19 replies to this topic

[mikebrad]

I started brewing in 2001 and stopped a couple years ago.  I feel like in that time I saw a decent growth period and slight decline in popularity, but that could just be slanted towards my personal experiences. Just curious as to what the general state of homebrewing is as a hobby these days.  Is it growing, declining, flat?  How is it versus 5, 10, 20 years ago?

[HVB]

I started brewing in 2001 and stopped a couple years ago.  I feel like in that time I saw a decent growth period and slight decline in popularity, but that could just be slanted towards my personal experiences. Just curious as to what the general state of homebrewing is as a hobby these days.  Is it growing, declining, flat?  How is it versus 5, 10, 20 years ago?

Growing a lot IMO.  Just a look at the amount of participation there is in competitions and it is impressive.

 

From the AHA httpss://www.brewersassociation.org/press-releases/american-homebrewers-association-26-percent-growth-in-2012-u-s-homebrew-sales/

 

"Reviewing data from 275 shops spanning 47 states-a 32 percent increase in participants from last year’s survey-the survey found that on average, participants saw gross revenue increase by 26 percent in 2012. For shops that primarily sell homebrew supplies, gross revenue increased on average by 29 percent. This is 2 percent higher than last year’s results and 10 percent higher than results from the first AHA supply shop survey conducted in 2009.

 

“As homebrewing continues to grow, retail shops are responding accordingly, satisfying the needs of their increasing customer base,” said Gary Glass, director, American Homebrewers Association. “Homebrew supply shops serve as the heart of local homebrewing communities. The success of a local shop will ensure a thriving community of homebrewers.”"

[positiveContact]

People that I know not through this forum have either maintained their low level of activity or more or less completely dropped off and haven't brewed for years.  I've maintained a level that keeps my house supplied with homebrew at all times.

 

I would guess the the popularity is regional and is doing different things in different regions.

[HVB]

People that I know not through this forum have either maintained their low level of activity or more or less completely dropped off and haven't brewed for years.  I've maintained a level that keeps my house supplied with homebrew at all times.

 

I would guess the the popularity is regional and is doing different things in different regions.

It very well could be regional.  Judging by the amount of people at events for the hombrew club I used to attend there are a lot in this area that are brewing.  We also have had a lot of brew-fest that have opened homebrew sections.  3 years ago there was on, this year I know of at least 8-10 in the MA/CT area.  That is having a huge draw IMO because people feel it is their was to found and get a step int eh door to move on to the commercial side.

[positiveContact]

It very well could be regional.  Judging by the amount of people at events for the hombrew club I used to attend there are a lot in this area that are brewing.  We also have had a lot of brew-fest that have opened homebrew sections.  3 years ago there was on, this year I know of at least 8-10 in the MA/CT area.  That is having a huge draw IMO because people feel it is their was to found and get a step int eh door to move on to the commercial side.

 

I haven't witnessed any homebrew being served at an event yet - that would be pretty cool.

[HVB]

I haven't witnessed any homebrew being served at an event yet - that would be pretty cool.

It is to a point.  I have given up doing them, they were just not for me.  Most events are 2-3 beers and they want a minimum of 5g.  It was nice to get the live feedback but the cost to brew these beers and get them there was just not worth it to me.  You can not legal get anything to serve them so it is just a big donation.  My time is so limited these days I just do not have the ability to brew enough to give away.  Not to mention the money and time.

[positiveContact]

It is to a point.  I have given up doing them, they were just not for me.  Most events are 2-3 beers and they want a minimum of 5g.  It was nice to get the live feedback but the cost to brew these beers and get them there was just not worth it to me.  You can not legal get anything to serve them so it is just a big donation.  My time is so limited these days I just do not have the ability to brew enough to give away.  Not to mention the money and time.

 

oh yeah - I don't think I'd want to bring beer but I wouldn't mind trying other people's beer

[HVB]

oh yeah - I don't think I'd want to bring beer but I wouldn't mind trying other people's beer

LOL .. got ya!

[brewman]

From my view in South Florida its growing by leaps and bounds. Our club went from 8 members last year to over 60 now.

 

Dan

[positiveContact]

LOL .. got ya!

 

so this is sort of related but over the weekend I went to Longtrail for the 25th anniversary celebration.  I sampled all of what they had to offer that day which is most of their regular stuff plus a few seasonals and a special 25th anniversary barrel aged impy stout.  the impty stout was quite good.  the limbo IPA is solid.  but overall the beers are kind of meh.  I don't mean to say there are obvious flaws or anything but they don't really get me particularly excited either.

