How Good is your Homebrew?

There's been a consistent similar "off" flavor in almost all my batches that I have been meaning to ask about... I think it's something with the yeast. I'm terrible at trying to describe flavors, I need a veteran to taste my beers

 

I'm way more technical than artistic, at least with beer. I've tried with some success to be more artistic and experiment with mead and especially cider.
anyway, with a few style exceptions I'm very good technically and consistent at hitting my target. While significantly better than average, there are others who are way out of my league still.

cheers--
--Michael

 

I brew fror myself so I design my recipes to brew what I like to drink. On average I probably only like 60% of other homebrews I try.

 

Do you know any other local brewers in your area? Maybe post in the regional or homebrew forum and see if you can find anyone. I'll check them out if you send some my way, shipping is never cheap though.

 

I voted "about the same as the average..."

I've brewed a fair amount of average homebrew. Not for lack of effort, though. Some of my brews (maybe 25%) have been damn good, on the level of commercial examples and above- average homebrew.

I view it as I would any other art form. It's a craft that requires time, repetition, and perseverance if you want to do it really well. Thankfully, I've got a few good years of brewing still ahead of me... as long as my liver doesn't give out first.

 

It is tough...but the guidelines are just a target. Ignoring judge preference for a moment, it's about whether you can hit that target. I don't enjoy American Light Lager but I can recognize when one is spectacularly well-made. I'd still choose a 35-pt pale ale over a perfect 1A, just not when it comes time to award a medal.
some truly great beers just don't fit in the guidelines we've got at the moment. Inability to find a "style" appropriate to enter a one-of-a-kind creation into doesn't mean it isn't spectacular!

 

Most say I am very good, I have doubts often. Did not vote.

 

I liken this to tying ones own flies. I do that as well as homebrew some. Currently my brew is not great but getting better. My fly tying is decent though. There is some sort of satisfaction catching fish on one's own flies as there is some satisfaction in brewing a decent enjoyable beer.

 

I believe that some self doubt in brewing, as it is in any pursuit, is a good thing. The best always think they can do better.

 

Dude. Squiers are so 80's. I have a Fender precision fretless bass now. I've evolved.

 

Only cool if it's a 5 string

Haha. Beer and playing music = heaven

 

I have been brewing since 1995. About 10 years ago Idealized how much time and $ I spent on mediocre beer. I really started to focus on how I treat my yeast and my results are the proof. My beers are exceptional. I do it for fun so it's 100% or nothing. I would put my Belgians and hefe's up against any American brewer.

 

not very good. i've only got one under my belt, but it came out a bit over carbonated and tastes a bit like seltzer water when you first open the bottle.

has a killer aroma though

 

I have tried various five string basses and yet to come up with one that I like enough to buy it. Same with six string basses. None have played the way I want. I would love to have one, but until someone makes one that plays like a dream (like the fender fretless does), I will wait to buy one. I'd really love a five string electric stand-up but they're a bit out of my price range ATM*.

*for a good one at least, and I won't buy anything that isn't badass for what they sell those instruments for

 

I thought I clicked on the thread to talk about how much my homebrews rock not the one about homebrewers who rock and roll

I know that is corny but I am doing a barley wine sampling right now, forgive me.

 

After just two solo batches brewed to completion, I produce better beer than the group of guys I had been brewing [read: drinking] with. That said, I know I have miles and miles to go. I'd really like to be a homebrew "power user" within a few years though.

I did not vote since I've had so little homebrew from others aside from one group of guys.

 

As a judge, I get to taste a lot of good and bad homebrew. I'd say mine is better than average, but the truly great, BOS type, beers usually blow mine out of the water. I make some stellar brews and an occasional clunker; mostly just 'good'.

 

Had to go with the last choice. I've only been homebrewing for around 3 years, so still a relative neophyte. Cut my teeth brewing with a friend when he got into it again after several years hiatus. We've done collaborations and brew-offs for a total of 10 beers. All have been decent to good in terms of flavor and taste (we've gotten compliments from more casual beer drinkers upon whom we've bestowed some of our output—and who've asked for more), but all have had a flaw (or two) of some kind, from over-carbonation to a subtle unwanted tartness, but thankfully no flat or infected drain pours. I'm sure if we got more serious and invested the money in better equipment and were more rigorous in our process our beers would be better, and more consistently so. But we'll probably just continue our current more laid back approach. It's fun that way.

 

did not vote but i will say that over the last 5 years my beers have been getting (not arrived) better. For a long time, and i've been brewing since 3/1989 they were "meh". But since I discovered Star San and the new variety of kick-ass American hops (seriously, doesn't Simcoe & Citra just rock!) they've been above average.

Another way to look at it, home brewing is a journey, ....and I will never get there, and I'm cool with that.

 

I'll be honest, I voted better than average.

I've had others homebrews and some were good, and others were.. "ehhhh, I'll sip it, but it's going the drain"

I've had my fair share of shit brews. Ones I just did not like, no matter WHY I didn't like them. I've put plenty of half drank kegs in the yard for other brews to shine. I don't brew to save money, so dumping a couple beers doesn't make me cry over it. I'm not going to drink shit, and I'm not going to let others drink my shit. Thats embarrassing to me. I take pride in my beers.

I'm a harsh, harsh critic of my own beers, from the unfermented wort, to the finished aged product. I take pretty meticulous notes generally, and like @honkey I firmly believe that the yeast are the engine of a beer, and I take care of them. O2, temp control, proper pitching rates and sound yeast handling. They reward me with good, to great beer.

From the start, I always close my eyes, and drink a beer and imagine I poured it from a "large craft" brewers bottle. Would I like it? Would I offer someone a bottle? Would I "buy" this beer again. My beers often don't have the homebrew taste that they used to when I started. But thats not to say I don't brew a beer, and I'm just not happy with it, but not because it's just gut rot.

So yeah.. I'm not some award winning NHC medal wearer, but I regularly fill growlers, and bottles and take them to friends, co workers and neighbors. Most of which aren't all that into craft beers, or dabble here and there. I get people who will buy growlers so I can fill them on a pretty regular basis. It's not just because it's free beer, but because they like it, or will offer suggestions for the next brew on what they'd like or didn't like. I can appreciate that. I'm open to them slamming the beer to death and telling me it was shit, because sometimes that all I can think it is, and need someone to be honest and not so critical.

Bottomline: I've made some shit, but as a whole, and as I've gotten more brews in, I made good to better than average beer. I could see taking some recipes to a larger scale and making a beer people would buy in a pub or brewery, and I've also got some recipes that will makes you lose your lunch and swear off alcohol.