ktm250
Well-Known Member
Admittedly, I don't post a lot. Additionally, I'm not an every month brewer and my visits to this forum wax and wane in proportion to my brewing regularity.
That being said, I have been brewing for the better part of two decades and started out where many of us have - with some extract, a couple of plastic buckets and some old bottles.
Recently, I have had more time (and a few more buddies get interested in the hobby) to brew and thus have been visiting the forum on a more regular basis, after a lapse of a few years. The "Beer should be simple" thread and the "Are most homebrewers also engineers" thread made me reflect.
One thing I have noticed is a definite trend (since my last regular visits) towards cutting as much time out of the beer making process as possible (almost eliminating it). 1/2 hour boils, full automation, intricate electrical setups, way more BIAB proponents.
So my question of ye, fellow homebrewers - do you enjoy the process of making beer? The smells, time, sights, and experience. Or is it about the pursuit of time? The equipment and making it as sophisticated a possible? Tinkering with electronics? Perfect beer at all costs?
For me it has always been about the process and the experience. I enjoy the time with friends, smelling the malt, mash and wort. Watching the steam wind its pale tendrils into the sky. Watching the way the wort twists and rolls and roils in the kettle. I like the way spending half a day on the process forces me to slow down. My 4 kids are outside with me, coming back to check the process, add hops, etc. I can enjoy a good smoke in my old pipe. My beer is good and, more importantly, others around me enjoy it as we take time out of our busy lives to socialize around a process that is as old as civilization.
That being said, I have been brewing for the better part of two decades and started out where many of us have - with some extract, a couple of plastic buckets and some old bottles.
Recently, I have had more time (and a few more buddies get interested in the hobby) to brew and thus have been visiting the forum on a more regular basis, after a lapse of a few years. The "Beer should be simple" thread and the "Are most homebrewers also engineers" thread made me reflect.
One thing I have noticed is a definite trend (since my last regular visits) towards cutting as much time out of the beer making process as possible (almost eliminating it). 1/2 hour boils, full automation, intricate electrical setups, way more BIAB proponents.
So my question of ye, fellow homebrewers - do you enjoy the process of making beer? The smells, time, sights, and experience. Or is it about the pursuit of time? The equipment and making it as sophisticated a possible? Tinkering with electronics? Perfect beer at all costs?
For me it has always been about the process and the experience. I enjoy the time with friends, smelling the malt, mash and wort. Watching the steam wind its pale tendrils into the sky. Watching the way the wort twists and rolls and roils in the kettle. I like the way spending half a day on the process forces me to slow down. My 4 kids are outside with me, coming back to check the process, add hops, etc. I can enjoy a good smoke in my old pipe. My beer is good and, more importantly, others around me enjoy it as we take time out of our busy lives to socialize around a process that is as old as civilization.