2013 in review........

[Trollby]

I know it is a little early for a recap of the year (late December seems more appropriate) but just was thinking of it today.


This year has been crazy for me, and my Brewing as well as my BBQ has suffered due to it.

I think that I need to get back in more due to the work over-load is not health, but just not work but family been busy.

I am under half the amount this year that I done in past for Brews (approx 19 gallons only).

This has made my reserve very low, meaning drinking store beers more.

Again this made me not as happy that I let my brews drop to low level.

Hoping that 2014 will be a better year.


How's your 2013 brew or hobbies been?

[Beer-lord]

I do hope yours gets better. Mine's been about the same as last year....maybe a brew or two shorter. I no longer keep the detailed logs that I use to but maintain a steady amount.
Actually, 2013 in many ways has been a close copy of 2012. 2014 will likely mean less brewing as 2 of my IPA loving posse or moving in January and may be gone for a few years. No way I can brew what I have and drink 2 more people's worth.

Either way, I hope 2014 is a good one for you and the rest of the borg.

[BlackDuck]

My 2013 was great for my brewing skills. 2013 was my second year brewing, and in that time, I went from 2.5 gallon BIAB partial mashes in the turkey fryer to 5 gallon all grain in a mash tun and kettle. Much of this I couldn't have done with everyone on the Borg, both the other site and now this one. So a big thanks to all of you!! I was lucky enough to have time to brew on a fairly regular schedule. And I hope to be able to do that next year too.

[Kealia]

From a volume perspective, I just totaled up and I'm at 48 gallons. I don't have plans to brew again before the end of the year but I'll assume that I'll knock out another 2.5G batch so let's call it 50 for the year.

That's a bit more than I did last year (I think) but this will do down not only as the year that I got my kegerator, but the year I had a blast trading beers with others. I've tasted some awesome beers with others here and that alone has been the most fun I've had brewing this year. It also goes down as the year I drank a lot of Enjoy By

All in all, brewing cut into my other outdoor hobbies like hiking and geocaching so I need to balance that out more next year. Summer was gone before I knew it and I just wasn't as active as I normally am. I think I put on 5lbs this year and lost some trimness around the abs so I need to be more conscious of that. Mind you, I still consider myself to be in very good shape (6'3', 200lbs now) but I'd like to keep it that way.

Part of that is also due to a couple of foot injuries that kept me immobile for a while but I digress.

All in all, I have on complaints and I thank you all for being beer buddies.

[D34THSPAWN]

Just started brewing this fall. three 2 gallon batches under my belt now, planning a 4th still this year, other than that just plan to keep on going, going to stick with my favorite style (stouts) right now and work on that until I get a good handle on it then I will start playing around more. Next year is looking good already.

[jimjohson]

this is the only hobby i have, and with this being the first year it has been going better than i had hoped for. i now brew 17.5 gal per month could increase i can now bring all my lbks into operation didn't have room in my fermentation chamber for more than 1 with my 2 ale pails. however with the temps the way they are now, i can also bring my coolers back into the game (be 7.5 more gal every month)

[John Sand]

I was also reflecting on my Year in Beer today. I've brewed 21 batches, evolved to AG and 5g batches. But I've also produced a lot of mediocre to poor beer, including several infected batches. I'm afraid to calculate how much I may have spent on bad beer. But I just did a quick count, and more batches were good than bad. A couple were really good, receiving praise at parties, or requests for more at home. I also greatly appreciate the advice and friendship of fellow brewers, especially on this forum.

[Kealia]

But I just did a quick count, and more batches were good than bad.

In my book, that's a win.

[Gymrat]

I was brewing like gangbusters. This is the year I took up kegging which made brewing oh so much more enjoyable. But it all came to a dead stop when I had my surgery. As for my other hobbies I can still roast my coffee. I tried out a nice espresso blend and just made myself the most incredible mocha latte I have ever tasted. I had a few nice photography outings this year. One of them being a really impressive air show. I haven't picked up my guitar much. My movie collection has really grown. Man of Steel was superbly done by the way. And of course Tuesday I got my copy of the 2013 Crossroads Guitar festival (not a movie but sure fun on my big plasma with the surround sound. It is almost like being at the concert).

[FedoraDave]

Like Roger, I was brewing on a crazy schedule for most of the year. Even so, when I took some time off from brewing in the summer, my pipeline took a big hit that I'm still trying to overcome (it's getting better). Next summer I'll be scaling it back, but still brewing every two or three weeks, just to keep things afloat.

2013 saw me enter my first homebrew competition, and I took third in the Dark Lager category! Very encouraging.

I also took advantage of the opportunity to attend the National Homebrewers Conference in Philadelphia. Unless they hold one in NYC, or Boston, or Bayonne, this will probably be the only one I go to. Totally worth it, though.

I've also lost around 50 pounds since last November, when I joined Weight Watchers. Looking and feeling much better, and still able to enjoy my homebrew!

[jimjohson]

Like Roger, I was brewing on a crazy schedule for most of the year. Even so, when I took some time off from brewing in the summer, my pipeline took a big hit that I'm still trying to overcome (it's getting better). Next summer I'll be scaling it back, but still brewing every two or three weeks, just to keep things afloat.

2013 saw me enter my first homebrew competition, and I took third in the Dark Lager category! Very encouraging.

I also took advantage of the opportunity to attend the National Homebrewers Conference in Philadelphia. Unless they hold one in NYC, or Boston, or Bayonne, this will probably be the only one I go to. Totally worth it, though.

I've also lost around 50 pounds since last November, when I joined Weight Watchers. Looking and feeling much better, and still able to enjoy my homebrew!

congrats on the weight loss Dave

[haerbob3]

I did brew a good amount this year 35 gallons. I still have about 17 gallons left. Good thing most of that are ABV Belgiums. Health issues have really cut into my drinking my brew.

[Inkleg]

Just ran the numbers, 100 gallons so far and the years not over yet.

The BIGGEST thing about this year (other than my daughter getting married) is having you all to call as my friends, and I thank you.
We're like one big dysfunctional beer brewing family. It just works.

[Beer-lord]

Group hug (and Jeff, watch you hands!)

[Inkleg]

Group hug (and Jeff, watch you hands!)

Don't get me started Paul.

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