How I Experience Being As a Homebrewer

The Homebrewer of the Mit-weld

One way of describing the experience of being a homebrewer is that it is all about relationships. As a homebrewer—and, therefore, a human—one is always ever in relationship. As with the world of Being, the world of the homebrewer is a Mit-weld, or “with-world.” One is not a homebrewer in isolation. Rather, one is a homebrewer within and with the world. So, let us consider, for a moment, some essential elements of relationships. Communication? Commonality? Proximity? Purpose? Functionality? Of course! But what roles do these elements of relationships play within the homebrewer-homebrewing-homebrew experience?

From the time of its serendipitous inception, the gift of alcohol and, therefore, brewing, has been an integral part of the interplay and perpetuation of society and culture. I think of the socially reserved indigenous peoples of the Peruvian Andes for whom fermented beverage facilitates an integration of the sexes where none is usually present. This encourages courting rituals among youth and, thus, the continuation of the culture. I also recall the origin of the word, “honeymoon,” one of the oldest idioms known to Western culture. My understanding is that the word is derived from the belief that drinking mead (honey wine) for one whole lunar cycle increased a newlywed couple’s fertility. Although a recent study claims that alcohol does not actually make others appear more attractive, a significant percentage of mothers (and fathers) would not be able to explain their unplanned pregnancies were it not for the reduction of inhibitions (and consciousness) that result from copious amounts of potent potables.  But I digress. The truth is that the predominant role of alcohol in our culture is that of social lubricant. Indeed, if this were not the case, the stigma of drinking alone would be less negative.

Though important, the social aspect of homebrewing is far from the only such relationship experienced by the homebrewer. S/he is also in relationship to a number of other entities, some more directly than others. For example, thoughout the creative process, the homebrewer is in relationship with his or her own cognitive and emotional experience. This is made evident by the out-of-the-box thinking required to come up with beer names like Drye Wit Belgian wheat, Hoppy Hoppy Joy Joy American Brown Ale brewed with almonds, coconut, and cacao nibs, or Stupid Sexy Flanders II Flemish Red, or to use ingredient combinations like pumpkin and blueberries, pineapple and jalapeno, or hibiscus and pomegranate.

The homebrewer is also in relationship with their equipment and their accessibility to resources. One of the prerequisites (I believe) of becoming a homebrewer is the ability to re-purpose materials (‘tinkering’ in the vernacular) for your own ends. This may include the construction of a mash tun from an old picnic cooler and some spare plumbing parts, or converting a chest freezer to be used as a keezer (a freezer that dispenses draft beer). The homebrewer is always on the lookout for cheap or free items that could be used in his or her hobby. This is often far less expensive than purchasing purpose-built equipment, but also increases the fun factor and the sense of accomplishment and ingenuity for the homebrewer. What pieces of equipment have you re-purposed or built from other miscellaneous parts?

The homebrewer also develops a relationship over time with their ingredients, less so as an extract brewer and more as partial mash or all-grain. They become curious about the differences between various malts and how they are produced. They begin to explore hop varieties, perhaps performing trials to attempt to clone a particular commercial brew’s flavor profile, or intrepidly forging their own brilliant combinations. They may also explore yeast strains, including their various characteristics and flavor contributions under different environmental conditions. For some, this curiosity may bloom into multiple hobbies:  gardening, home malting, hop cultivator, yeast rancher, amateur microbiologist, homebrewing blogger, etc. How has this hobby evolved for you? Or influenced your evolution as a person?

These many relationships do not exclude the homebrewer's relationship with nature and the world in general. When one enters the creative world of homebrewing, they become a more sensitive observer of the role of various processes in nature. They become more sensitive to their intersubjective place within these processes. Remember, no one exists in isolation. One influences and is influenced by everything. Be aware. Be apart of the cyclic nature. Be a homebrewer.

Until next time, BE FERMENTIVE, too!