Who can brew beer at home

[Aaron Rennie]

So, I have a bit of a random question that I think I already know the answer to. Are there certain people whom it it acceptable to brew beer at home?

context to this question is that I am professionally qualified and work in operating theatres, I’m also a service regular Officer in the British Army. Anyone who asks my hobbies I say the usual of walking, time with family but when I say I HomeBrew they looked shocked. I then discuss why it’s acceptable to have a wine tasting night or pair food with wine but beer is different. Currently planning a beer night in the mess, but I’d be interested in what trades and professions people belong to.

 

[Leon103]

So, I have a bit of a random question that I think I already know the answer to. Are there certain people whom it it acceptable to brew beer at home?

context to this question is that I am professionally qualified and work in operating theatres, I’m also a service regular Officer in the British Army. Anyone who asks my hobbies I say the usual of walking, time with family but when I say I HomeBrew they looked shocked. I then discuss why it’s acceptable to have a wine tasting night or pair food with wine but beer is different. Currently planning a beer night in the mess, but I’d be interested in what trades and professions people belong to.

Why won't it be acceptable.

 

[SkyBlue]

I think it’s acceptable whatever your profession. I must admit when I tell people I’m into brewing my own beer the usual response is “oh, my dad did that years ago”. I guess everyone has tried brewing at some point or other. It’s whether you decide to stick to it or not. I did and I brew some amazing all grain, bespoke ales and I love my hobby!!

 

[Rodcx500z]

Answer anyone can brew beer at home, if people don't like that or frown on it they have no place in your life let them wallow in there own self pity, happy brewing

 

[Richie_asg1]

I wonder if it is a class thing, a hangover from the past?
Wine tasting happens or did in the 70's (I don't remember ever going to one but heard others that did 'a few years ago'. Maybe it came and went with fondue evenings. But never heard of anyone going to a beer tasting.
Could be that at one point the rich drank wine and the poor drank beer so the line was drawn.

Interesting point.

 

[Aaron Rennie]

Sorry, half way through a brew night (and the accompanying few pints) and I don’t think I’ve expressed myself. I’m not asking who can legally brew, just what’s the break down of HomeBrewers vs their day job? Just an interest point.

Minutes into telling them they are asking me all sorts of questions and seem interested but their initial look seems to be exactly what @Richie_asg1 suggests and it’s a class thing.

I’m trying to break this stereotype of bath tub brewer with a long beard, and see if the local brewery will do a guest night.

 

[Aaron Rennie]

And it’s a clone of Dead Pony Club (which I call Rotten Horse Crew) that I’m brewing, while drinking a supped up Larger kit from the Range (mixed some extra DME and reused Kveik yeast for a fruity taste).

 

[Richie_asg1]

For the question on who, I'm an engineer, machinist/ QC inspector, safe technician/locksmith and now full time carer - so I have more time in the kitchen. One problem with being a locksmith is people expect you at odd times of the night immediately. Doesn't mix well with enjoying a beer occasionally.

 

[Aaron Rennie]

For the question on who, I'm an engineer, machinist/ QC inspector, safe technician/locksmith and now full time carer - so I have more time in the kitchen. One problem with being a locksmith is people expect you at odd times of the night immediately. Doesn't mix well with enjoying a beer occasionally.

Nice CV, and I can imagine most calls for a locksmith come when everyone else is drinking!!!!

 

[phildo79]

Interesting question but from my experience, the response is nearly always the same from peeps when they hear I homebrew, regardless if they know me or are a complete stranger to me. It's nearly always, 'oh, do you brew it in the bath? My dad did it a couple of times back in the 70s and did it in the bath.' profession doesn't seem to play a part. It's more bemusement. Bemusement that it's actually something you can do at home. To homebrewers that seems strange but to most others, making beer seems like a very complex thing. It's only when you actually do it, do you see how easy it is...and how difficult it can be sometimes.

 

[Clint]

ME!

 

[samale]

People think you do it because your a tight c##t. They don't realise the time and effort put in to produce it.

 

[phildo79]

I concur with @samale. I started brewing because I was fed up with the same old shyte that was on offer from the shops. And the price of the stuff you really wanted from the specialist offy. You simply couldn't hold out to that stuff. I still go to that offy and end up walking out with 6 to 8 beers and my wallet 40 quid lighter. But at least I now do it with the knowledge that it is possible to replicate those beers at home for a fraction of the price...maybe/hopefully.

 

[foxy]

I think it would cover all walks of life, I know one professor who brews, though not very well at all. Coffin Dodger on this forum is a surgeon. I am now friendly with a load of students who brew, mainly chemical engineers, I think it attracts those who recognises and appreciates a good beer and learning the science behind it. I doubt very much if economics play a part, though when you reach the stage that buying a beer is a thing of the past it warms the cockles of ones heart thinking of the money saved.

 

[Brewnaldo]

The bottom line is home brew has a rep. That rep is rank amateurs with no expertise brewing up some godawful concoction beside a radiator which will make you have violent shits.

You all know better than me its come a long way, but its reputation hasn't.

 

[cossie.j]

I’m just a poor old painter and decorator, but i never got into brewing to save money. I fancied a new hobby and thought I’d give brewing a go? The best thing for me is (and most likely a fair few other) is drinking that beer you made yourself and thinking oh my, i can’t actually believe I’ve made a beer that’s so good?......
I give lots away too,to friends and family who at first are very sceptical, but then give me nothing but praise and themselves saying what a fantastic beer that was. I used to get the p@!s ripped out of me from work mates because they always thought i was brewing to save money or being a cheapskate etc etc or brewing extra strength beers to get me drunk! But it wasn’t until i handed a few out to them, that they then realised how good it is and I’m always being asked what am i brewing now? I’ve actually got a few work mates now trying it out themselves. I love the hobby, but i find myself spending so much money recently on all the greatest and latest equipment haha.

 

[MickDundee]

Interesting question but from my experience, the response is nearly always the same from peeps when they hear I homebrew, regardless if they know me or are a complete stranger to me. It's nearly always, 'oh, do you brew it in the bath? My dad did it a couple of times back in the 70s and did it in the bath.' profession doesn't seem to play a part. It's more bemusement. Bemusement that it's actually something you can do at home. To homebrewers that seems strange but to most others, making beer seems like a very complex thing. It's only when you actually do it, do you see how easy it is...and how difficult it can be sometimes.

I’ve never had any bath comments. Usually it’s “that must be like rocket fuel?” No actually, I make beer because I like beer, not because I want to get pished. I don’t even like being pished! You wouldn’t ask a home baker if they make cakes to get fat, would you?

I’m an accountant BTW

 

[Cwrw666]

The bottom line is home brew has a rep. That rep is rank amateurs with no expertise brewing up some godawful concoction beside a radiator which will make you have violent shits.

You all know better than me its come a long way, but its reputation hasn't.

This is so true, especially when you tell older beer drinkers. Which is odd when you consider the filth the major breweries used to churn out back in the seventies. Oh my god, the hangovers!

I'm a semi retired farmer BTW

 

[Hanglow]

Agree with the rep it still has at least in the uk, where homebrewing is seen as a way to save money by a lot of people. Which is perhaps what it originally was but not necessarily so now. Whereas in the US for example it was born out of brewing good beers that were simply unavailable.

I wouldn't brew just to save money, but it's a nice byproduct of the hobby that it does over time at least.

 

[Slid]

I am an accountant by training and would expect the HB population to be slightly older than the UK demographic and mainly male.