Here are a few observations gleaned from my young homebrewing career that have changed my perspective on beer.
1. It is not easy to make good beer
Most of the homebrewing books I read return to the mantra over and over that brewing might seem challenging, but it is essentially simple. In the grand scale of creative industries, brewing may well be "simple" in that it involves a few basic processes and chemical reactions, but it is still bloody tough to get right. I now feel like a douchebag for reviewing beers as "pedestrian" or "unremarkable" when I'd now consider either term to be an accolade if applied to my own offerings.
2. Someone makes beer
Well, duh. Lots of beer bloggers (me included) know personally some of the brewers behind commercial beers. But when we buy their stuff in a pub or a liquor store, it has the nice label and it's all standardized and we feel the authoritative reassurance of the brewery when we confidently pop the cap and suck. When a fellow homebrewer hands me a beer, I furtively look him over. Is he basically trustworthy? Does he look hygienic? Is she someone whose judgment and ability to do stuff properly in her general life impresses me? My first sips of that person's beer are full of trepidation and concern. I sense myself preparing to reject the beer as unacceptable at the merest hint of an off flavour — far more so, bizarrely, than if they had just made me a sandwich.
3. Drinking sessions have become episodes of CSI
Two months ago I had but the vaguest idea of what DMS, acetaldehyde, or oxidation were. I now know that those charming, mysterious notes that wafted in and out of my palate as I supped a complex beer are faults that must be remedied and resisted. Likewise, even the most desirable of intended flavours must be explained by my inquisitive mind as some product of ingredient, process or equipment. This is so much better than being able to sit and merely enjoy a beer…
I am enjoying brewing very much. I'm into my third batch now and things have come a long way since I ineptly fumbled my way through brewing a stout (which was just bottled at a ridiculously undershot 2% ABV!). Brewing is something I will be doing for a long time, I am sure of that. But I will say this: I had no idea of what I was letting myself in for.
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Just one piece of advice - don't listen too much to other people's opinions about your beer. I made the terrible mistake of going to one of the homebrewer's nights they used to host at the Local Taphouse here in Melbourne, and it was soul-destroying! I was cornered by one bloke (who, incidentally, DIDN'T bring any of his own product) who was so brutally honest (to the point of sadism, I thought) that it took me 6 months to bring myself to brew once again. The curious thing I found about the night was yes, there were a couple of OUTSTANDING beers that other people brought, and my own efforts were more than equal to most of the other brews, but there had been a theme for the evening (Pale Ale) that was not previously advertised on their website, and I was the only one - strangely - who hadn't known about it. No criticism of the Local, mind you (outstanding pub!), but I did find that the night smacked of wine-tasting 'tude, and that, for me, is not what homebrewing is about.
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck, good sir, with your efforts.
Like the post Dan, and glad you're on board for the obsessive hobby of homebrewing.
ReplyDeleteI like the advice Koops, and I remember the Local from when I lived in Melbourne, thats a great place for sure.
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Well put, Dan! Hope I can brew on it with you, someday.
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