| Author |
Message |
    
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6849
Registered: 03-2004
Posted From: 74.83.191.159
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 01:57 pm: | 
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We hear all the excuses, family, space, time, etc., but yesterday I heard an interesting one. A fellow who founded a local brew club was going over his latest hobbies since dropping brewing. He commented that he thinks he is a serial hobbyist because he enjoys the learning curve. When it is mostly conquered, he looses interest. Having passed through beer and wine, he is into cheesemaking but asking around about rabbitry.
As for me, being a sustenance brewer and it is my business, I have kept at it despite taking up racing pigeions. |
Joakim Ruud
Senior Member
Username: Joques
Post Number: 1626
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 80.86.210.114
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 02:10 pm: |
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I was a serial hobbyist until I found brewing. And let's face it, you can't learn everything there is to know about brewing in just one lifetime. |
Skotrat
Senior Member
Username: Skotrat
Post Number: 1040
Registered: 07-2007
Posted From: 173.9.91.69
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 02:13 pm: |
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Dan,
The most common reason that I hear is "I am too busy and do not have the time"
I simply can't grasp this one. I have 4 kids, a busy job and many responsibilities. Still I find time to brew.
Even when I was pulling 120 hour weeks on the road I was able to brew here and there when I was home.
Brewing is really the only hobby that I have ever had and chances are I will continue to brew for a long time. |
Paul Hayslett
Senior Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 2295
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 128.36.170.8
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 02:35 pm: |
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I've had this theory for years that no activity remains intrinsically interesting forever. If you do your hobbies in complete isolation, you are likely to tire of them and move on after a few years. But if you become part of a community which shares a hobby, then the friendships and sense of community become the forces which bind you in and keep you doing it.
All the brewers I know who've really quit, the ones who can't be enticed back into it, are guys who brewed alone and never found a club or forum or group of co-brewers. OTOH, the ones I know who have been doing it for years or decades are all part of groups of some sort, even if only on-line.
I've seen the same thing happen with other hobbies. My wife was a serial hobbyist until she found geocaching. She did all the others in isolation. Now that she has been caching for years, she couldn't care less about "one more find", but she loves going caching every weekend with her friends in the local caching community. I stopped building hobby robots years ago because there was no one to share it with. The recent appearance of Arduino clubs and local "maker" groups has gotten me back in the game.
Most of us are social beings. Even if we go fishing alone, we want to talk about fishing with our buddies later. Without that, fishing is just a way to put dinner on the table. |
Bob Wall
Senior Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 2864
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 24.248.74.254
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 04:16 pm: |
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There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.
--Stephen Wright
I would have to agree with Paul. But I would like to add that brewing is an intrinsically social venture in the first place. When you think about it, we all brew not only for our personal enjoyment, but for the enjoyment of others as well. I cannot think of anyone who has tasted his own homebrew and after a eureka moment of sublime ecstasy, has not wanted to share it with others and cherish the positive feedback.
One has to wonder if those who give up the hobby tend toward the anti-social. Just sayin... |
Chumley
Senior Member
Username: Chumley
Post Number: 5965
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 63.118.227.254
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 04:54 pm: |
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Having been brewing for nearly 20 years, I actually find the brewing process to be rather boring. That's why I usually multi-task while I brew....for example, I brewed an ESB on Monday afternoon (took the afternoon off from work) and raked leaves in my yard. Started at 1:00 pm, and didn't get done brewing until halftime of the Iggles game (8:30 or so).....but that was because I was getting other things done.
Which is probably the biggest reason I brew alone. Outside of the brewing demonstration I gave earlier this month, I have never brewed with anyone else. With all the non-active time in brewing (waiting for stuff to boil, mashing, lautering, chilling), there ain't a lot going on. If I had a friend over to brew with, we likely would be drinking for 5+ hours, which would not be good.
My favorite part about brewing (after the drinking, of course), is the recipe formulation....how can I make that next pint a bit better. Kind of like the pursuit of the perfect pot of chili (another favorite past time of mine).
