Why do people Quit brewing?

[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 I’d rather enjoy time with my kids than brew beer.

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

 

[beersk]

I’ve taken a couple long breaks and now I’m back to brewing about once a year. Reasons:
1. I don’t have the time I used to.
2. I don’t have the space I used to.
3. I drink about 1/8th of what I used to. Even then, I’m usually reaching for whiskey instead of beer.

This is a big one for me. The pandemic burned me out as I was doing nothing but drinking my homebrew at home. Now that we're past most of that and I do nothing but work from home all day, when I want beer, I want to go out. And also I don't drink nearly as much as I was and trying to be more health conscious. In essence, homebrewing has kind of lost its purpose for me. But I haven't quit yet...I don't think I ever could, but the though often crosses my mind. I could sell most my stuff, use that money for something more useful, use the space for something more useful... But I've been brewing since 2008, it just doesn't feel right to up and quit something you've put so much time, money, and physical and emotional energy into. But I just turned 40 a couple months ago and, ya know, sometimes it's just time to move on.

 

[user 246304]

To the original question, I quit brewing because my physical and mental health was in the toilet. 270, serious depression. Diagnosed with PTSD and better handle on the medical stuff (brainstem damage is better understood), stopped drinking entirely.

Weighed myself two days ago, 212 and physically fit - medical team has helped hone in on dealing with a permanent medical condition, and I've learned to deal. Mental health has been on a good trajectory for years, with good help from a few key people, most especially a great PTSD psychologist, with whom I connected.

I've not missed the beer so much over the years, but have always missed brewing. I will have a beer every few days now, but loving brewing again. And being part of this pretty awesome community again.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

I've been reading through this to see what others are saying. I've been at the cross road a few times wondering how long I can go. I've been in this since 1985 and still enjoy the process, the history and just sipping on a beer I made. I don't drink like I used too and I try to not over consume although I do sometimes. It's a fine line.

 

[skunkape]

I moved about an hour away from most of my drinking compadres and that has decreased the demand on my pipeline. A 5 gal keg of beer lasts me a couple of months now cause I'm not that big on drinking alone. That has cut me back to about 5 or 6 brews a year. I give some away and take it with me when I visit friends - but that requires bottling and I have really grown to dislike all that extra work. It's slowed me down a lot, but I don't think I will ever stop brewing completely. It's not as cool as camping and paddling but it's a lot less dangerous than dual-sport riding. Eventually I may sell the bikes and the canoes, but the Grainfather will probably end up in a Thrift Store after I'm gone.

 

[whoaru99]

...the Grainfather will probably end up in a Thrift Store after I'm gone.

Fairly sure all my toys, big stuff like vehicles notwithstanding, will be put out on the curb with a big "Free" sign.

Hopefully someone takes them before ruined by weather or hauled to the dump.

 

[huckdavidson]

Don't drink anymore
Health has declined
It's become too expensive.
Scared of addiction, becoming an alcoholic.
Needed the money.
Got hung up on process, upgrades cost an arm and a leg.
No one to share it with.
Moved.
Friends moved.
Found religion.
Not enjoyable due to circumstances
Nothing more to learn
Other hobbies take precedence
Started a family
Decided to get "healthy"
Drank too much homebrew
Only did it for the process, never drank the beer
Couldn't make drinkable beer
SWMBO said no more or else...
I'm the only one who drinks my beer
Bought expensive setup to try and make "good" beer but didn't really need it
Changed jobs, new job takes too much time
Promoted, job now takes too much time
Got DUI/DWI, thrown in the brig
New brewery venture failed don't want to see the stuff anymore
Went back to BMC
Saving time buying commercial craft instead

 

[user 246304]

