Updates

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. – Benjamin Franklin

Welcome to the Basement Brewing Blog! My newest endeavor in blogging and homebrewing.

Who are you? Why should I listen to you?

Before we get started on this journey together, I figured I’d take some time to introduce myself. My name is Alex. I am 27 years old and live in Overland Park, Kansas. I’ve been brewing for about a year and a half as of the writing of this post, but I have been blogging a little while longer. In fact, blogging is more or less my profession.

I decided to start this blog for two reasons. First of all, I realized there aren’t many great content outlets for beginning brewers. Sure, there are plenty of books with the basics and some popular sites with TONS of content (Beersmith is a personal favorite,) but I felt like there was a lack of content out there for one of the quickest growing hobbies in the country.

My second motivation for starting this blog is a little more selfish: I retain information better when I write it. And I don’t mean simple scratch or notes, I learn better when I have to craft long-winded prose. Be prepared, my posts will probably be long.

As for the second question in the header: “Why should you listen to me?” Well, you probably shouldn’t. I’ve only made 10 or so batches in my homebrewing career, and I have no competition medals or even great beers to my name. But I’ve got a little experience, and I’ve already learned so much from others sharing their experiences with me. I figured if I can write a blog and help someone, somewhere make a kickass batch of beer, why not?

Why is it called Basement Brewing Blog?

Well, this seems pretty self-explanatory, but I brew in my basement. Also, I like alliteration. Semi-pro writing tip: You want people to remember something? Use alliteration. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

My modest basement brewery (in all its messy glory)

What Homebrewing Content Can I Expect?

I have several types of blog posts I’m planning to write in the coming weeks, months and hopefully years. Here are quick rundowns of each:

Brew Lab

These are my experimental recipe posts, and the name is borrowed from my favorite local homebrew store/workspace, Brew Lab. If a post is labeled “Brew Lab,” that means these are my own recipes, and they’ve probably never been attempted before. I’ll share the experience of designing the recipe, brewing (step-by-step,) fermenting and eventually tasting. I’ll even share the detailed recipe so you can try it yourself – AT YOUR OWN RISK. I’ll occasionally go back and add updates if I decide to change the recipe in the future.

Beginner Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, especially me. Think of these posts as warnings of what NOT to do. I’ll share my story and anything you should do to avoid making the same mistakes.

Brew Basics

These are posts about any new technique or skill I have learned, so we can improve as homebrewers together.

Reviews

Occasionally, I’ll splurge and upgrade my little basement brewery and post reviews of my new equipment. I’ll also review kits and popular recipes on their ease of use and taste.

Updates are basic posts and random musings that don’t fit into any of my established categories. If you follow the blog, you’ll see I really enjoy trying new beers so I may even occasionally share something I really love.

As the blog grows *knocks on wood*, I’ll continue to expand and add new types of content. Have any suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!

A Quick Note on Comments

Like I said above, everyone gains from people sharing their knowledge with each other. Brewing beer should be like drinking beer: a social experience you share with your friends.

So please, share, ask questions and discuss in the comments on every post. I won’t be posting every day (or every week) but I’ll try to be as involved in the discussion as possible.

That being said, leaving comments open on a blog can also be a double-edged sword. Trolls are everywhere. I hope I never have to enforce this, but I will have a strict no-trolling policy in the comments.

This means no spam and no trolling, please. Trolling can include anything from intentionally giving false advice to demeaning anyone else in the comments. If you do, you’ll have to pay the toll.

And that troll toll is removal from my blog. I’ll do everything I can to keep trolls away.

Please, just be respectful, guys. We’re all learning and becoming better brewers. The world can always use more delicious beer. Don’t be the reason a homebrewer quits and robs us all of what they may create.

Brew Happy

Welcome once again to Basement Brewing Blog! I hope you enjoy what you find here.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@BrewingHappy) Instagram (basementbrewingblog) for the latest!