I realize I cannot possibly have a motivation listed above for all scenarios, but I was just
curious as to when you are brewing what you MOSTLY are striving for.
Me, I brew with the best possible ingredients I can get using tried and true methods
and don’t care really about much else…If the beer resembles a commercial variety
then that is a plus as a sideline…altho some tasters of my beer prefer unique different styles.
That being said, this methodology results in very good beers IMHO.
Denny I clarified that commercial beer line for your benefit
First, as in now, I want to make very drinkable beer, using good ingredients, and reasonably simple techniques. (Partial mash) Then I am going to build a system and try and make very drinkable beer using AG. As I gain experience I want to start making my own versions, as well as accurately replicating more challenging existing beers.
And sometimes I do…when I brew my Rochefort 10 clone, that;s what I want it to taste like as much as possible. But when I brew the Rye IPA, I’m going for my own unique thing. And then there are the time I just grab some stuff from my inventory and throw a beer together.
I am currently trying to work through brewing classic styles. I started this journey as a method to familarize myself with malts, yeast, hops, ect.
After brewing all of these styles I hope to have a good idea of my ingredients to start formulating my own recipes. I do rebrew occasionaly with changes to the BCS recipes to see how the change affects the flavor…
While it is very important to me to brew a great beer with the best ingredients, I am all about developing my own recipes and style. One thing I think we can all agree on is that home brewing, regardless of the driving forces, is one hell of an adventure!
As a beginner, I am trying to emulate/clone commercial brands. I feel that once I can get them right, I can start to formulate my own recipes and making the best beer I can with the best ingredients I can get.
The first three on the list are my objectives in no particular order. Depends on the beer I’m brewing at the time.
Since I like to compete, I’m usually trying to emulate a BJCP commercial example of some sort.
But I have to say IPA’s are becoming a regular in my house as of lately and that will change as the seasons change.
Oh I didn’t read this as specifically clones. The first option is what I voted, but I interpreted it as striving to brew beers that are as good as commercially available beers, not cloning them. I want my beer to taste just as good as anything I can get in the store, if not better. Some of it is better, I think, but some of it lacks something. Which is why we continue to brew; we strive to improve our craft and make better beer all the time. The beer that I don’t like quite as much is still pretty decent beer.
Try to make the best beer possible with the highest quality ingredients available… While I do try to emulate commercial examples from time to time, I’m more concerned about brewing what I like, regardless of what style it fits in.
I haven’t made a clone beer since going all grain. My second batch ever was an EG clone kit of Pete’s Wicked Ale from “the Beer Nut.” Then I went to all grain brewing. Sometimes when fomulating a recipe I will think of my fav commercial offering and I will check to see if there’s any ingredient info on the brewers website but that’s it. Otherwise brewing, for me, is like a chef standing in front of a spice rack dreaming up new combinations.
best beer possible with the highest quality ingredients available!