Don't drink anymore
Health has declined
It's become too expensive.
Scared of addiction, becoming an alcoholic.
Needed the money.
Got hung up on process, upgrades cost an arm and a leg.
No one to share it with.
Moved.
Friends moved.
Found religion.
Not enjoyable due to circumstances
Nothing more to learn
Other hobbies take precedence
Started a family
Decided to get "healthy"
Drank too much homebrew
Only did it for the process, never drank the beer
Couldn't make drinkable beer
SWMBO said no more or else...
I'm the only one who drinks my beer
Bought expensive setup to try and make "good" beer but didn't really need it
Changed jobs, new job takes too much time
Promoted, job now takes too much time
Got DUI/DWI, thrown in the brig
New brewery venture failed don't want to see the stuff anymore
Went back to BMC
Saving time buying commercial craft instead

That's a rough road, Huck. I'm sorry you went through it and offering you encouragement and best wishes.

 

[user 246304]

It's not as cool as camping and paddling but it's a lot less dangerous than dual-sport riding.

I got back to my deeper love, wilderness. Went hunting with my son in our northern big woods, 4 days and over 20 miles of hard hunting on the move. I'm training for a western hunt with him, so that's a heck of a lot healthier than pounding beer daily.

 

[beersk]

I view brewing like cooking. You have to eat/drink. Even though I will never be a chef, nor want to be a chef, I cook out of necessity. I cook well enough to get by and occasionally pull off something tasty. My alternative is to go out and get fast food or domestic beer. I can't afford to go to a restaurant or buy craft beer for a lot more money, although very tasty. Most people don't eat out their whole life. I can't cook a Tarte Flambee nor want to but I can make a decent pot of goulash, again, with left overs. Affordable and beats fast food any day. My worst beers have always been when I tried to brew something above my skill level, like a triple chocolate stout. I always resort back to a basic ale so I don't go thirsty. Still better than any domestic beer.

I identify with this pretty heavily. Brewing has become more of a subsistence thing than anything. Because, as someone else said, "craft" beer sucks! Everyone and their brother thinks they can do it now and no one has the bells to tell them NO, they can't, what they make stinks. Or maybe I'm just a snob. That's probably more accurate LOL And as MaxStout said, the prices are astronomical for mediocrity. I turned in my craft beer lovers card a while back...
But if I want cheap beer, I typically grab a dirty thirty of Hamms or something. You guys who have Yuengling as your go-to cheap beer are LUCKY. My fridge would always be stocked with that if we could get it in Iowa.

 

[huckdavidson]

I got back to my deeper love, wilderness. Went hunting with my son in our northern big woods, 4 days and over 20 miles of hard hunting on the move. I'm training for a western hunt with him, so that's a heck of a lot healthier than pounding beer daily.

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Did you get the thirty pointer? With your oozy laser radar heat seeking missile launching shot gun?

 

[user 246304]

Y

I identify with this pretty heavily. Brewing has become more of a subsistence thing than anything. Because, as someone else said, "craft" beer sucks! Everyone and their brother thinks they can do it now and no one has the bells to tell them NO, they can't, what they make stinks. Or maybe I'm just a snob. That's probably more accurate LOL And as MaxStout said, the prices are astronomical for mediocrity. I turned in my craft beer lovers card a while back...
But if I want cheap beer, I typically grab a dirty thirty of Hamms or something. You guys who have Yuengling as your go-to cheap beer are LUCKY. My fridge would always be stocked with that if we could get it in Iowa.

Yuengling - joining in.

 

[user 246304]

Did you get the thirty pointer? With your oozy laser radar heat seeking missile launching shot gun?

Nope. In fact, covering easily 15 square miles, I saw exactly 3 rubs, no scrapes, and with no snow and 40's, tracks were impossible. At the draw below, we did sit, and my son saw a deer at about 150 yards but on the run and into the brush. Couldn't tell whether it was a buck or doe, and no shot anyway.

Tough, tough year for the herd, poor creatures. I hope with the warmer winter they have it easier this year.

And no, definitely not a modern hunter. Grew up hunting chapparal, first rifle was a model '97 Marlin 22LR, built close to then (1897), heavy octagonal barrel and iron sights. This is my rifle for northwoods hunting:

Marlin guide gun 45-70. Not much has changed, except my begrudging acceptance my eyes aren't what they used to be so I have to accept the scope.