P.S. I have a tripel on tap right now that is so good, no one else is ever going to get to taste it.  |
Skotrat
Senior Member
Username: Skotrat
Post Number: 1041
Registered: 07-2007
Posted From: 173.9.91.69
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 05:24 pm: |
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I enjoy the mindless/boring part of the brewing process...
It is one of the few times that I am responsible for nothing but brewing a beer.
To me it is a form of therapy |
Pete Mazurowski
Intermediate Member
Username: Pete_maz
Post Number: 393
Registered: 07-2003
Posted From: 12.173.222.115
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 05:36 pm: |
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Anti-social brewer here. I've brewed for 15 yrs and never once had anyone else around, save for the kids. I agree that it would likely result in 4-5 hrs of drinking & sampling, followed by the heated discussion "are these 2nd degree or 3rd degree burns?" and the inevitable trip to the emergency room. I've thought many times about joining a local club, but in the end I realize that I just like to brew alone. There's something religious about mashing-in at 6am in the cold garage and getting some "me" time.
Over the 15 years I've had lulls where I lose some interest, but agree that things like these message boards get me excited again and bring me back. When my first daughter was born in 2000 I went the next two years only brewing four times. I basically lost interest. Then one day I logged onto B&V's, and the obsession started all over again. When my 2nd was born in 2003, I made sure to not let it slow me down much.
I've also had "Going to Montana" in my head for the past two or three days. Thank you B&V! |
Marc Rehfuss
Member
Username: Marc_rehfuss
Post Number: 135
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 199.133.212.53
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 06:21 pm: |
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+1 to Skotrat. Therapy, indeed.
I've brewing for 10 years, so maybe I haven't hit that lull in interest yet. I mean, I haven't even brewed a pilsner yet! Seriously. Got my bocks down, though. There are too many styles and not enough time to perfect them. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6850
Registered: 03-2004
Posted From: 74.83.191.159
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 06:21 pm: |
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I prefer to brew alone. Not that I don't enjoy good company. I seem to enjoy it too much and make mistakes. I don't fine brewing instinctive like riding a bike. I need to pay attention. |
Denny Conn
Senior Member
Username: Denny
Post Number: 7294
Registered: 01-2001
Posted From: 75.145.77.185
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 06:31 pm: |
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I agree with Chumley and Dan.....I generally prefer brewing alone. I feel like the downtime in brewing is wasted if I don't get some housework done, and when I brew with others I start drinking and screwing up. I host 2 group brewing sessions a year at Big Brew and Teach Day, but on those days I pretty much just write off the beer and figure I'll take what I get. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6851
Registered: 03-2004
Posted From: 74.83.191.159
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 06:59 pm: |
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I prefer to brew alone. Not that I don't enjoy good company. I seem to enjoy it too much and make mistakes. I don't fine brewing instinctive like riding a bike. I need to pay attention.
However, on second thought, I might be confusing the two barrel batches with five gallon ones. Lately I have been doing demo batches and prototype five gallon batches and they have gone well with lots of company - and beer.
The last time I brewed with someone on the big system, it was with Peter Roman and I doubled the amount of sugar I was supposed to use. |
Paul Hayslett
Senior Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 2296
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 128.36.170.8
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 07:12 pm: |
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You guys miss my point. Whether or not you brew alone, you all come back here (or to tastybrew or the Rat Chat) to yak about it. As Pete said, it was a trip back here that reignited the obsession.
Anyway, I won't belabor the point. I have cycled in an out of a number of hobbies myself, sometimes coming back to ones I've done in the past. And I take 3 - 4 months off from brewing every summer (reason: I don't like the heat). Sometimes it is the mix that keeps each bit interesting. |
Denny Conn
Senior Member
Username: Denny
Post Number: 7296
Registered: 01-2001
Posted From: 75.145.77.185
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 07:22 pm: |
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Yeah, in that respect you're right on, Paul. As an example, a new AHA website is getting ready to open and I've been setting up a discussion forum for it. A prime concern is creating a sense of community there. |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Advanced Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 802
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 209.252.39.59
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 07:40 pm: |
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If I brew with somebody, I make a detailed check list, otherwise I tend to screw something up. If it's just me, having the recipe written down is enough. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 10876
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.141.103.148
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 08:08 pm: |
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I typically brew alone. As Dan says, it allows me to concentrate on the task at hand. And I agree with Pete and Scott there is something almost religious and therapeutic about the solitude.
