I don’t know about you all, but I think the state of homebrewing is in jeopardy. Since I’ve had more free time on my hands I’ve been able to browse the web a bit more than usual.
Sadly, I’ve notice quite a few of the sites I would often check out are no longer around. In addition, I have seen quite a few go up for sale; a sign that they’re no longer viable. (?)
Finally, I’ve been seeing a lot of sales bing run. Sales have always been a ‘thing’ but often limited. We’ve got major players offering up to 30% off EVERYTHING. Usually certain items were off limits.
Was the recent forum issues a sign of things to come?
While recent trends show that homebrewing was declining, I think the current increase of everything has played a major factor. And I don’t blame people. If you have limited resources are you going to feed your family or buy grains and yeast? Unfortunately, while the demand for items is down everything else that would affect prices is up!
Hopefully this isn’t the final demise of homebrewing. What are your thoughts?
well the way I see it not as many people getting into it for whatever reason. The people that are home brewing have their equipment and don,t need more aside from an occasional upgrade. You hear all the time that there are less and less beer drinkers so that translates to less and less brewers. This forum is getting less and less visits from new brewers. I’ve been spending more time on other forums which are a bit more lively but its also frequented by people who already brew with a few newbies here and there. Maybe the new brewers don’t ask questions but read the posts and get their info and leave. I remember forums used to always have an introduce yourself thread to at least get people to post. If your out there at least give a thumbs up
The world and its people are changing. I’ll embrace my space and revel in it.
Sneezles
I agree with that. I have my dream system now and only an occasional upgrade might be needed. Of course the only way I see this changing is if someone offers a FULLY INSULATED JACKETED conical. There is one out there but it’s been out of stock forever and correspondence doesn’t show its coming back anytime soon.
I should have said OTHER Homebrew stores have either shuttered or up for sale. There will always be homebrewers but will the demand be there for these Homebrew stores?
I’ll embrace it but revel? Not so sure we’ll be around long. In fact, one of the stores I see running a LOT of sales without exception is our host. Couple that with the recent forum issues and I ask… is this the demise of homebrewing, or at least, this forum with NB?
Well all the stores near me have closed awhile ago. I buy online only and shop for deals on ingredients and the occasional upgrade. Stuff is probably going to go up even more now . It’s going to keep people from starting the hobby. The shops used to target new brewers now they target the hobby addict. More than once people have mentioned it’s so expensive to buy a system. They don’t believe you can make beer with a pot and a pail.
Perhaps, when home brewing was new, it was the flashy thing and many jumped on it. Too many peeps were thinking they’d brew their light brews and save money. Then they realized there is a lot involved to make beer. And to do a light style, well, perhaps it is easier (key word) to just go buy it.
Is it about to fade away? That’ll all depend on the supply chain and the demand. Maybe now the import wars ramping up, and uncertainty, peeps will did out their gear and give brewing another try? Has the even younger crowd now switched to marijuana? I dont see them in public like the older generation is.
Sneezles
As someone who only buys things from our host when they run a sale, I’m not sure that I’d say they are running more sales than normal. I did jump on the 30% discount on kits and nabbed Plinian Legacy and Off the Topper, which I brew every summer anyway. I typically get enough ingredients for two batches at a time and now I currently have enough for 4 batches in my basement, just trying to get time in the schedule of kids sports for a brewday. I actually took half a day off work last week Monday to fit one in. 
Also, not sure on the forum issue, the person I spoke with about it at NB said it was a challenge with the partner recently, so it was hopefully a onetime thing. I guess we’ll see.
Rad
I have felt this for a little while. I am super proud of my home-built setup and still love brewing even though my free time is limited. When I first started getting somewhat serious with brewing beer, I did it with friends. We’d get together and drink, shoot the shit, watch sports, and brew. Even before kids, their participation started to wane. They never caught the sickness I guess. We all still enjoy drinking good beer, but I’m the only one who still does it. Doing it alone is still fine and fun, but not the same fun it used to be.
