Why does everyone make their brewday so stressfull and expensive

[Howhownow]

I had, over the years, built up a kind of rube-goldberg device brewery. 3-vessel RIMS, propane boil, all mobile to be dragged outside every brew day. I was making great beer, but it was an all-day endeavor and there were so many 'moving parts'.
I recently bought a new house with a basement and it inspired me to embark on the extremely cathartic experience of selling off basically all of my old gear and building a new brewery. It is both larger in capacity, yet exponentially simpler and (will be, finishing soon) quicker to use. I took the time up front to plan my system and build out the space to work most efficiently.
I am grateful for the experience with all the systems and processes that I've used, but much isn't necessary for good, even great, beer. Many times there's just a simpler way to get the same results.
In summation, I agree with the sentiment of the original post, but not necessarily the tone. End the end, it's a hobby like any other. You can fish with a string off a bank or spend thousands on a boat and gear. Heck, you may even catch the same fish in the end.

 

[MaryB]

I find it relaxing, I read a book as I work, listen to music, enjoy being away from the TV and computer for awhile! It isn't complicated, thinking your way through a problem isn't hard with the wealth of information available online now...

 

[spiff2268]

Shhhh don't tell people... When you tell someone you brew your own beer they look at you as though you have magical powers!

Well, beer is like a magic potion: It makes you dance better, makes your jokes funnier, helps you enunciate louder, makes ugly people better looking, etc.

 

[blizz81]

Everyone knows you can only make "good" beer (not "great" beer) by doing a sextuple decoction on every batch.

 

[AkBrew907]

Shhhh don't tell people... When you tell someone you brew your own beer they look at you as though you have magical powers!

Really though. Brewing can be as complicated and time consuming or as simple as you want it to be. Just like any hobby.

 

[kh54s10]

For those who think the OP is being arrogant or smug. Relax. He is just stating that most extract brewers fret too much about how much more goes into making all grain.

There are more steps involved and you have to pay a bit more attention to what you are doing.

But, it is not something that needs to introduce any stress. I actually enjoy the process of all grain more than I do with extract.

Once you have brewed enough to pay off the investment in equipment, it is far less costly to brew all grain. Extract is really expensive.

 

[brandonnys]

The back of our home brew club shirts read "I brew beer, What's your "SUPER POWER"

I think my company made some stickers for you recently. If not, someone else is using that exact same line on their stickers. I got one from my tech guy Andy and I put it on my monitor.

 

[MarkZ56]

Man oh man, I STRESSED about AG. I put so much time into so many things before I heated up a drop of water, then about 12 hours before my first AG Brew day, I read some stuff here, asked a few questions and got some good advice and just said "Screw it, lets see how it goes".

I missed numbers, I broke a hydrometer (Since have switched to refractometer) but kept things clean and relatively orderly. I'm about 1\2 way through the batch and I can honestly say I made a damn good beer.

My second AG Brew day went smoother than the first (broke a racking cane I didn't even use) and am bottling that batch this weekend. I'm sure I made a solid beer, though again missed a little on numbers.

My advice-and I can give it only from the POV of a new brewer is to take the OP to heart-its an easy process that can be made as simple or as complicated as one would like. I'm keeping the "Screw it, lets see how it goes" mantra about everything else but sanitation. I'd like to think with that approach you can't go wrong and will make beer.

 

[Gianthra]

How do I delete these?

 

[Jaybird]

I think my company made some stickers for you recently. If not, someone else is using that exact same line on their stickers. I got one from my tech guy Andy and I put it on my monitor.

I just put my order in a few days ago so I doubt those are mine. Mine will have my company logo and web address on them also.

It has been on the back of our shirts for a couple of years now and it is a KILLER saying so I don't doubt there are some people printing it by now.

What company do you work for? I still need my bumper stickers done. AND I have a couple other stickers I want made....

Cheers
Jay

 

[brandonnys]

What company do you work for?

I work for Creative Safety Supply. We are the manufacturers of SafetyTac industrial floor tape, as well as LabelTac industrial label printers. We also have a full service print shop on site. We actually work with a fair number of breweries, mostly for safety and compliance stuff, but we've been producing bumper and promotional stickers for breweries as well.

I did look up your company in our system, and lo and behold, you're not in there. However, I DO have a sticker on my computer that says "I Brew Beer, What's Your Superpower?" So your slogan is traveling.

*End of inadvertent company plug*