But Paul and Denny have it right about the social aspects of sharing the results of my efforts, and of the sociability of homebrewers themselves. I can't think of another group of people where the common ground and the willingness to share are more natural.
The combination of solitude and sociability plays to both aspects of my personality. That, and the intertwining of art and science to create the fruits of my own labor, is what has kept me brewing for 15 years now. |
Chumley
Senior Member
Username: Chumley
Post Number: 5966
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 63.118.227.254
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 08:28 pm: |
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A new AHA discussion forum! Can we call Charlie names?
 |
dhacker
Senior Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 1842
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 98.66.33.82
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 08:49 pm: |
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I've been brewing about 9 years . . took some time away to perfect my pyro knowledge, and when that was accomplished, came back to brewing. I've had a lot of hobbies, but this one is the most satisfying AND relaxing. I'm pretty laid back in my technique, but want to do it right and always seek to make a better beer next time. Paul's right . . social interaction is definitely at play in a person's continued interest in something. I like this forum and plan on being here as long as it lasts. I wish someday we could all meet face to face and share a brew, but life probably will never allow that to take place.
Bill, you wax poetic in your post . . time to write a song . .  |
Denny Conn
Senior Member
Username: Denny
Post Number: 7298
Registered: 01-2001
Posted From: 75.106.192.37
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 09:40 pm: |
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Sure, Chumley, as long as they're godlike names! ;) |
tim roth
Advanced Member
Username: Hopdude
Post Number: 757
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 173.22.56.157
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 10:14 pm: |
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Why some stop brewing?
Life gets in the way sometimes would be the main reason.
To me it's just CRAZY TALK!
I love brewing. I'm ok with bottling.
I've had the pleasure to meet so many great people because of this hobby.
Had many a pro brewer throw me a few bones on techniques and ideas, not to mention recipes.
Met 2 of my best friends on this very forum.
I'm thinking....even if I would ever...not gonna happen...quit drinking, I would STILL brew.
cheers,tim |
Chumley
Senior Member
Username: Chumley
Post Number: 5967
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 63.118.227.254
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 11:24 pm: |
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Those are some remarkable words of wisdom from a man who managed to transform a BERRY WEISS CLONE into a delicious refreshing beverage......
.......sorry, Tim, I won't be calling that a beer......
cheers,chumley |
Patrick C.
Advanced Member
Username: Patrickc
Post Number: 932
Registered: 01-2001
Posted From: 72.37.171.84
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 11:25 pm: |
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Denny, do you already have several thousand posts on the new board too?
I've brewed with my brother in law a couple of times, went to a club big brew once, and the kids like to "help", but for the most part I brew alone. I'd like to go to club meetings, but they are all an hour or more away and I just haven't made the time to do it. |
tim roth
Advanced Member
Username: Hopdude
Post Number: 758
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 173.22.56.157
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 11:39 pm: |
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Heya Chumley!
I just tried to send you an email but it bounced back.
Thanks on the berry weiss comment man.
Did you try the jalapeno wheat yet?
Just bottled this year's batch today!
cheers,tim |
Bob Boufford
Intermediate Member
Username: Bobb
Post Number: 447
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 68.150.62.67
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 12:37 am: |
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It's definitely about the community around brewing that keeps one going, even if one "brews alone".
My friend and I are in e-learning (on-line learning) at a university. All the online courses that fail or do poorly are usually because the instructor or facilitator failed to get a "community" going within the course. The most vibrant courses also have a very strong community of students sharing in the learning.
I can see some definite similarities with brewing. It's the communities we build either at club meetings or here online in HBD and other forums that keeps many of us going in the hobby.
Cheers, Bob |
ChriSto
Advanced Member
Username: Christo
Post Number: 608
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 216.176.226.154
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 12:11 pm: |
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Well, I'm on a brewing hiatus at present, due to an ongoing master bath project which should have me tied up on weekends thru t-giving (I hope no longer), our annual club competition that I am Head Judge, and a weekend work-related workshop. Mondays are scouts w/ my son, Tuesdays are my cook night as my wife picks up the kids from other activities, Wednesdays (twice a month) are club duties (mtg or teaching a BJCP class). . . . Wait! I have Thursdays to brew! Uh, no, leaving out of town tonight and next week is the company thing.
