Why do you homebrew? Are people nuts?

[skadalajara]

My reasons are many, and seem to be increasing.
First, I'm a survivalist. I've been looking into what I can ferment that grows wild in the desert SW. Society may fail in my lifetime, and being without beer would make life unbearable.
Second, most things off the shelf aren't good enough for my needs. So I want to make beers that are. (I've got a ways to go, but it'll happen.)
Thirdly, i'd like to start my own business at some point. It's either a 4x4 shop or brewery. (Maybe both. )
I'm fascinated by early human history. I've been trying my hand at the neolithic arts lately. Flintnapping, astronomic timekeeping, firemaking, bone jewelry. Brewing just fits in there somehow. Plus, they'll all come in pretty handy after the Zombie Apocalypse.
I love to cook, mostly for other people. Brewing is just a form of cooking that takes more time. And few people turn down my creations.
Beer's good for you, as long as you don't overdo it. It belongs in a field first aid kit, too, as far as I'm concerned.
But mostly, I just love beer. I enjoy most styles. Have found none that I really wouldn't drink if I were handed one.

 

[bigcountrybrew]

I got into it to connect with my grandpa, who for years has told me stories of him and his buddies who made wine and such. I also like to grow my own food. In addition to that, we buy our beef from a farmer, not from a grocery store. It is nice to know what goes into the food that we are putting into our bodies. Plus it's making beer. Yummy..delicious…nectar of the god(s)…beer.

 

[Grimster]

I got into it to connect with my grandpa, who for years has told me stories of him and his buddies who made wine and such. I also like to grow my own food. In addition to that, we buy our beef from a farmer, not from a grocery store. It is nice to know what goes into the food that we are putting into our bodies. Plus it's making beer. Yummy..delicious…nectar of the god(s)…beer.

I can't wait to share my welch's wine and homebrew with my granddad, I made my mom go get him from Germany 2 years ago because he wasn't being properly cared for by her brother, and I am 100% convinced he'd be dead now if she hadn't listened to me. Instead he's still going strong, drinking his wine and shuffling around the house and garden (when weather permits). He's 84 and doing good for his age!

 

[mosquitocontrol]

Is it sad that one of the main reasons I brew is to prevent having to carry cases of beer from my trunk to my apt 3x/week. Also preventing the trip to the beer store after work just as often. That alone saves me over 2 hours a week and time in traffic which is priceless.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I brew because it keeps my nerd streak alive. I love science and engineering. I get to use both all the time in this hobby, plus I get beer a the end. I just started assembling a microbiology lab fer cryin out loud. How awesome is that?

 

[McKBrew]

I started brewing, because masturbating kept rubbing me raw.

Seriously though, I'd pretty much agree with everyone else. DIY, cool equipment, etc....

 

[Sedge]

I'm a DIY'er for sure. Especially concerning food and drink. I've never gotten that question for beer or wine, but I have gotten it for making mayonnaise or other food items that others would never think to make. I've also gotten that question for other things like going to a large field and shooting my bows.

 

[Dr_Gordon_Freeman]

-I like DIY hobbies
-I like to cook so this fits in naturally
-I can make rare/unavailable beers
-it's far cheaper than equivalent storebought (microbrews)

 

[loganb]

I started brewing, because masturbating kept rubbing me raw.

that is a pretty good reason to change hobbies. drink more beer and cut back on the masterbation or invest in lube or neosporin

 

[Vtec]

The invention of bread and beer has been argued to be responsible for humanity's ability to develop technology and build civilization...... So, it is inside of us. We have to do it because we are like that..... regards from Czechia...

 

[jiggs_casey]

I went through the list of common answers about how you can make beer cheeper......

A few weeks ago, I was standing in line at one of the local homebrew shops and the guy in front of me wracked up close to $200.00 before it was all said and done. He asked the buy behind the counter jokingly, "When does this get cheaper?" The guy replied, "Saving money by brewing your own beer is like buying a fishing boat to try and save money by catching your own fish..."

