How do YOU decide what to Brew? (Poll)

I usually pick the yeast I want to use first, or, if I already have a good yeast going in one my carboys, I consider whether I want to keep that yeast going with a new batch or batches. Once I have the yeast (and/or bacteria) selected then the rest is a question of o.g. and hops, with some considerations to the hops I have on hand and the series of beers I want to brew with a yeast (usually a lower o.g. first w/o too much hopping, then split the yeast cake for 2 further brews, perhaps getting stronger, hoppier and/or darker grains).

 

I'm really surprised cloning isn't higher than 5%.

 

I brew styles I like, but I prefer to experiment. So, I choose on whatever trips my trigger before brew day.

 

I've been homebrewing for a few years, but only this year have really started going head-strong into the hobby. I was brewing a lot of "safe" stuff in the past - basically amber ales with some slight variations in the ingredients.

This year though I've started having a lot of fun with making labels. It might sound kinda silly, but sometimes I come up with a name for a beer first, then go about deciding what kind of style might fit the name.

So for example I wanted to brew a beer for an upcoming Chrysler car-show in PA, and eventually came up with a Dukes of Hazzard reference: "Crazy Cooter's Apple Ale." The result of course was a pale ale soaked with apples and some apple concentrate added in. Continuing on my car theme, I thought of "Found On Road Dead" - a slightly unflatering nod at "FORD", and thought it'd be a perfect name for a smoked porter.

Lately I've been attempting some SMaSH beers, and aimed for "adult" titles using the hop names. So, for example, "I Fuggled Your Mom" and "Live Chat with Crystal".

Lastly, as an avid player of the space-based MMORPG "EVE Online," I was suddenly inspired a few weeks ago to brew a beer reminiscent of the lawless areas of space in the game, and thought a Black IPA would be absolutely perfect. "Zero Zero" (the in-game numerical identifier for solar systems without "space police,") is currently fermenting.