Wow old thread, but very apropos. Homebrewing is the only hobby (other than working on cars, which isn't really a hobby but a necessity) that I've managed to keep going for longer than a year. I've made many stellar beers in four years, also some phenomenal dumpers; but each one has taught me something. I'm a big DIY gal, would rather do something myself than pay someone else to do it (within reason, plumbing and electrical stuff is beyond me). Yes I am married to a person of the opposite gender but he's not the best at DIY; he does one home project a year and I'm good with that. He's also the first to brag about his homebrewing/car fixing wife.
Homebrewing is the penultimate DIY for me. What is more satisfying than pulling a pint, or pouring a bottle, of something you made yourself? Whether from a kit, a proven recipe, or something you came up with out of your own head? NOTHING, in my very biased opinion. I'm sitting here right now typing after a very successful brewday, a recipe of my own making, that will be a very good beer in a couple weeks.
Another point; there aren't many female home brewers out there (at least that I personally know, @HoppytobeMerry and
@Yooper I love you gals), and I like to prove we can do just as well as the men. When I read about brewing history and found that most homebrewers back in the day were women, I was intrigued.
TLDR; but I am a homebrewer, and I love it for the process, the end result, and the kudos I get from friends and family. And being able to make what I want, WHEN I want.