OP and others, sorry for hijacking the thread. I'll close now on the hunting/wilderness thing.

 

[beersk]

Back on topic...

Seems there's a distinction between quitting and taking a break that needs to be made here. Some folks are saying they left brewing for a number of years, but never sold their equipment off. Breaks from anything are fine, unless of course if it's your marriage or relationship. That usually doesn't result in coming back to it with the same passion and drive you had to start. LOL But sometimes, it does... I say, 3rd time's a charm or 3 strikes and you're out...

 

[mac_1103]

In fact, covering easily 15 square miles, I saw exactly 3 rubs, no scrapes, and with no snow and 40's, tracks were impossible.

I guess they've all moved to the suburbs. I can't walk around my block without seeing at least a half a dozen does and it's rare to go a week without seeing several bucks. They drive my dog crazy. Well OK, it's actually me driving him crazy by not letting him chase them.

 

[dbsmith]

I took a break because I bought a house a couple of years ago. It's quite the fixer upper, but I've finally finished about all of the projects that I'm going to do myself. I was only brewing about once a year. I've gotten back into brewing, and now that I have a house, I bought my own grain sacks, mill, and other equipment I didn't have the space for in the apartment. Brewing lagers is much easier with a garage now, too.

 

[Agent]

I took a break because I bought a house a couple of years ago. It's quite the fixer upper, but I've finally finished about all of the projects that I'm going to do myself. I was only brewing about once a year. I've gotten back into brewing, and now that I have a house, I bought my own grain sacks, mill, and other equipment I didn't have the space for in the apartment. Brewing lagers is much easier with a garage now, too.

I feel you. I gutted my house fueled by cubes of Hamms while unable to brew.

Then I got back to brewing as I started finish work, and it shows..

 

[rallenhall]

My local circle of brewers from the '90's no longer exists ... quit, moved, or aged out. As one explained, "We brewed when good beer was exciting and hard to find. Now I can pick up anything I like at the corner carry-out."

 

[jdauria]

The attrition my club has seen with the the drop of brewers is mainly the younger guys having their first kids and no longer having time for brewing, or on the other extreme, guys becoming head brewers in breweries and now do it for a job so don't have the time/will to brew at home also. I get it, I brewed in the 90's with extract, but once my son started playing sports, I was coaching Little League, then summer all stars, then youth soccer and travel soccer, so I got away from brewing until around 2011 when I picked it back up. Me, I am still chugging along batch number wise, but will be cutting back batch sizes in 2024 due to a health issue that's forcing me to only drink on occasion. But I am a competitive brewer, so that keeps me going, otherwise I would probably go back to like when I started and brew only 5-6 times a year.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

My local circle of brewers from the '90's no longer exists ... quit, moved, or aged out. As one explained, "We brewed when good beer was exciting and hard to find. Now I can pick up anything I like at the corner carry-out."

Several folks I know have said the same thing, why brew it when it's all at the store now.

There's a very limited few I'll pick up at the beer store. I get very frustrated walking down the endless aisles of qwerky labels trying to find a clue of what kind of beer it is. I mean, the label art is nice and very creative to look at but I hate accidentally picking up a tangerine and cinnamon infused Oktoberfest some brewery thought would be a good brew.

I brew my own because I like my beer. I'm confident I'm saving anything but I know mostly what I'm getting.

 

[Langerz]

I'm still really a newbie (approaching 1 year in a few weeks) but I've actually had this question in the back of my mind.

At first it was the time commitment. I do really enjoy brewing, but it is time consuming and during the last year got in the way of a couple other hobbies. My brew process the first year was about as simple as gets (hot side anyway). Propane burner BIAB in the garage. I enjoyed it but it's also pretty labor/focus intensive. I'm moving indoors and electric soon (have 95% of the parts assembled for the new system and rest are in route) and while I know the time is still going to be the time I'm hoping that having some automation can help as I can at least walk away more and do some things around the house etc.

