go drink coffee. Start the mash, hit golf balls in the backyard or go for a walk with my wife. Start the boil, argue with strangers on the internet. It's not like mountain climbing or something.

 

[harry_the_face]

Let's be honest, it take 4 hours to brew from grain and most people have a hard time waiting for the microwave to stop.

Covid got a lot of people out of brewing including me. I was doing a foundation repair and then a kitchen renovation and didn't have time to sleep let alone brew. I also could buy good beer for almost the same price to make it.

I just started back up and have three 5 gal batches done in the last two weeks. I was encouraged by my wife who wanted my smoked porter for fall. Kids are out of the house, diy chores are mostly done and have time again.

 

[MrClint]

Why do people quit brewing?

My best guess is that their beer isn't good enough to justify the effort and/or expense. No shame in it. Good beer can be bought pretty cheaply.

 

[adx]

As already been stated it’s the time commitment. It really hard for me to find a solid half day between work and family life. I brewed *a lot* but then I had kids and if rather enjoy time with my kids than brew beer.

Now I’ll probably do about 4 batches a year. I find the time by taking a day off work to be alone.