Ah well, I'll be back to it soon. Too many styles to brew yet (13 to go). |
Denny Conn
Senior Member
Username: Denny
Post Number: 7300
Registered: 01-2001
Posted From: 67.139.233.130
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 05:09 pm: |
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Patrick, only about a dozen or so, but that's not too bad considering it isn't open yet! |
Michael
Advanced Member
Username: Hoppop
Post Number: 991
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 24.74.164.235
| | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 09:42 pm: |
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My two cents to the original question....
Brewing is more than a hobby, or a process, or the result (good beer). For me, it is a way to reach back several hundred years to something that was honorable, common, and consistent. To know that I am grabbing a thread that has been held by poets, monks, despots, presidents, and the common man over the years.....that is very cool.
Also, as others have commented, the world is crazy and spins faster and faster. To be able to set aside four hours, take water....grain.....hops....yeast...and, produce something that others have done for centuries....very cool.
In this day of 24x7 news, tweets, and expectations from work.....it is my therapy as well. A way to "craft" something from beginning to end and connect with the past. For me, it a way to get grounded from all of the sometimes insanity in life.
(Did this sound like a Ken Burns intro?).
Hey, I will keep brewing to keep living....
Cheers. |
Brad Petit
Intermediate Member
Username: Voodoobrew
Post Number: 372
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 68.154.158.212
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 07:20 pm: |
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Marc is right -- there's so much exploration and experimenting to do, this hobby can keep you busy and interested for a lifetime.
Add to this the fact, as has been confirmed here, that the homebrew community consists of a genial and sociable lot, and there are plenty of reasons to stick around.
Since I first started brewing 8-plus years ago, I went through a couple slow periods and dry spells earlier on, mostly caused by moving, lack of space, thrift, other unavoidable circumstances etc., but for the past several years, having had the time, space and means to brew continuously, I have felt no urge to stop. If my fermentation fridge sits empty for a week or two, or if I have vacant draft slots, I'm usually not too happy about it. And as I continue to experiment with new styles and new recipes, on those occasions when a beer doesn't turn out just perfect, I'm all the more motivated to get right back at it. |
Brewzz
Advanced Member
Username: Brewzz
Post Number: 737
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 67.11.214.140
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 01:31 am: |
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Well,for me,I just moved into a new house.I just got done re-setting up my brewery today.I really want to brew now,in my new surroundings.I've got everything I need to brew 10 gal.of whatever,but am still unpacking.Hopefully I can do it in the next 2 weeks.That is,if I can stay away from my new fishing access on the Guadalupe River.
Cheers,Brewzz  |
Nathan Eddy
Intermediate Member
Username: Nathan_eddy
Post Number: 266
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 74.131.24.147
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 02:32 am: |
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Chumley: My favorite part about brewing (after the drinking, of course), is the recipe formulation....how can I make that next pint a bit better. Kind of like the pursuit of the perfect pot of chili (another favorite past time of mine).
On that note . . . I recently started throwing my hamburger, peppers (at least 4 kinds), onions, tomatoes, garlic cloves into the smoker for a couple hours while I let the base chili mix simmer with the beans on the stove, then chop up the smoked veggies in a food processor and add that, too. Smoked chili is a thing of wonder.
I've been thinking about smoking my own malts, too. |
Brewzz
Advanced Member
Username: Brewzz
Post Number: 738
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 67.11.214.140
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 12:19 am: |
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In Texas,there are NO Beans,in Chili |
dhacker
Senior Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 1848
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 98.66.33.82
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 12:55 am: |
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Nice lookin' digs there Brewzz.
Roof's got more lines than Whitney Houston's coffee table.. |
Brewzz
Advanced Member
Username: Brewzz
Post Number: 739
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 67.11.214.140
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 03:41 am: |
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Thanks hack.Yeah,I wouldn't want to go up there.Got a nice new brewing area though.
