This month’s Fermentation Friday topic (hosted by CNYBrew.com) is “Remember why we brew?”:

Whether it’s the inflated sense of independence that the smell of mashing malt brings or just some image of yourself as a beer artisan that brewing creates, I want to hear about it. No limits here, it can be what started you down the path, or what inspires you to lug 15 gallons of water out of your basement at 7am.

Wow, where do I even begin? There are so many reasons why I brew.

I suppose one of the main reasons, at least for why I started brewing in the first place, is that I have a constant need to create. It’s why I brew, cook, write, sing, play piano, sew my own Halloween costume… You name it. The act of making something out of nothing is one of the most gratifying and rewarding experiences I can think of.

I also love to learn, and with brewing, there’s always more to learn. I’m incredibly excited that Tim and I are attending the American Brewers Guild in 2011. It’s going to be an amazing experience that will hopefully help us refine our processes and increase our wealth of brewing knowledge.

With learning comes improving, growing, expanding, new processes, new equipment, new recipes, new ideas… Talk about exciting!

There’s also the fact that Tim and I are planning to open a brewpub. But that more answers the question, “Remember why we brew so often?”

Then there’s the obvious reasons. The beer that we make tastes great, and we get to make it exactly how we want it. The process of making beer is just plain fun. There’s a unique sense of accomplishment when you can do something that not many others can do.

In addition to all of this, the community of brewers is an amazing group of people. I’ve never met a brewer I didn’t like (okay, except for maybe one… or two…). And I’ve met a lot of brewers. Brewers are always eager to exchange tips and tricks of the trade and to geek out about beer. We’ve made quite a few friends along the way, and hope to continue to make connections throughout the brewing community.

When all is said and done, the reason I brew beer is because I’m passionate about it. Obsessed even. One day recently, I looked down at the pint of homebrew I was holding, and said aloud, “This is my purpose in life. I know this is why I’m here.” The previous few pints of homebrew I had had may have coaxed me into saying that, but the sentiment was true.

And that, in so many words, is why I brew.