With the increasing number of small breweries all over the place, I’m sure people are attracted to the social aspect similar to how I used to view brewing. I have 4 breweries within a 15 minute drive of my house. People are less interested in coming over and hanging out when there’s a food truck festival at the local brewery. Not mad, I enjoy it too, but it’s almost like brewing and going to breweries dips from the same finite reservoir, and something’s gotta give. Hope it turns around, I love talking to people about brewing or even “bragging” about my home brewery. I’ll just enjoy the ride while I can and hope home brewing doesn’t go the way of the dodo
I came back to see if there were any people on here from when I joined. See most of the frequent members still active. I have not brewed in years. Sitting on so much equipment gathering dust.
Welcome back! If it’s not too personal, what’s holding you back from brewing?
Guess that part of the concern is the supply chain and prices increasing so much that it’s no longer a viable hobby.
I’d say I just lost interest in it. Life just got busy and it just didn’t fit in anymore. So much time seemed to pass and it just hasn’t been something I’ve felt the itch to do.
well I can see that nowadays with so many options. It’s easier now to find good beer with so many producers and breweries. IPAs are everywhere. I remember when that wasn’t always the case. I tend to brew more stuff that is less available.
I agree. I think limited options fueled the hobby. Now with all the breweries, especially your local brewery that you now claim as ‘YOURS’ there isn’t as much of a need to brew them.
Funny I was looking at some statistics and the NA/LA beers AND Higher ABV are driving the industry. I attribute this to people becoming more healthy. And if I am going to drink I’m going to drink 1 or 2 high ABV beers vs 6 regular strength beer.
I get that too. There are times where you just don’t have the time. For example my son’s in his spring soccer season. We have games every Saturday and Sunday, and often multiple during the day so it’s impossible to brew.
Luckily, I’m blessed to have quite a bit of seniority so I’m able to take time off work for brewing.
I also attribute my personal situation to having my kids get a little older. They’re not babies anymore, but definitely not able to be self sufficient. So, I have my time taken up more often.
I also had a weird 2024. I have various hobbies, and I have a habit of only organizing my areas when it gets IMMENSELY messy. So, I decided to take the year off from making anything so I could clean and organize every single thing in my shops. That includes engineering, wood working, or beer. I even cut back my video games by a ton. I have to admit, it was tough to get back to brewing after a whole year off. But, once I did it once, I was back to being hooked.
I wonder if some people get bored with the “make a kit as specifically instructed”, but aren’t quite interested enough to make their own recipes. When you start to feel like a little-kids chemistry set, it gets annoying (hence why I made that jump to all grain all those years ago). I thoroughly enjoy trying new and weird recipes, making stuff you can’t get anywhere else or make beer that is usually expensive but I get to make it for much less cost (since I don’t take my equipment or time cost into consideration… Sunk cost). I make a beer that I believe is an improvement on a current commercial beer, higher abv too, and a fraction of the cost.
no way I could have brewed with a young family. I guess the retires have to pick up the slack if you could get them off the pickle ball court
Ha Brew Cat, ain’t no way I’ll be a pickleball player…
I haven’t brewed for quite a while, but no way I’ll hang it up.
I have cut back on consuming beer, but when there are craft brews to try, I try to get a front row seat.
Sadly, thru all the turmoil, finding Duvel is almost impossible… perhaps too not be had. Will Guiness be on the chopping block too?
Can we even think of the grains and hops not available too?
Oh dear…
Sneezles
yeah Im to busy brewing to play pickle ball. Besides I spent to many years abusing my body and trying not to get hurt to start now. I go to the gym use the free weights and bike. Gotta love silver sneakers. Of course staying in shape is important may have to pick up the tool belt at anytime. I’ve actually been called up for a couple jobs this spring. Man people are desperate for help. Some don’t want to work and the ones that do cant
Is that a sad state of affairs. There’s work, but… (insert any excuse here). But this is how it is now, and I’m not wanting to help build a complete project. Some older folks that can’t afford the price, I’ll help out doing the simple home maintainence. I only ask for coffee, even a beer if they offer!
Sneezles