Door on the left... |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Advanced Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 806
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 98.212.3.11
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 01:46 pm: |
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My buddy Russ has two young kids and still finds time to brew. Check this photo of the wife and kid helping him out:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dH3Lwg9Gc1Y/SuuvpL9Xb0I/AAAAAAAAAng/qu5snHJlXks/s1600- h/leahbrew.jpg
The photo is from his blog, which is a pretty good homebrewing blog:
http://chibebrau.blogspot.com/ |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 10892
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.141.103.148
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 02:14 pm: |
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My first exposure to homebrewing was two friends who brewed a barely drinkable pale ale from a kit way back in 1971. After sampling their brew, the father of one of them said, "I believe your horse has diabetes." I kick myself repeatedly for waiting 23 years before taking up homebrewing myself.
Despite the lack of knowledge and good ingredients, one of my friends continued brewing for several years, going so far as to roast his own malt for stouts and porters. Marriage, a series of moves and three children caused him to give it up. However, as empty nesters, today he and his wife have a very successful chocolate making business that he credits to his brewing instincts and the lack of fear to try something new. |
Marc Rehfuss
Member
Username: Marc_rehfuss
Post Number: 136
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 76.253.94.140
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 03:53 pm: |
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"I believe your horse has diabetes."
I'm going to use that line one day. However, it seems that with the proliferation of sound brewing info on the net as well as homebrew clubs, not many people brew beer that bad anymore. That, or people are taking better care of their horses. |
Pat Babcock
Moderator
Username: Pbabcock
Post Number: 229
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 136.1.1.154
| | Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 01:33 am: |
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I've been thinking about smoking my own malts, too
I tried that once. They kept falling out of the papers and popped as they burned. Stick with tobacco.}
Pat Babcock
HBD Chief of Janitorial Services
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Pat Babcock
Moderator
Username: Pbabcock
Post Number: 230
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 136.1.1.154
| | Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 01:45 am: |
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I haven't brewed a batch since 2000. Still have the equipment, occasionally have the desire, but rarely have the time anymore.
To Skotrat's point, I'd say that my fifth kid caused me to stop, but she didn't come along 'til '03. Just the pace of life. Sometimes you contain it, sometimes you don't - but when you don't, something has to give. I've had many long, dry spells in the past as well. Most of us who "drop out", but have/had a serious approach to the craft wander back after time- that's why we don't sell our gear (though quite a bit of mine has been on loan to Crispy for quite some time now...). Brewing is our obsession, and I, personally, am way late for therapy...
Pat Babcock
HBD Chief of Janitorial Services
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davidwaite
Senior Member
Username: Davidw
Post Number: 2035
Registered: 03-2001
Posted From: 173.21.10.149
| | Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 02:35 am: |
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Finding time to drink some good beer now and again, I hope, Pat? |
Pat Babcock
Moderator
Username: Pbabcock
Post Number: 231
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 136.1.1.154
| | Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 07:44 am: |
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Definitely that - though I have to admit to a particular penchant for Guinness....
Pat Babcock
HBD Chief of Janitorial Services
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Bob Wall
Senior Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 2870
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 98.192.7.62
| | Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 04:55 pm: |
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Pat, I too took a hiatus when my boys were toddlers. but after we moved from WI to GA 12 years ago, I got back into brewing. Things had settled down, we got into the routine of our new environment, and I went back to work after being a Mr. Mom. I found myself missing something. Being in a new state 900 miles from all my old friends & my family, I needed something to do. Homebrewing was the answer for me. In Wisconsin, I would do stovetop batches at my bachelor friend's house, but convincing the wife to let me brew in the kitchen of our brand-new house was a daunting task. After about a half-dozen stove-top batches, the wife was in compliance with my visions of an all-grain outdoor system Once I got into 10 gallon all-grain batches, it was like "where have you been all my life?"
I found my equilibrium is between 8 to 10 batches a year. That is roughly one brew session a month, sometimes two, sometimes none. I have made goals to brew once a month every month for a year, but have yet to meet it. My wife has also come to grips with all the extra-curricular brewing events I like to go to such as monthly club meetings, competitions, cask ale tastings, etc... Sometimes, my brewing caused friction, but my wife realized I was happier when I was brewing on a regular basis.
