Who do you brew with?

I answered "with a friend" because one my sons usually helps.

 

I brew with my 5 year old daughter 90% of the time. She's been my brewing partner since she could be pronounced safe around what was going on when i had my hands momentarily full, which was some time around 2 i think. She has lots of fun and since she cant drink the product, we also bust out all the setup and do soda sometimes or once in a while a gumbo or soup. Shes probably one of 7 kindergartener's in the world who knows how to make beer.
Recently ive picked up an assistant brewer who is learning the ropes and brewing every batch with me. But it just isnt the same.

 

I always brew with my roommate. we split everything. Sometimes our girlfriends will help out or keep company, or a friend will come and watch.

 

Myself, friends, family, coworkers and of course, my dentist.

 

i for the most part brew by myself. i say "for the most part" because every once in a while when i do have some one with me, it's my 3 (almost 4) year old daughter either stirring in the yeast or putting the caps on the bottle before i cap them down.

 

Yeah... about 20 years ago I asked a friend how the new job was going; his reply was "people suck". One of my catch phrases ever since. I'm not "people" though, right?

 

I usually brew alone because I prefer to get it done early. The mug contains coffee instead of beer and I get going by 7 a.m. or so. It's nice to have the occasional helper but I live way beyond the middle of nowhere, even for VT, 5 miles from the nearest pavement and 4 miles up the side of a mountain.

I offered "brewing lessons" to a couple of charity auctions and enjoyed the sessions (we did drink beer in this case).

 

My wife was there for the first couple of brew days, but quickly became bored with the process so I now brew alone. It is the only time I can forget everything else in the world and just zone out. I prefer to brew in the morning with some music on and the house to myself.

One time I had a friend come and watch...it was fun, but distracting and I had a big boil over because I was not paying attention. Now that I have switched to all-grain I can geek out and zone out for 7 hours no problem.

I have never gone to another brewer's home to watch, but would like to compare the process. Only problem is I don't want to bother them. Brewing is solitary while drinking is a group thing.