Thanks for all the well wishes everyone! I have heard people say over the years they "don't want to turn a hobby into a job" - but I guess that is what I did twenty years ago when I turned art into an education and subsequent career. I still enjoy it all these years later and can fall back on it if necessary.
As far as brewing goes, one of the best parts about brewing for me is when other people are impressed by my beer (that's second to the actual beer itself - the drinking part
). Art is very, very similar. Artist want people to appreciate their work - and that is kind of the point I am at with my beer. That may sound corny, but it is the way I feel about it. I'm looking forward to brew days - not looking forward to clean-up or kegging. The good news is I have a couple of partners so I don't have nearly as much on my shoulders as I would had I been setting out on this venture alone. I really do get to concentrate on the brewing, which will be fun.
If this doesn't work (which I am well aware it might not) I have a few other things I want to try and the luxury to have the time to try them. But I am going to give this a go for at least a year and see what happens. Can't wait to fire up that mash, I really can't!!