Pretty off-topic, but something I've always been interested in finding out from various people. During the course of a brewing session, I will typically consume 1-2 homebrews. However, I have heard from several brewers that they never drink while brewing, so as to keep their head completely clear during their brew session. So, just as a general question, who stays sober during their brewing session and who drinks during it?

WichitaBrewer

I don't drink when I brew anymore. I have either forgotten a hop addition, had a big boil over or burned the shit out of myself when I drink. I make myself a big pot of coffee because I usually brew first thing in the morning. Once the fire is out on the kettle is when I'll knock a few back.

I start brewing about 6:00 AM. Usually a Sunday morning. Beer Church.
I'll have a pot of coffee, on a rare occasion I will have a little Irish Coffee.

I've found that my beer always comes out better if I treat it with respect and don't drink and brew.

Interesting link:
http://www.churchbrew.com/index.html

I worry a bit about missing a step too, which is why I'm extremely nerdy and anal retentive labling additions of hops/grains, ect and always keep a checklist beside me. I also invested in multi setting timers and oven thermometers (w/ alarms) which helps in the QA of the brewing session. I've gone without drinking while brewing before, but have found myself taking things way to seriously, which for me actually hurt the quality of my beer. Just thought this was an interesting topic to bring up and am interested to hear what others have to say.

WichitaBrewer

I'll sometimes hit the kegorator while the kettle is draining into the fermenters, but not before that. Too many places to hurt myself or my beer before that.

Good point, Danny.

Very cool looking brewpub, Brewbuddy.

WichitaBrewer

I don't really have a set rule. Generally, I'll have one later in the process, but if somebody is over brewing with me I'll have a few more. Honestly, I'm big enough that it takes 3 or 4 beers to have an effect on me, anyway.

I usually try to drink 2-3 craft brews of the style I am trying to make while I brew. Gets me excited about the batch. I do partial boil, extract stuff so I have a little less to pay attention to. My starters are done sober though. Won't screw around with yeast, that's serious.

jpskin