I've logged a satisfying number of brews this year: an amber ale, a pale and also an extra pale ale, a brown ale, a saison, and three English ales (a Mild, a Special Bitter, and a Porter). I wrapped up the year with two all grain beers: a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale clone, and an ale called Dirty Water Brown from Jamil Zainasheff and John Palmer's book, Brewing Classic Styles.
I think I ended up bottling about 35 gallons of beer, or about 60 six packs. Many of those six packs were gifted to friends and family who gave me probably too generous feedback. They were probably just happy to have the free beer!
Things I've learned about brewing this year:
- Keep your equipment clean.
- Keep everything sanitized after the boil.
- Use fresh ingredients.
- Use the right bottling equipment or you'll waste beer all over the kitchen floor.
- Having the kids help with the hobby makes for a great bonding experience.
- I take myself way to seriously. Relax, and enjoy a glass!
- Having homebrewing friends can be a very good thing. Some of the best beers I've ever tasted came as samples from fellow homebrewers.
- I shouldn't apologize so much for things that I do that I think are sub par. I've long known I'm the worst critic of myself. Life is so much nicer when I can simply enjoy the things that I have and be thankful for those around me. I'm glad I have family and good friends who remind me to give myself a break.
- Having the kids help with the hobby makes for a great bonding experience.
Goals for this next year? Brew as often as I can, drink the beers I enjoy drinking, don't be afraid to try something new, and be thankful for everything I have.
That doesn't sound too difficult!
