[thirsty]

Went to a friends house over the weekend. He is a great guy, always telling me how good my beer is, even that it's better than what we can get at the local micro-brewery (ok I don't think it THAT good, they make some really nice stuff).

I brought some of my own and he had a selection of Sam Adams brews. We both had two glasses of my stout, and then had a glass of the Sam Adams stout.

As I was drinking it, I thought to myself "This is good, but mine is better."

[jmcamerlengo]

Went to a friends house over the weekend. He is a great guy, always telling me how good my beer is, even that it's better than what we can get at the local micro-brewery (ok I don't think it THAT good, they make some really nice stuff).

I brought some of my own and he had a selection of Sam Adams brews. We both had two glasses of my stout, and then had a glass of the Sam Adams stout.

As I was drinking it, I thought to myself "This is good, but mine is better."

THAT is why I brew...one of the best feeling of satisfaction Ive had

[denny]

I have to admit that I don't often think my beer is better than some of the best commercial beers out there.  But I usually like it better, and I think that's due to the fact that I brew it for my tastes.

[jmcamerlengo]

I have to admit that I don't often think my beer is better than some of the best commercial beers out there.  But I usually like it better, and I think that's due to the fact that I brew it for my tastes.

Exactly, but sure is nice when others agree!

[firedog23]

Because I critique the hell out of my beer and want to dump it all before it is time to drink it yet my friends and some other people ask for seconds.

That's why I brew.

[BrewArk]

Because I critique the hell out of my beer and want to dump it all before it is time to drink it yet my friends and some other people ask for seconds.

That's why I brew.

+1

[madscientist]

Because I critique the hell out of my beer and want to dump it all before it is time to drink it yet my friends and some other people ask for seconds.

That's why I brew.

This.

[Slowbrew]

I have to admit that I brew for me.  It's a creative outlet and I like my beer better than most commercial beers I have had.  If my friends and family appreciate it great, if they don't then I really don't care.

That may sound selfish and it probably is but I'd still be brewing even if no one ever complemented my work.

Woodworking and cooking I do for others.

Paul

[euge]

I like to drink beer. Making it myself sets me apart from those that do not. When drinking beer that I made it can be said that no one else is drinking a beer exactly like this. Anywhere.

And I go through it pretty quick with my unquenched thirst. Have to brew or I will run out.

[Pinski]

Agree with all of the above.  I also really enjoy learning about the variety in taste and style preferences of my friends and family. They're all over the place; girlfriend loves the pils, old roomate digs the Schwarz, guys at work want the oatmeal stout and IPA. I love 'em all. Even if I don't really dig a beer, it's helps me understand something I've done wrong or things I don't appreciate about ingredients.

[bo]

My wife won't let me buy beer so I sneak out in the garage and make my own. She'll never figure it out.

[DrewG]

Because I critique the hell out of my beer and want to dump it all before it is time to drink it yet my friends and some other people ask for seconds.

That's why I brew.

Yup.

[JKL]

I agree that there are tons of commercial brews that are better than mine but generally I only buy new stuff for inspirational purposes these days.  I began brewing in my late teens because I thought I'd save money? Of course we know that's impossible. In my twenties, I brewed just to brew.  I thought quantity was cooler than quality. Now that I'm in my late thirties, married with 2 kids, I'm lucky to brew when I can. When I do I want to brew the best beer I can. I've become very meticulous in my process an thanks to forums like this my beers are a million times better than when I started this obsession.  I suppose "I brew" because it's one of the best feelings to handcraft a recipe and hit all your numbers.  2nd to that is walking out of the beer store empty handed because you can't find anything better than what you have at the house.
-JKL

[erockrph]

I started brewing because I love beer. Understanding he process and ingredients just gives me a better appreciation for the beer I drink.

Also, I have a big creative drive, especially in the kitchen. Whenever I try a new recipe I almost always tweak it right from the first try to make it better suit my tastes or give it a new twist that interests me. That's a big reason why I got into brewing. I don't think I'll ever set out to brew a "better" version of a beer I love, but I will definitely take them as inspiration to build beers that interest me.

[hopfenundmalz]

I brew now to make the beers we want to drink.  Lagers have become more and more of the yearly list.

We have lagers that are fresh and do not have the staled taste we get in imported German lagers.  Those are great drinkers in the summer. We will get our tastes recalibrated on an trip to Germany in the coming months.

Another reason to brew is to make some beers that are not available.  A CAP?  How about a Graetzer? Those have turned out "yummy".