Now I'm starting to realize what I really like about brewing (well besides having really good beer on tap in my house) is the process and upgrading the process. I spent most of the last year gradually improving the cold side since I'm an NEIPA lover and wanted to get as much oxygen away from the cold side as possible. I already mentioned I'm upgrading the hot side now. I'm not doing everything I want to do on that side now. Saving some for future to spread out the money. One of the things I really like about the hobby though is thinking about how to improve the process/set up. I know there will always be improvements I can make, but there will also be a point I'm 95% percent of where I want to be and the improvements will be small incremental. There's a voice in the back of my head wondering if I'll like it as much when I get to that point.

 

[Langerz]

Several folks I know have said the same thing, why brew it when it's all at the store now.

There's a very limited few I'll pick up at the beer store. I get very frustrated walking down the endless aisles of qwerky labels trying to find a clue of what kind of beer it is. I mean, the label art is nice and very creative to look at but I hate accidentally picking up a tangerine and cinnamon infused Oktoberfest some brewery thought would be a good brew.

I brew my own because I like my beer. I'm confident I'm saving anything but I know mostly what I'm getting.

If we start a thread of "Why do people quit telling others that they brew?" for me it will be getting questions like .....

Hey you brew beer? Have you ever considered making a beer with tangerine and cinnamon? I had one of those at ______ and really liked it.

No I have not considered that.

 

[Dog House Brew]

My issue is finding a beer at the store, looking at the date, and putting it back. There is a ton at the store. A ton of out of date/avg beer. Then what you like is $20/4 pack of pints. I feel like my beer is better than what I can buy. I’m stuck in an area that doesn’t get all the stuff I see on here. My kid is about to get his drivers license. That will help me out. I can see why people slow down. I can see why people start and leave once they see what it takes. Now that I’ve built the brewery and have all the investment, no way I’m quitting. I’ll stick it somewhere and let it collect dust before quitting. I have learned to brew beers that cellar well too. Nice to have something to pull while in a lull. I’ll look at it like golf. I play only a few times a year now. I still enjoy it every time. Even if I would only brew a few times a year, I’d enjoy it every time.

 

[Airborneguy]

I “quit” for the most commonly heard reason: kids. It wasn’t so much time, but space. Living in a 1240sq ft NYC condo with 2 kids wasn’t conducive to brewing. I lost my tiny private room (half of the garage) when my second came.

I tried to keep brewing out of the small space that my garage became when we converted it into the master bedroom. The requirement that we keep a functioning garage door left me just enough space but between always having to brew outdoors and the need for more storage space, it eventually died off. I had set up a small reloading bench in my attic for making bullets but I couldn’t brew up there for obvious reasons.

Fast forward to 2021 and we moved to a much larger house in NJ. Brewing was immediately back in my mind but with renovations and other changes inherent to moving across state lines it took about a year to get back into it.

Now my garage houses my brewing and my reloading lol.

 

[fluketamer]

for me when i take a hiatus or when i took hiati (?) it was usually due to time constraints. kids, school obligations, work. fortunately i have enough time and money to brew . although money is not that much of an excuse. we throw money out every day with starbucks and netflix subscriptions that 10 bucks of grain and hops and yeast on a stove top biab 1 gallon batch makes money not an acceptable answer to why peopl stop brewing imo . brewhouse infection once stopped me from brewing for a while cause i was frustrated with a ruined batch of beer and thought im not doing this again. black friday a few months later brought back the bug. lol i imagine if for health reason i couldnt drink then i would stop brewing beer. but i would definately still ferment or can something. just to tinker.

