Relax and have a homebrew

[GregJ]

I brewed for a couple of years and decided to hang it up for a while about 7 years ago. My son was becoming a teenager and we always have kids around. Nothing like beer on tap for a large group of teenage boys..... So from a security standpoint I decided to table it for a while. Now my son's in college. I guess the same situation applies today..... Nothing like beer on tap around a bunch of college kids..... So, maybe after retirement I'll take it up again. When I was brewing, I really enjoyed variety. I kegged in 5 gallon batches. That was very convenient. I kept the kegs in the "beerigerator" that was plumbed with a tap, not too far away from the couch and the dining room table. As I said, I really enjoyed the variety and experimenting. I never really followed recipes after I got started. I just used the grains and yeast cultures I happened to have at the time. Probably my biggest surprise was a dark lager that I brewed. I had no idea what I was doing, but I believe it would be classified a dunkel style. It was amazingly light and crisp for a dark beer. Lots of fun. I do miss it, but I also feel that we are role models for our kids and it's important to be responsible. I grew up with an alcoholic father, so I am a little sensitive about being responsible. I do enjoy my beer, and I want my son to do the same, without it affecting his life in an adverse way as it did with my father.

Greg

 

[B7500]

Kip,
I'm not much of a beer drinker although after a day in the hot sun on the tractor a cold one does hit the spot.
My wife and I LOVE wine however. We've been brewing our own for about three years. We got her sister and brother in law into it also. It's fun, cheap and makes for great Christmas gifts.
-Terry

 

[Molerj]

Man you guys are making me thirsty. I made beer once from a kit. Did it the easy way. Still make the wine, but do it the easy way too, buy the 6 gallon pails of juice & use the glass carboys. I used to help my grandfather years ago. Usually made some Concord from the grapes he had at home. He bought the other grapes, zinfandel & muscat. Everything stayed in the old whiskey barrels in the cellar. Great memories.