So my husband makes beer

I definitely reap the benefits of having a home brewing husband besides the obvious one of having my favorite tasty flavors on tap within my own home.  Here are a few others that might not occur to you, in no particular order.

1- Keeps him off the golf course.

Although I am not convinced it is any cheaper than an afternoon of golf after you factor in brewing books, the Brew Magic system, countless spigots, hoses, carboys, flasks and other various equipment.  It may be a toss-up.  At least at the end of the process, he has something he can share with me besides a couple of raunchy jokes his buddy told him on the golf course. And, he can do it rain, shine or snow. Yes, he brews outside in the winter. He’s manly.

2- Saves me from having to shop.

I don’t really enjoy going to the mall or the grocery store for that matter. So, being able to give someone a homemade gift of a sampler six-pack of Moreland Brewing beer with cool personalized labels or a bottle of his Moreland Sparkling Wine is just plain fun in my book.  Especially, when a knitted beer cozy is added.  That reminds me…

3 -Gives me an excuse to knit stuff.

Not only do I look for projects beer related like coasters and beer cozies, it gives me time to slip away to the knit shop to hang with my Knitting Peeps. Yes, I have Peeps. Yes, we call each other our Knitting Peeps. No, I do not think this is strange.

4- Provides a great source of gifts to give him.

Sometimes it can be hard to come up with something personal, unique or thoughtful to give him as a gift. Not that he makes it difficult on me.  I just want to make sure it something that reflects just how much I love him. You know, like a shiny stainless steel cart with wheels to roll out to use as a work surface. Or, a wheeled organizer with a million little bins to store his supplies in. OR, get this – having a hot/cold water spigot installed in the garage for brew days. Yeah, I know. I’m a cool wife. But really, he makes my favorite beer, Bunjie Brown Ale so it’s a good deal.

5- Encourages us seek out fun festivals.

We have had a ton of fun checking out Microbrew festivals or Homebrew Festivals. Rain or shine, it is a day to spend together walking, talking and hanging out. We always seem to find something interesting to eat and talk with fascinating people.

6- Gives me something to blog about.

Note paragraphs above and below.

7- Inspires him to be creative.

Home brewing is really cooking meets science. The new recipes he designs are quite technical and he uses a computer program to keep track of everything. The process itself might remind you of your days in science lab class and the smell of the Bunsen burners.  Stuff sometimes even explodes! Although, that is not supposed to happen and can be quite messy if it involves your fancy curtains in the dining room. Don’t ask.

8- Bragging rights.

Like I really needed another thing about him to brag about, I have quite a nice stack already.  But, it sounds really impressive to respond to an innocent inquiry from a friend who asks what the husband is up to today to be able to say:

“He is brewing up another batch of Moreland Oktober Fest to get ready for the Fall season.”

“What’s that involve?”

“Oh, using malt, straining grains, measuring specific gravity with the hydrometer, sanitizing washers, spigots, carboys and flasks. You know, the usual stuff.”

“But, it’s 15 degrees outside. “

“I know, he’s manly and besides I had a hot/cold faucet installed in the garage.”

“Oooh, you’re a cool wife.”

“Yeah, I know.”

9- I can take pictures of his hops vines.

10 – It makes him happy. Need I say more.