 

[apache_brew]

I started brewing in Dec '18 after catching the bug from an old friend who owns a brewery. He quickly got me set up with equipment to brew 10 gallon batches after starting on plastic newbie gear. That turned into a pace of roughly 1 batch a month brewing 10 gallon pilot batches where I would give my friend a 1/6 bbl of finished beer for piloting new recipes and I would keep 5 gallons for my kegerator. Free ingredients and high demand fueled into a really active 3 years of brewing for me. Flash to '21 after my 2nd kid was born, and we decide to move 100 miles away to a house that needed 6 months of renovation work done to it, on top of just life, and that put the brewing halt on me for about 2 years. Dusted off the equipment this past April and have since brewed about 5 batches (was able to host our Oktoberfest party which was a blast) and am just starting to make pilot batches for my buddy's brewery again, just need to figure out the transportation logistics as I'm not a 10 minute drive away from him like I used to be.

I'll probably hover around the 4-10 batch per year range moving forward now that I'm set up again (event dependent and pilot batch specific), but I'm also not trying to drink more beer like I was in 2020 during the pandemic because that would be a path for destruction. I'm also very simple when it comes to beer styles. I prefer a German lager or a Sierra Nevada Pale/Celebration Ale. I also now live 2 blocks from my town's local brewery and they churn out some great stuff + Friday night wood fired pizzas, so buying good beer is very easy as well.

I'll continue to tinker with fermenters and cold side equipment now that I have access to my TIG welding equipment. One hobby helps encourage the other.

 

[Kornssj]

I had quit brewing from 2017 to now because I realized that the labor was not worth it. It was much too simple to just go buy good beer VS do everything involved with Home Brew.

I have picked it back up because it was either Magic the Gathering or This... The hobbies cost pretty much exactly the same and I like This much better!

 

[moreb33rplz]

i brewed my first batch in 2005 at age 19 to get around not being 21. did it a lot for 3 years, quit for several years, started again for several years, quit for several years, and have currently been brewing regularly since 2018.

i plan to brew until I die. not only do i enjoy the process but i love my beer and i like knowing it came from scratch and its fresh. i dont care about gear, i dont care about competitions, i dont care about exploring styles or learning anymore, beer is just part of my diet and i make mine.

i do need to be careful i dont drink too much. making sure i dont drink too much means i never have to quit drinking and can continue drinking beer forever. 1 beer a day forever >>> tons of beer in the next few years and then being sober forever

...of course sometimes you have to pull the trigger and drink all the beer you want

 

[beersk]

i brewed my first batch in 2005 at age 19 to get around not being 21. did it a lot for 3 years, quit for several years, started again for several years, quit for several years, and have currently been brewing regularly since 2018.

i plan to brew until I die. not only do i enjoy the process but i love my beer and i like knowing it came from scratch and its fresh. i dont care about gear, i dont care about competitions, i dont care about exploring styles or learning anymore, beer is just part of my diet and i make mine.

i do need to be careful i dont drink too much. making sure i dont drink too much means i never have to quit drinking and can continue drinking beer forever. 1 beer a day forever >>> tons of beer in the next few years and then being sober forever

...of course sometimes you have to pull the trigger and drink all the beer you want

That's the spirit! Brew till death!

I likely will as well, as least until I get to an age/point in life where it really just makes no sense to continue. Like someone else said, treating it like golf and playing a few times a year, and really enjoying those few times you play... This is what I do with golf too haha I used to be super serious...like aspirations to be a pro when I was in highschool. Brewing once a quarter seems prudent for someone not quite wanting to put all their energy into but definitely still keep it a part of their life.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

My issue is finding a beer at the store, looking at the date, and putting it back. There is a ton at the store. A ton of out of date/avg beer. Then what you like is $20/4 pack of pints. I feel like my beer is better than what I can buy.

Yep! While you can walk into any grocery store and see a huge array of IPAs, it can be a real gamble. Classic American IPAs can be hard to find (or just a Pale Ale that is not 6% and hazy). I do like Hazy IPAs, but I avoid purchasing them unless they are fresh at the brewery...which means $18 4-packs. I can have a brewery-fresh beer on tap that is tweaked towards my preferences and I don't have to spend $9 per glass (though I still do that). Also, lots of the stuff imported from Europe is stale (though I find as more is canned, it is easier to get a fresh tasting import).

There are also a lot of styles that are just hard to find.