Origins

I’ve never made a good beer.

Maybe I’ve made one good beer.

I won’t know for another week and a half. It’s carbonating in my basement.

I’ve home brewed about 10 times and ask more experienced brewers questions like “how many batches did it take for you to make a beer you liked?” and “Did you ever make a beer that was bitter as fuck?” -- And sadly, I am an anomaly. The answers are “1” and “no”.

I’m smarter than the average person and, even so, I’ve made too many basic brewing mistakes to count. Mistakes like putting all of my hops in at the start of the boil, spilling DME all over the kitchen and trying to give it a go with what was left, pouring beer from the carboy into a bottling bucket to save some time -- this is all to say -- those people are liars. It’s too easy to make a batch destroying mistake for me to be an anomaly.

So what is this place and why does it exist? I’m so glad you asked.

Beer culture is one of my favorite things in the world; and not in the fat guy living in my mom’s basement kind of way. I don’t go to brewery anniversaries. I don’t wait in line for whale releases. I don't have an untapped login (that I know of). It resonates with me because of seeing people like me build something from nothing, clever business models that change communities, industry camaraderie, and unforgetable beers amongst friends (especially when accompanied by amazing can designs).

Also, learning how to make beer is fun, really fun. Even when you suck. Which I do. But in a week and a half I may change my tune.

I’m figuring this shit out. I’m not an expert and I’m tired of everybody being an expert. So if you’re the same as me, come here and watch me figure out how fermentation works. It’ll be fun, I promise.