For me, brewing is definitely therapeutic. |
davidwaite
Senior Member
Username: Davidw
Post Number: 2036
Registered: 03-2001
Posted From: 173.21.10.149
| | Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 06:33 am: |
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Indeed. |
davidwaite
Senior Member
Username: Davidw
Post Number: 2037
Registered: 03-2001
Posted From: 173.21.10.149
| | Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 06:36 am: |
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And, Guinness is still one of the finest of session beers to me, not to mention readily available. I'll take it over many beers, any day. |
Beernardo
Junior Member
Username: Beernardo
Post Number: 56
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 68.82.148.207
| | Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 03:16 pm: |
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Well, I haven't brewed much over the past couple of years. For me, it's because brewing right now is just too much work.
I'm a teacher at a high school,and I bring home anywhere from 8-12 hours of work every weekend (I teach an honors philosophy course that requires a ton of grading and re-adjustment in planning). On top of that, our house is in terrible shape - I'm currently skim-coating the walls and caulking and painting the entire upstairs. Then, I have to finish water-proofing the basement. Next spring I have to re-grade the yard, since it's currently about as smooth as the moon after demolishing a two-car garage, removing several old trees and stumps, and just years of neglect from the previous owner.
We have a baby on the way, and I study and train kung fu.
When I have a free day, that last thing I can imagine doing right now is wrestling the brewery out of the basement into our as-yet-unpaved driveway and spending 8 hours brewing. I sleep.
So yeah, time is a problem. |
mark taylor
Intermediate Member
Username: Marktaylo
Post Number: 316
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 99.56.138.191
| | Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 10:29 pm: |
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I would have to agree that continuing has a lot to do with involvement in the social/community aspects of the hobby. I considered this in a post on my blog awhile back
http://backyardbrewer.blogspot.com/search/label/Homebrew%20clubs
but didn't relate it specifically to the hobby longevity but it surely applies. I guess I need to go update the list or reasons for joining a homebrew community.
mark
www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com
www.thebackyardbrewer.com |
Micah Tober
New Member
Username: Micah
Post Number: 14
Registered: 08-2008
Posted From: 72.47.136.131
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - 06:48 am: |
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I also must agree with Skot that brewing is indeed a form of therapy. I find myself brewing solo most of the time, my oldest son has been assistant brewer, as well as my brother, but usually it is me. And that is a good thing. A grin is on my face, my head is stuck into the mash tun breathing deeply, or the kettle while trying not to get to hot of a blast of steam while I am breathing in those wonderful smells. Funny how my wife doesn't seem to like the smell like I do....I had an unwanted sabatical from brewing due to moving, remodeling a house and moving again. But now I am back into it and loving it. I really look forward to the days when I can plan for and then dive into the brewing process. And when I have a problem, then it's not so much a problem as a challenge. Makes me think I am in the wrong line of work. So why do people give up brewing? Cause their hearts not in it. It is elsewhere. That's ok, but I know where mine is. I see a Marzen in my future....Brew On! |
Zymie
Junior Member
Username: Zymie
Post Number: 94
Registered: 10-2001
Posted From: 65.169.176.254
| | Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 06:06 pm: |
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We all have choices to make in life.
I started brewing in the early 90's. Don't remember exactly when, but I knew I was hooked. My wife was in school and I had a lot of free time. I stumbled upon the HBD, the Brew-Rat-Chat, and was off to the races.
When my wife got out of school and started working my available budget was increased, which led to brewing and tinkering at the same time. I was spending half of my time working on my system and the other half brewing on it. I couldn't get enough of it.
I came up with a couple of gadgets while I was tinkering with my system. Somehow I ended up starting a business selling this stuff to other homebrewers.
We had our first kid. The business started expanding. I had no free time. I went on a brewing "hiatus". I was still connected to brewing via the products I personally touched that others used to actually brew, although the time spent with this business took away any time I would have had to brew.
We had another kid. We went through unexpected passing of family members. We went through slow agonizing passing of family members. I kept pumping out hardware. I had no time to brew.
Some of my best customers became my worst nightmare. Complete theft of my ideas with not so much as a reach-around. I still had my product reputation and faithful customers. I had no time to brew.