 

[UnderThePorchBrewing]

Homebrewing. It's the most incredible science experiment that you can do. and repeat. and repeat. and repeat. and each time you get beer!

We start with an idea for what we want. Then using chemistry, math, (science), etc for basic planning we come up with an initial base to begin. we start with water and grain use a home built MLT (DIY) extract sugars and create the wort then using a hydrometer or refractometer (gadgets) get exact measurements of what we have adjust it until it is where the plan says or close (plans always change) then use a big ass propane burner for heat (fire) boil it add the hops for balance and flavor, cool with a home built counterflow chiller put it into a giant carboy pitch yeast and then watch the magic. couldn't be a better hobby. (Beer!)

 

[C2H5OH]

I don't like chemicals/preservatives in my food and drink.

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

I think I am approaching making beer at about the same cost as buying it at the store. At least for craft brews. I haven't built a lot of equipment (yet) but I'm sure it will come.

I like cooking, I like dabbling with building stuff, and I really like drinking. It's a great mixture of several hobbies.

 

[Whut]

Raising a pint in agreement with the previous 44 posts (including OP). I brew therefore I am!

 

[mpruett]

Some folks have no lives. It's as plain as that.

I have friends who literally have no hobbies, who basically work, go out and drink beer, hang out with their wives/girlfriends, and watch tv/movies. That's it. They're usually the ones who think I'm nuts for brewing my own beer.

Generally speaking, the more inquisitive people who have their own hobbies are pretty accepting of it- they're more likely to be impressed, and think brewing is a lot harder than it really is- sometimes they may think I'm crazy for that reason.

As to why I started; a couple of friends of mine bought a starter kit in college, and I helped out with making a few batches. Of course, the **** who ran the shop didn't, I think, really know what he was doing, and did ******* things like sold "Vienna Lager" kits to guys like us who would be brewing in our dorm rooms and apartments, and we were pretty disappointed when it was estery and funky as hell.

About 5 years passed, and I ended up inheriting the old starter kit. Then, another guy I knew got married and had a kid- he gave me his brewing stuff. So there I was with a whole lot of brewing equpment that I really didn't know how to use, so I decided to figure out how to make something drinkable!

 

[jdc2]

I don't like chemicals/preservatives in my food and drink.

Ethanol is a chemical and a preservative. :fro:

 

[dobeluvr]

I started homebrewing because I found myself watching way too much tv, and complaining there was nothing on to watch. So I thought I would see if I could make beer. The time I'm making beer, I can't watch tv. Since starting last July, I found I do enjoy it. The beer is so much better than what I bought. Each batch, seems to be getting better with age, so much so that when I was at a buddies the other day and ran out of what I'd brought, I could barely force down the beer he gave me. Not sure I'll be drinking too many more bmc's in my life. But I will continue to drink actual good beer.

 

[StoutFan]

I started brewing (well, at least helping) at the age of 5. Dad brewed his own, along with my uncle and many friends. When I turned 21, I finally (legally) brewed a batch from my own hands and have never stopped. I don't do it to save money, or any of the other sill reasons. I do it for the love of beer, and the joy of drinking my own creation!

 

[yummybeer]

i homebrew as a hobby and to enjoy a variety of styles of beer, some of which may not be available where i live. and of course, it's alot cheaper than buying from the store.
i haven't had a negative response to it. everybody i talk to about homebrewing want to try a bottle of what i have ready to drink and are courious as how to get started brewing their own beer.

 

[oceanselv]

I have always been a science and engineering geek. I majored in chemistry in college. As a former lab rat I thoroughly enjoy being able to control the chemistry and the brewing process of the beer. Because I am science geek and not a creative person, this hobby is my chance to be creative and create something that gives not only me pleasure, but gives pleasure to my friends and family as well. Lastly, I have a son who is also an engineering geek and while he is not yet of drinking age he does enjoy brewing with me.

 

[coastwx]

I have a real DIY streak in me.

I also plant a big garden and can/freeze most of the vegetables we use throughout the year. Not to mention that I also got a little ticked when the price of a six of craft beer broke the $10 mark around here.

