Beer brewing proves to be recession-proof industry

wnct.com ^ | February 17, 2009 | Laura Phelps

[IYAS9YAS]

In Wisconsin you're allowed 200 gallons/person in the household. Poor record keeping and an exhaustive quality control regimen makes prosecution difficult.

Most states, and the Fed allow up to 100 gallons of beer and/or wine per household for one adult (200 gallons per household if there are two adults in the household).

The Feds don't like stills they can't regulate. Home distilling is basically illegal in the eyes of the Fed, unless you've asked the Fed's permission and paid the Fed's fees. Personal production of beer, wine, and distilled spirits per the Fed.

Wisconsin law allows fermented beverages (beer and wine), but there is no allowance in WI law for home distilling. Be careful out there.

[ATLDiver]

I’ve been brewing for the last three years, at this point my next step is a ‘very’ small microbrew business. I’ve been toying with trying to actually sell my stuff but I’m not there yet.

It’s amazingly simple and fairly inexpensive to produce better than commercial beer. The key is getting into a good process and making sure your methodical from a sanitary standpoint. A starter kit can be had on various homebrew sites and local stores for about $120.00. That will allow you to start doing 5 gallon batches with limited space but if you want to lager, you’ll need a dedicated fridge or freezer converted to maintain lager temps.

If you’re even remotely interested in homebrewing, pick up a copy of The Complete Joy of Home Brewing by Charlie Papazian.

[SamAdams76]

Why would that be totally incorrect? Seems to me that people who drink beer would drink it whether there is a recession on or not. It’s not as if beer is a luxury. In fact, beer drinking likely increases as it is cheaper than drinking fine wine or expensive bourbon and whiskey. Not to mention that beer is one of the easiest alcoholic beverages to make in your own home.

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[IrishPennant]

I prefer to brew for personal consumption - delivery is risky:

[gorush]

"Be careful out there. "

My addictive personality requires that I stick with the fermented beverages...I stay away from the brown stuff.

[lormand]

It looks like the Pope likes hefeweizen.

[Radl]

My son is a graphic designer for a large beer distributor. When the economy is going smooth the bars and other outlets don’t need to push their beer. For the last month or so he has been getting hammered at work. Bars are asking the salesmen for banners to push the products. I thought the same as you but my son will tell you, as he told me, that beer sales slow down during a crappy economy.

[grey_whiskers]

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

NO cheers, unfortunately.

[JoeProBono]

[The SISU kid]

Beer ping!

[GOP_Raider]

Beer Ping!

A low to medium ping list aimed at all of us who, well, love our beer…

FReepmail rzeznikj at stout or GOP_Raider to be added or struck from the list…

[Diana in Wisconsin]

You betcha. I’m predicting I’ll sell more than the average number of Hops plants and grapes this upcoming spring at the garden center. I ordered in books to sell on making both wine and beer at home.

Strike while the iron is hot, Baby! I know I, myself, will be doing more home brewing this year. Cut out the middle man; the job you save may be your own! ;)

[knews_hound]

Lots of brewing knews lately.

I cannot agree more with some of the other posters, for a hobby, brewing beer cannot be beat.

For the same amount of time spent watching a football game, you could make 5 gallons of beer.

Wait, what am I saying?  Who says you cant do both at the same time?



On or off the Homebrewers Ping List, let me know.

Cheers,

knewshound

Homebrewing 1A (Homebrewing for beginners)

Homebrewing 101 (for experienced Homebrewers)

[nina0113]

While beer consumption is down by a few percentage points,...

Actually, it's just the PURCHASING that's down by a few points, since I started brewing my own.

[Lurker]

I’m predicting I’ll sell more than the average number of Hops plants

My Liberty and Goldings are doing pretty well. The Fuggles sadly didn't make it past the second year.

My neighbors are amazed when they see those hops growing well over 25 feet tall by July!

[gunnyg]

Just How Drunk Can Ya Get?????

[BJClinton]

For the same amount of time spent watching a football game, you could make 5 gallons of beer.

Just top be clear, the two are not mutually exclusive. My Sundays are/were spent doing both. Although I recommend pausing the game while boiling the malt, cleaning up a boil over is a nightmare.

[ATLDiver]

Are you an extract or All-grain brewer?