Beer Radar
By John Krüger
The beer that changed my life.
Continuing our series of “The beer that changed my life” this month is one of our favourite beer experts from the United States and prolific beer author Charlie Papazian. The godfather of homebrewing coined the phrase “Don’t worry, relax, have a homebrew” which has been used as a mantra by homebrewers worldwide to the point where online forum members regularly quote the acronym DWRHAHB and t-shirts and coffee cups bearing the letters are available for sale.
“For sure that prohibition style homebrew I had in Charlottesville, Virginia changed the course of my life. I was a student at the University of Virginia when a neighbor of a friend went down to his basement to “get the good stuff,” a year old pale homebrew. I marveled at the clarity, color, foam and unique character. It was way more interesting than any of the cheap beer I was buying then, back in 1970.
I was made to realize that I could make my own beer. So I began my journey down the path that leads me to here and now.
Another real head turner: Aecht Schenklera smoked Bamberg lager. It was sent to me by a homebrewer who had just returned from Germany. At the time in 1978 I had not visited Europe yet. And my first German Helles and Pilsener was also in that package. None of these beers were anything like imported German beers that were available.
I was beginning to realize something was amiss here. Why couldn’t we get real European quality beers in the USA? They brewed stuff especially for the American market – or it was so old that it didn’t generate any beer drinker excitement.
It became clear and all the reason why homebrewing was essential. You had to learn how to make it. Then make it in order to get authenticity. I had a lot to learn. I traveled to the UK in 1981 and learned the foundations for brewing authentic English ales, stouts and real ales.
Homebrewers had been brewing stouts and the wisdom was you had to wait many months for the beer to mellow out. A real head turner was Guinness Stout and other Irish and English stouts, brewed, smooth and ready to drink in 10 days! I listened to brewmasters tell me their simple knowledge.
I cast away most of the English homebrewing books of the time. They had much bad information and perpetuated myths. It was time to translate pro brewing techniques to small scale homebrewing. Thus emerged my Complete Joy of Homebrewing 1984 original edition.
My head continues to turn and beers continue to change my life.”
*Many thanks to Charlie for his help in this article
