Why Big Beers?

[John Sand]

I went to another meeting at the LHBS a couple of weeks ago. I brought a MrB IPA and a Centennial Blonde. Others brought Dubbels and Tripels and Apple Mead. So, are they just way out brewers? Or did they work through most common styles? Or moved to be extreme for the challenge? What's the scoop? I don't think it's that they routinely drink that stuff.

[TimeTraveler]

They may be advanced brewers or simply have different tastes from yours. Don't get hung up on what others are buying and/or making. Brew what makes you happy. After all, you probably will be the one drinking it!

[mtsoxfan]

If it was fall/winter I'd be drinking big beers... with an occasional hoppy to clense the palette. It's just the brews some people are into. I can appreciate many styles of beers, but have my favorites...

I'm sure there are hop head clubs as well... How long have you been meeting? If it's not what you want from a club, keep looking until you find a home...

[philm00x]

I think it's the extreme on both sides. When I first started homebrewing and was searching Craigslist for equipment/bottles/etc, the people I met either brewed really hoppy beers or really malty beers. One guy I got bottles from said he was into brewing tripels and quadrupels, and another guy I got an LBK and a hydrometer and some other stuff from was into IPAs, IIPAs, and beyond. Basically anything with gravities starting from 1.070 and up either to help tame the hops, or to emphasize the malt. I'm partial to the malty side but I don't usually drink big beers. I typically like to have something I can relax and not get hammered with in one bottle. Not that I don't enjoy a big malty beer, because I do love the dubbels and tripels, bocks, doppelbocks, and such.

[Inkleg]

When I got home tonight I had my Pliny the Elder and then My Stone Vertical Epic 09-09-09 clones. That's how I roll.
But tomorrow I may have Centennial Blonde and the house Pale Ale. I like to have a variety on hand to suit how I'm feeling that day.

I think people tend to brew simple beers at the start. As they learn and grow they like to push the limits and see what they are capable of. I picked up Wyeast 3725 Bier De Garde last weekend just because the LHBS said it only comes once a year. I have never had a Saison beer, but now I'm doing recipe research and going to brew one.

[mtsoxfan]

phil... I think that plays a part in why I like big beers, not that I get hammered on one, but I only drink one and am satisfied, a warm glow without having a full belly. Kinda like why I like a good rum, on the rocks so I can enjoy the flavor, but only drink one.... unless I'm looking for more than flavor...

[FrozenInTime]

I like barley wine myself! Go big or stay home. I like light, krispy summer ales for hot weather which we have very little of. I usually cann't drink more than one beer a day regardless of the %, makes me feel sick if I do. So I like the big beers for the buzz that most would get from sitting and drinking several lite brews. I don't get drunk from them, like I mentioned, I feel the way most do after they consume 3-4 beers, which I can not do.

[philm00x]

See I'm usually satisfied with just one beer, as long as it wasn't so light and thin that I could chug it. And a majority of the beers I drink are wheat beers so the protein content keeps me pretty full.

[RickBeer]

I brew and drink beer because I enjoy the taste. I don't enjoy getting a headache, and I outgrew getting buzzed a few decades ago. While I won't say I'd never brew a big beer, I doubt I will. Prior to homebrewing I never focused on ABV unless I was in a weird state like Colorado and worried I was buying tap water. Now that I homebrew, the brews around 4% are more enjoyable than those in the high 5s and low 6s, but it's not like I've done a study.

[FedoraDave]

As the common knowledge goes, the best advice is to brew what you like, go for flavor, not ABV, and continue experiencing different styles from commercial brewers to determine what you may want to make down the road. Nothing wrong with asking these other brewers what they're making and why; it's a great conversation starter, and there's always a chance you'll learn something and/or get ideas.

Keep in mind, too, that some guys may like the idea of brewing for the upcoming seasons. Traditionally, the bigger beers are winter beers, and the lighter, hoppier ones are for warm weather. But just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to drink stout or dubbels. Drink what you like; it's your beer, and the only important customer base is you.

[Chuck N]

I've never brewed a big beer. But I love to drink them...

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[Beer-lord]

Since I have a kegerator and it holds 3 corny's, I try to have 3 different sized beers most of the time from 5% to 7 or 7.5%. It's not always easy since some go faster than others but I like to have 1 dark or at least, 1 that's different enough for some variety. But, it doesn't always work out that way. During the summer, I brew a few lighter beers but still will hit a heavy one or two.
So, I pretty much do brew what I like to drink and then, just drink it!

[Yankeedag]

Even with the Keg'r.. I found that I just really liked my Nong Irish Not so Red, and the Nong Irish Red. But I did figure out that if I wanted a special style of beer, I actually had to make it in advance. Bummed me out, but I got over it.

[gwcr]

I'm more of a middle of the road guy, with an occasional top end around 7%. I like my APA the most, and I've gotten pretty repeatable results around 5-5.5%. I try to brew to style, and try to hit the midpoint most times. Seems to fit my palate. So here's another vote for brew what you like to drink.

[Kealia]

My beer is bigger than your beer.
I'm just sayin'