1)What drew you to home brewing?
Not really sure. I did my first one in 96. A friend had an empty carboy and I was fascinated by it. He made wine. I didn’t care for wine at that point so I asked if I could borrow it and I made a Cooper’s Australian Stout.
2)What preconceptions did you have before brewing your first batch?
None, really. I was unaware that people were doing it until I went to the hobby shop.
3)What inspires your brewing
I love to do things myself and I like to see people’s reactions when I put it in front of them. The same thing got me to go to culinary school. I love being able to provide something that I made and get feedback from it. I also like the fact that it brings people together. Something as simple as taking time to appreciate a good beer and discussing it with someone whose company I enjoy is awesome.
Another thing that inspires me is the simple fact of having what I want, when I want it. Being in west central Minnesota, many beers are unavailable to me. Not just different brands, but styles, alltogether. If I want to drink it, I have to make it.
4)What do the people around you think of the hobby
They think I’m some sort of mad scientist or something. Most responses are†Do you make dark beer�
I tell them that everything compared to Bud light or Coors is dark by comparison. I also let them know that I make many different styles and I can probably provide one that they would like.
They like the idea and many show interest in doing it, too. Most fall by the wayside, though.
5)How do you relate your home brewing to craft beer
I try to get people to drink my homebrew in order to have them try other beer, to broaden their horizons, if you will. I think by making people more aware of it, they are more likely to go try something new. I try and turn as many people onto craft beer as I can. I try not to talk to them like they are drinking shit, but it is hard to do.
f)Anything else you'd like to say about home brewing.
I have to say that it is the greatest group of people I have ever had the pleasure to be around. Perhaps it is the beer, but I think it is more. The sense of camaraderie is astounding. Take the BN Army for example (perish the thought, I know!)
.Here, we have damn near 10000 people, most of whom have never met, sharing info, jokes, and even sympathy and support in time of need or trouble.
I have seen support offered for someone’s house being destroyed by floods, tornados or fire. Support for people that have had to put down pets. Support for people going through divorces, deaths, and even incarceration.
It never ceases to amaze me that the main reason we came to be here is to make and drink better beer, but we end up creating friendships and networks that would have never been possible otherwise.
Who’d a thunk it?
Cheers!
Dan
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