2014 homebrew plans - why now?

I make it no secret that I'm a bit of a beer geek so whenever I tell someone that I don't brew my own beer, they're always surprised. This isn't just the rest of my fellow geeks but just friends and family who have no interest in beer. They ask me why not, and I've made so many pathetic excuses. I've said I don't have the space, when I know full well that all you need is a kitchen. I've said I don't have the time, which is bullshit of course as I have a fair bit of time. I guess the most realistic excuse I've used is that I can't be bothered, because I couldn't.

Towards the end of 2012, I started seriously thinking about it and then forgot because I got pissed. Several times. I then started thinking about it again, and gave up again.

This time, however, I am going to do it. I'm going to homebrew, and here's why:

1) I like beer - It's a simply enough reason. That's the main reason anyway. I like beer so why shouldn't I make it?

2) Money - Maybe this isn't a strong enough reason as it would have been last year, but still, it'll cut down my spending on beer (well, I already have anyway). Brewing 20 bottles of a decent IPA is going to be far cheaper than buying 20 bottles of a decent IPA so I will end up saving money if I'm only drinking homebrew at home.

3) Lack of a decent local bottle shop - I can no longer be bothered to order online as nowhere ever seems to have the beers I want when I have the money to get them and frequently find myself ordering a load of crap just for the hell of it (read: ticking purposes), so why not make the beers I want myself?

4) The thought process - I'm done with thinking about beer from a craft wanker politics point of view. I'd rather spend my beery energy thinking about the process and what I'm going to make next, as well as how I'm going to better my brewing skills.

5) Fun - I've heard brewing is fun. Hard work, but fun. I'm willing to put in the hard work to get a decent product out of it in the end.

So that's it, they're basically my reasons why I'm going to start homebrewing. I won't be able to get all of the equipment together for a few months as I have big plans with both my birthday and Emily's birthday coming up in June & July respectively, but I will be doing it. I just wanted to get some thoughts down.

I'll also be blogging about my exploits... my joys, my woes, and my drunkenness.

Cheers.

Nate

Comments

  1. Hi Nate. We used to brew in a 1-bed flat, 5 gallons at a time. Best beer I ever made was a barley wine, split across two 1-gallon demijohns. Brewing 1-gallon batches gives a lot of control over the process, and reduces chances of spoiling when it's fermented like wine under an airlock. Just my 2 pence worth. Good luck with the brewing. Cheers, Mark T

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers. 1 Gallon was literally all I was planning on doing, because it's about 5 litres, making 10x500ml bottle or whatever.

      Delete
  2. I’m pleased to see that you plan to indulge in the joys of homebrewing. There’s nothing better and more satisfying than producing a beer to your exact specifications.

    The 4 most important tips I can give you about home brewing are:
    1/ Sanitation (everything must be bug free post boil)
    2/ Fermentation temperature (keep within recommended yeast ferment temps)
    3/ Yeast pitching rate (use correct amount to ferment fully and avoid off-flavours)

    If you’re interested why not pop and see us at the Norwich Brewing Club meeting next Monday 19th May 7:30pm at the Ribs of Beef (downstairs in the Wherry Room). One of us will be talking about German beers & beer styles and conducting a tasting. We can’t promise beats and we don’t bite but there will be booze!
    Mark C

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anyone can knock up beer. Knock up some Reggie Perrin pea pod wine, then I'm impressed.

    ReplyDelete

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