 

so the next day, fresh on the heels of having all of this commercial beer that I don't typically drink I had a couple of my own homebrews while grilling up some food for dinner.  maybe this belongs in the "toot my own horn thread" or maybe I've just grown to like my own terroir but I actually enjoyed my own beers a lot more.  one of them was even a beer that I wasn't super happy with but after drinking a lot of long trail the previous day I approached it with a new outlook and really enjoyed what it brought to the table.  so I guess homebrewing will likely always be popular at my house just so I can continue to tweak the beer and make it just how I like to drink it

[SchwanzBrewer]

Shops here manage to stay in business without a problem. Two have turned into breweries/home brew shops. The shop that shares a name with my club make a slot of wine and they are good people. They cater mostly to newer brewers, winemakers, and emergency brew supplies that are close by. Southern Brewing and Winemaking makes some decent beers. From Wed - Sat around 4:30 - 10pm the place will have 10 - 50 people there. Sometimes you have to wait to get at a scale and the grains. At least in my region it seems to have only increased, not gone flat, or decreased.

[MyaCullen]

People that I know not through this forum have either maintained their low level of activity or more or less completely dropped off and haven't brewed for years.  I've maintained a level that keeps my house supplied with homebrew at all times.

 

I would guess the the popularity is regional and is doing different things in different regions.

gaining here, for the moment anyway

[denny]

The last few years have seen explosive growth.  In the last year or so, it's started levelling off.  To the point that homebrew shops and the AHA are keeping a close eye on it.

[MyaCullen]

The last few years have seen explosive growth.  In the last year or so, it's started levelling off.  To the point that homebrew shops and the AHA are keeping a close eye on it.

as usual Spokane is behind the curve

[neddles]

so the next day, fresh on the heels of having all of this commercial beer that I don't typically drink I had a couple of my own homebrews while grilling up some food for dinner.  maybe this belongs in the "toot my own horn thread" or maybe I've just grown to like my own terroir but I actually enjoyed my own beers a lot more.  one of them was even a beer that I wasn't super happy with but after drinking a lot of long trail the previous day I approached it with a new outlook and really enjoyed what it brought to the table.  so I guess homebrewing will likely always be popular at my house just so I can continue to tweak the beer and make it just how I like to drink it

I hear ya. I could have written this exactly. My beer is not as good as the best commercial beers I have had but it is better than most I have access to. I think freshness plays a huge role in that. 

[Big Nake]

There are a lot of new products coming out everyday and I don't just mean gadgets. New malts, new hops, rare yeasts, etc. There is better & more-refined brewing knowledge out there now. I always mention having "tools in your toolbox" and there are a lot of tools. The amount of brewing "information" that is good and usable is outrageously good at the moment. I seem to know a lot of people in the forums that used to brew and no longer do but maybe I should just stay out of the PH. For me personally, I'm cruising on brewing. But... I am approaching 50 years old and my 3 kids are not running around my kneecaps anymore so I have more time to enjoy it. I have a very early appointment today and plan to stop at my LHBS on the way home for a sack of Rahr Pale Ale malt, hops, yeast and other supplies. Brewing is alive and well here & I'm enjoying it about as much as is humanly possible.EDIT: I occasionally have outstanding commercial beers. I occasionally have a beer of mine that I think is subpar. But the vast majority of the time I am extremely happy with my beers and they keep getting better. Fresh is good. Brewing it to your own tastes is good.

Edited by KenLenard, 26 August 2014 - 02:42 AM.

[positiveContact]

I think an interesting peice of data would be the distribution of current homebrewers and how long they've been homebrewing regularly.  I kind of wonder if the hobby is bleeding experience and picking up lots of noobs at a quicker pace if the AHA or whoever is tracking this is to be believed (you have to admit that they have a bit of a conflict of interest on this issue).

[positiveContact]

I hear ya. I could have written this exactly. My beer is not as good as the best commercial beers I have had but it is better than most I have access to. I think freshness plays a huge role in that. 

 

I agree that I can't yet compete with the better/best commercial beers but I'd say I can stand up to many that I can readily buy.

[denny]

I think an interesting peice of data would be the distribution of current homebrewers and how long they've been homebrewing regularly.  I kind of wonder if the hobby is bleeding experience and picking up lots of noobs at a quicker pace if the AHA or whoever is tracking this is to be believed (you have to admit that they have a bit of a conflict of interest on this issue).

 

I'm pretty sure the AHA has charted it by age.  I'll see if I can find out.

[positiveContact]

I'm pretty sure the AHA has charted it by age.  I'll see if I can find out.

 

that would be similar I guess.  an old guy could have just started though.