I've pulled the plug. Its over, the others have won.
Hopefully soon the hiatus is over.
Wayne Holder AKA Zymie
http://www.zymico.com
(Message edited by zymie on November 13, 2009) |
Hophead
Senior Member
Username: Hophead
Post Number: 2883
Registered: 03-2002
Posted From: 167.4.1.41
| | Posted on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 06:18 pm: |
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Brew on Zymie! Good to hear from you again.
Bazooka screen rocks.
Brewing seems to come in cycles for me. I tend to get really hooked on it, brewing every coupla weeks, and then my freezers and fridges get full and I stop. Repeat.
I try to be full up by summertime, as cooling wort in cfc with ~90 degree tap water (phoenix) is a challenge. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 10922
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.141.103.148
| | Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 12:19 am: |
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Homebrewers such as Zymie were a big influence on me when I was becoming active in the mid '90s. My hat's off to you. We'd love to have you back among us. |
Beernardo
Junior Member
Username: Beernardo
Post Number: 57
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 68.82.148.207
| | Posted on Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 03:10 pm: |
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Wait... are you saying there's no more Zymico?!?!?!
That sucks. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 10924
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.141.103.148
| | Posted on Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 04:49 pm: |
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It's an old story. Someone comes up with an idea, creates a product and decides to sell it. It fills a market niche and becomes a modest success. Someone else takes a look at the product, decides they can do it more cheaply, and contracts to produce it offshore. The market is price-driven and gravitates to the cheaper source. The original creator of the idea is left out in the cold.
I guess I don't believe in happy endings. Capitalism isn't pretty. This is the dark side of what the late Brewer with Thick Wallet meant when he said, "You pays your money and you takes your choice. Is this a great country or what?!"
(Message edited by BillPierce on November 15, 2009) |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Advanced Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 821
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 98.212.3.11
| | Posted on Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 04:53 pm: |
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Bill, that's why we have patent law. |
dhacker
Senior Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 1859
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 98.66.33.82
| | Posted on Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 06:19 pm: |
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Agreed . . and necessity drives invention. To think you can develop something for market and that no one else will ever try to emulate it is silly and foolhardy. Then to be bitter over a scenario that has happened thousands, if not millions of times in the past is a totally counterproductive posture. I’d keep developing innovative items and stay ahead of the curve rather than try to live in a status quo world bemoaning my lot in life . . |
ELK
Senior Member
Username: Elkski
Post Number: 1907
Registered: 01-2003
Posted From: 67.166.127.127
| | Posted on Sunday, November 15, 2009 - 06:47 pm: |
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I think that term describes me the best "Serial hobbyist". I haven't brewed in almost 3 years. I have been drinking mostly IPA's and I can buy a couple good ones for about 1.35-1.64$ a bottle so I have been relatively happy. "Hazed and infused" by the boulder beer co. and now we have
hop Rising 9% ABV locally for 1.35$. These satisfy my IPA cravings. I would like to brew some SSOS and compare but from memory they are not to far off. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 10925
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.141.103.148
| | Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 01:42 am: |
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I understand about the dilemma innovators face. I've always been a believer that knowledge and information should be free and available to everyone. But I've also been accused of being naive, and I've never tried to base a business on an invention or idea. I am a published author who has never worried about the notion of copyright. Perhaps it's my loss and perhaps not; who's to say? |
Paul Hayslett
Senior Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 2307
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 71.234.45.166
| | Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 02:52 am: |
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I, for one, will miss Zymico. Not because I can't put together my own bulkhead fitting. I did that once. And not just because I think it saved me money in the long run to buy a true Zymico fitting the second time around rather than standing, bewildered, in the plumbing aisle, trying to find straight threaded nipples among the NPTs. It's because Zymie gave me awesome customer service when I needed it. That is something you probably won't get from the cheaper alternatives. I am loyal to vendors who are good to me, so I told everyone who would listen about Zymie's customer service. I hope I swung at least a few sales in his direction.
Good luck with your next adventure, Zymie, whatever it turns out to be. And welcome back to the brewing fold.
