There’s something about the niche nature of [insert forum topic here] that attracts supercilious and argumentative people.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
That’s right, they also attract and breed elitism. It’s found in every forum, whether it’s about 4x4s<\/a> or Drum Corps<\/a>, the average tone of the discussion is:<\/p>\n Even if you’re just expressing an opinion, I’m right and you’re wrong and I’m going to flame you into submission!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Sadly, this is also prevalent in the homebrewing scene…<\/p>\n I don’t do much homebrewing myself, but I like to help my friend who’s an avid homebrewer – particularly if I’m “loaning” my fridge for lagering purposes. When we were looking to make a lager in 2009, I asked my friend about clone recipes and was warned to tread lightly. Homebrew forums were quick to lend a hand with your “Pete’s Wicked Ale” clone, but if you asked about a clone for Miller (heaven forbid), you would surely be met with criticism.<\/p>\n Sure, I understand trying to make Budweiser at home is cost prohibitive, but it’s not about beating the price – it’s about beating the system, and taking a known quantity into a new direction. A clone recipe is merely a starting point to serve as a control experiment. I had the opportunity to talk to Dave of Dave’s Brew Farm about craft & homebrewers poo-poo-ing lagers in favor of ales, and I noticed he is brewing a lager called Dave’s Brew Farm Select. To him it wasn’t “Why make a lager?” It was “Why not?” There’s a market for those going up against Miller\/Coors & Budweiser – to offer the masses something that seems familiar, but may also be something new. Other Minnesota brewers understand as well (See Summit Pilsener<\/a> & Surly Hell<\/a>).<\/p>\n This is not to take anything away from any ale. My favorite all-time beer is probably Summit Extra Pale Ale<\/a> – which I first tried in college. It was a flavor oasis compared to the Busch Light that my college roommates would typically consume every Friday.<\/p>\n So I say to homebrewers that have never lagered… if you have a spare fridge or freezer, you should try it. Not coincidentally, I’m working on a programmable (and automated) Arduino temperature controller which can probably be made for less than a typical temperature regulator<\/a>.<\/p>\n Also, it seems light lagers<\/a> are gaining some ground in the homebrew arena. Maybe the perceived stigma behind homebrew lagering is being erased?<\/p>\n Ahh, the Internet. It’s primary usage has changed over the years, from file sharing, to pornography, to movie streaming. But one thing has always been at the fore-front: social interaction. But before the advent of Facebook, there were bulletin boards, newsgroups, and forums (some of which are still in use)… and all of these discussion… Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.foell.org\/justin\/files\/2012\/10\/292767_266615493459813_1561494834_n.jpg\" "\\"average")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\tWTF does all this have to do with Beer?<\/h2>\n
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