Carboy

An Ending or A New Beginning?

Is it worth the effort? Yes.

This winter, I had fully prepared myself to stop brewing.

I thought I was done. I had all this brewing equipment sitting around, literally collecting dust in my basement. I wanted to move on and spend my time on new interests. And I really oughtn't drink five gallons of beer on my own anyway. I could always buy beer if I really wanted some.

So I geared up to make one last batch of beer, and then I would give away the carboys and tubing and chillers and free up the space in my basement, and in my brain. I found a recipe for something close to a clone of Bitburger, my go-to session beer of late. I spent a day prepping the equipment. And after a month or two I finally found a rare free Saturday to do it.

And in the process of making this German pilsner, I discovered something.

I really enjoy the process of making beer.

I like firing up the floor burner, and mixing the strike water with the milled grains. I even kind of like sparging.

So I finished making this pilsner, which will be ready to drink in a couple of months, after crashing and lagering. And I decided to keep my brewing equipment after all.

I suppose I don't need to make beer 10 times a year, as I did in my earlier days of brewing. I'd much rather use that time running, or riding Vespas, or coaching my kids' soccer games. But I also don't have to completely abandon something that is fun. If it brings me joy and I can find time to do it once or twice a year, then it's worthwhile. I don't need to update this little blog with every twist and turn of my brewing process anymore. I can just enjoy the journey when I can. And that's good enough for now.

By Tom on 04/05/2025

Stage: Primary