Freeloaders

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by ElPadrone, Dec 18, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. ElPadrone

    ElPadrone Initiate (0) Oct 20, 2009 Texas

    I guess people have gotten confused by my post, and when reading back it does sound like I am trying to recoop the lost money on beer I have already purchased. One post said it would be like collecting dues for a club which is what it would be. You get to work on a crazy nice system and drink some homebrew and learn about the hobby. We just dont have an official club yet or any bylaws written. FWIW I just dont like people coming over who I dont know drinking all my HB and not pitching in. All my brew buddies who come over a few times a month will certainly understand in paying their"dues" to be a part of the club. I can be overly nice especially when it comes to inviting new people to join us and giving out good home brew however I guess from now on we need to be more careful of who we invite over.
     
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Okay, explain it to the authorities just like that, and you'll be fine.

    Disclaimer: No, I don't really think you will. But good luck.
     
    sarcastro likes this.
  3. cmannes

    cmannes Pundit (943) Mar 15, 2009 Minnesota

    So... Do you ask them to help? Did you hand someone something and say "would you wash this for me?"

    If I came over, and watched you brew on this super cool system, and then I had a beer or two. And you never said anything about it being a problem, I would do the same thing again. People can't read your mind, and most people would prefer some honesty.
     
    afrokaze likes this.
  4. sarcastro

    sarcastro Savant (1,097) Sep 20, 2006 Michigan

    Then don't invite them over.
     
    MarkF150 and MMAJYK like this.
  5. yinzer

    yinzer Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2006 Pennsylvania

    I agree. If the authorities show up too to see if money is being exchanged, that's all that they care about. Now it might be possible that in the end it might be determined that beer wasn't actually sold. But it's an argument that only a lawyer could win.

    Edit: Will money change hands at the site and day of brewing?

    I'm sure that there are rules as to how money is exchanged at clubs. I think that they even extend to what bank account the money is deposited into. Possibly the club could buy you malt, but I'm not sure about the rules.
     
  6. ElPadrone

    ElPadrone Initiate (0) Oct 20, 2009 Texas

    We give everyone an invite who wants to join and learn but if they abuse it they are not asked back.
     
  7. ElPadrone

    ElPadrone Initiate (0) Oct 20, 2009 Texas

    No one is paying for beer nor or we selling anything. Just call it Dues or donations. People can twist some shit on this forum I tell you! I am on here to have fun and get feedback , not get into pissing contest with people who wanna pick apart every word that is typed.
     
  8. yinzer

    yinzer Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2006 Pennsylvania

    I know. I was trying to address how the dues were handled.
     
  9. ElPadrone

    ElPadrone Initiate (0) Oct 20, 2009 Texas

    Sorry Yinzer, that wasnt meant to be directed at you!! I find it hard sometimes to post on here without it being deconstructed into something thats not anywhere close to the original comment posting. Very frustrating
     
  10. yinzer

    yinzer Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2006 Pennsylvania

    No problem. I feel for your situation.
     
  11. lotsaswigs

    lotsaswigs Initiate (0) Jan 24, 2006 Michigan

    My advice: I personally can't imagine a brew day with basically a party taking place at the same time. Perhaps with very few of my closest friends, but I'm much too anal when brewing to have to deal with that situation.

    But the point I'd like to make is this. So say you do end up collecting $10 or whatever from people who basically want to show up and drink. Sure you may recoup some of your expense, but at the same time you'd be basically giving them license to drink even more than before and perhaps become even more of a hindrance to what you're wanting to do. As far as the legality, I forgot who said it's our responsibility to break unjust laws, but I'd say this definitely falls into that category.

    On a side note, it blows my mind every time drinking while brewing is brought up the number of people-usually around 80% of responders-who say they don't drink any brews while brewing.(anyone know if a poll has ever been done on this on here?) For me it's a standard part of the experience that I really enjoy. A couple of home brews doesn't impair my judgment in a way that inhibits my brewing, but I guess everyone is different.
     
  12. ElPadrone

    ElPadrone Initiate (0) Oct 20, 2009 Texas

    I agree, we usually will drink during the brew day. However its not drinking like we would be doing watching a Cowboys game (weve needed beer to watch them lately) we are usually to busy to constantly be pulling from the taps but as I can remember it always seem that kegs are cashed during a brew day. And on the $10 note, that is more to have the funds to prepare for the next kit that is ordered for the following brew day. We were also talking about having someone purchase the kit for that brew day when its their turn.
     
  13. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,176) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah Society

    RE: Freeloaders. Simple solutions to this one. Don't invite them. Don't let them drink. Ask them to help.

    RE: Drinking while brewing. I usually stick to coffee. I'm an early riser. If I'm brewing, I'm probably heating my strike water up before breakfast. I wonder if you would have a freeloader problem if your brewdays started at sunrise.
     
    rocdoc1 and ElPadrone like this.
  14. ElPadrone

    ElPadrone Initiate (0) Oct 20, 2009 Texas

    Most of the time I start around 7 or so and people start coming by an hour or so after. As you said those are generally not the times I have the problems. Its when people ask to come by or learn to brew and we arrange an afternoon brew day. But I like your idea of starting early on a big day to keep away the "Freeloaders"
     
  15. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    That was Martin Luther King Jr. I forget the exact context, but it probably wasn't homebrewing.
     
    Hatzilla, mattbk and pweis909 like this.
  16. ericj551

    ericj551 Pooh-Bah (1,638) Apr 29, 2004 Canada (AB)
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm pretty sure MLK was a least alluding to homebrewing.
     
  17. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Heh. He was also willing to go to jail for his cause.
     
  18. PangaeaBeerFood

    PangaeaBeerFood Initiate (0) Nov 30, 2008 New York

    Please tell me you aren't comparing homebrewing laws to the civil rights movement...

    Anyway, to the OP... My general rule is anyone is allowed to come hang out while I brew and drink while they're there, but they're expected to help. If they want to take a portion of the batch that they helped brew, they're more than welcome to it, but I expect them to cover the expenses of what they take (i.e. if a batch cost $30 to make and they want to take half, they owe me $15 for cost of ingredients and such). Aside from that, I give my homebrew away freely. The way I see it, most of the time people drink my homebrew it's because they've come to my house, or I've come to theirs. I'd be buying beer to serve/bring for either of those occasions anyway, so it isn't really an additional expensive. In fact, it's probably cheaper than lugging around most craft beers.
     
  19. sarcastro

    sarcastro Savant (1,097) Sep 20, 2006 Michigan

    If that is the case it shouldt be a problem, and you just want people to help recoup your costs. I am not saying it is wrong, but if the problem people dont get invited back, then they arent a problem. If you start charging, it sounds like a business to me.
     
  20. lotsaswigs

    lotsaswigs Initiate (0) Jan 24, 2006 Michigan

    Man some of you guys need to lighten up. I actually didn't remember where that quote came from, and if I did I wouldn't have used it. I just mean fuck the man you squares.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.