Back to topic: I brewed today. All I had time for was a no-boil Berliner Weisse. I worked 11 hours yesterday, before and after going to dinner with friends, caught 4 hours sleep, helped my dad with some stuff this morning before going to church where I was in charge of coffee hour and cleanup (without my wife, who was out of town), then raced back to meet my buddies for a quick brew session before picking my son up at work and going grocery shopping. It would have been easy to say, "Geez, what a weekend. I think I'll brew next week." But that would mean letting my friends down. Yet again, it was the social connection which kept me in the game. |
Dan Listermann
Senior Member
Username: Listermann
Post Number: 6870
Registered: 03-2004
Posted From: 75.218.73.241
| | Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 03:00 am: |
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You have to look at patents as an investment, that needs defending, or you could have a $5000 wall decoration. |
Tom Meier
Advanced Member
Username: Brewdawg96
Post Number: 928
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 207.98.189.111
| | Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 05:08 am: |
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People have been making bulkhead fittings with locknuts long before organized homebrewing.. To patent a locknut used for getting a seal is like putting a patent on using a braided hose to make a mash tun.. Or a patent on bending a tube to make a racking cane.. It would just be silly.
In the end you have to rely on brand recognition to make money, but once there is a mature market for any product the low cost supplier wins. At that point it is just a commodity. |
Drew Pattison
Member
Username: Droopy
Post Number: 197
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 143.115.159.53
| | Posted on Monday, November 16, 2009 - 09:59 pm: |
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I now brew about once a year. Just so happens that time of year was yesterday for 2009. I brewed an IPA with a genuine Bazooka in my converted keg. It was also a 5 gal extract batch (gasp!)
For me, and I used to brew about a dozen 10 gal all-grain batches per year, it is more about the cleaning. The chore of maintaining the tun, kettle, kegs, fridge lines, etc started to outweigh the pleasure of drinking personally crafted beer. It's a hobby afterall, I stopped enjoying it as much. I still do it and enjoy it, but found that cleaning a chiller and a kettle is about once a year is plenty. |
Micah Tober
New Member
Username: Micah
Post Number: 15
Registered: 08-2008
Posted From: 72.47.136.131
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 01:17 am: |
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This is an interesting thread, bringing out the diverse views of many...the fact that you can take barley, water, hops and yeast and make an elixir(I know, "Brewers make the wort, yeast makes the beer") is a creative endeavor that feeds us all in one way or another, I think. It's like building something and being able to stand back and look at it and say "I did that", my effort did that. I would brew once a week if not more if I could, but we are all to busy with life for that to happen unless you're fortunate enough to do this regularly and make money at it too. But then that's not why we're in it. Well, perhaps not most of us. |
Mike Vachow
Member
Username: Mike
Post Number: 167
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 64.149.215.1
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 01:26 am: |
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Like Drew, I once brewed about a dozen 10 gallon batches a year and had many happy neighbors, but career climbing has knocked that figure in half. Brewing for occasions cues me more often than not these days. People really appreciate homemade things, an increasing rarity in our times, and they appreciate the time and care you put into the effort. Even more, they are pleasantly surprised when they discover their expectations for homeliness defeated.
If you supervise others in whatever you do, bring a well-crafted, crowd-pleasing homebrewed beer (bad idea to lead with a dunkelweizen rauchbier), with a clever, inside-the-company-joke name to the next company picnic or holiday party, and you'll put a ton of good will in the bank with your colleagues. |
Jim DeShields
Member
Username: Niquejim
Post Number: 169
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 67.233.3.31
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 08:18 pm: |
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For me the reason is the 45lbs I've gained in the last 3 1/2 years. So I'm taking a break until I lose the weight and get on a steady exercise program....then I' ll resume slowly |
Brian sparks
New Member
Username: Sparhawk
Post Number: 13
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 98.196.248.117
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 06:59 pm: |
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Work, kids, moved to new house, etc. Just too busy. I might have brewed 10 gallons over the last 10 years. But, I still would lurk here here a few times a month, and stayed interested, and kept all my brewing equipment, despite moving it all 1300 miles.
Here in the last 3 months I have brewed 5-5 gal batches and 2-10 gal batches. Also set up a 6 tap chest freezer converted kegerator. |
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