Ditto! I have the self sufficiency streak like probably many here. 4-5 fishing trips and shrimping in the fall keep the freezer filled with seafood. All year gardening, bees, fruit, bread, etc. A co-worker gave me some hops rhizomes last year, so that was a good excuse to make my own beer and since my taste has evolved in recent years to craft ales in particular, it makes sense. Next in line is mead

 

[passedpawn]

A co-worker gave you some hop rhizomes? Crap. I think I would have a coronary if a co-worker even brought up homebrewing, let alone said "hey, want some hop rhizomes? these cascades been growin like weeks in my side yard".

 

[Teromous]

A co-worker gave you some hop rhizomes? Crap. I think I would have a coronary if a co-worker even brought up homebrewing, let alone said "hey, want some hop rhizomes? these cascades been growin like weeks in my side yard".

Few and far between. I would have a similar reaction.

 

[RushN24]

I've always liked to explore how things are made from scratch. Everything from cheese to different types of specialty foods and drinks. I just think its really kool to see how people discovered to to all this stuff and how the different arts have been perfected over time, you know?

Now that I know what goes into brewing for example, I find it fascinating to think how the idea to make beer was even conceived by people. When you know what goes into some thing you can appreciate it a lot more and its history.

Did somebody thousands of years ago accidentally soak barley in warm water, forget about it for a few weeks and then come back and drink this funky tasting, wild yeast fermented, primordial brew. How did they know to malt the barley? How were specific yeast strains targeted and harvested to be used for brewing this ancient drink. It must have tasted really funny in its early stages, why did they try to duplicate it?...etc.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Why do I brew? Why do i hunt, Why do I fish? Why do I geocache? Why do I read? Because it's fun. Duh. 'Nuff said.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I It must have tasted really funny in its early stages, why did they try to duplicate it?...etc.

C2H5OH.

Duh.

 

[Whut]

A co-worker gave you some hop rhizomes? Crap. I think I would have a coronary if a co-worker even brought up homebrewing, let alone said "hey, want some hop rhizomes? these cascades been growin like weeks in my side yard".

Same here!

 

[agroff383]

Some folks have no lives. It's as plain as that.

I have friends who literally have no hobbies, who basically work, go out and drink beer, hang out with their wives/girlfriends, and watch tv/movies. That's it. They're usually the ones who think I'm nuts for brewing my own beer.

Generally speaking, the more inquisitive people who have their own hobbies are pretty accepting of it- they're more likely to be impressed, and think brewing is a lot harder than it really is- sometimes they may think I'm crazy for that reason.

As to why I started; a couple of friends of mine bought a starter kit in college, and I helped out with making a few batches. Of course, the **** who ran the shop didn't, I think, really know what he was doing, and did ******* things like sold "Vienna Lager" kits to guys like us who would be brewing in our dorm rooms and apartments, and we were pretty disappointed when it was estery and funky as hell.

About 5 years passed, and I ended up inheriting the old starter kit. Then, another guy I knew got married and had a kid- he gave me his brewing stuff. So there I was with a whole lot of brewing equpment that I really didn't know how to use, so I decided to figure out how to make something drinkable!

I couldn't agree more, most of the people that think it is nuts don't have very interesting lives or do anything else other than what you said above. There is so many things to do and be interested in I don't understand why people could ever be bored.

 

[Cliff897]

Flying, hang gliding, woodworking, collecting things, cooking, and brewing beers are a few ways people add a little interest to their lives.

But some are just boring zipper heads who do what the guy in the TV commercial tells them, like a wind up doll.

One odd response I've found to my brewing is fear.
Some people look at it with real fear and trepidation just exactly like some people respond with near mortal terror when you offer to share you plate of freshly breaded and fried hand picked morel mushrooms from your front yard.

Apparently if it doesn't come off a store shelf some people think it's some how less-than.

These have to be the same people who use expressions like "Restaurant Quality" when talking about food because the grub they whip up is so pitiful that anything has to be better.