Why is homebrewing a family value?

     With all of the great beer blogs out there, why another one? Why the fuck not, you know? My name is Rob Landerman, husband, father, brewer. I have been a homebrewer for 6+ years, now brew professionally, and I feel like adding to the conversation, helping to explain why beer and brewing are valid and necessary parts of American society.
     This isn't going to be a blog solely about homebrewing, but will rather focus on many different aspects of beer, brewing, and their places (read: importance) in our lives. I do not aim to aggrandize nor over simplify these themes, so bear with me as this is obviously in a very infantile state currently, and I have yet to get in a groove. (I'll take this time to name drop...) If you're looking for a more established beer blog with a clearly defined path, please check out my good friends at Beer Town Austin, Craft Austin, My Last Pint, Texas Beer Blog, I Love Beer blog, and Texas Girls Pint Out, amongst a trillion other good ones.
   Having said that....
     Why "Homebrewing Is A Family Value?" Simply, because it is. The basest principles of homebrewing are:

• cleanliness
• education
• understanding
• patience
• responsibility
• respect

    These are the same principles we aim to build our communities upon. The communal gathering of homebrew clubs can, and should be translated to the home and family. Gathering as a family or community to make, discuss, and drink beer together is, for my money, the best way to build togetherness. The relaxing effect of beer, the conversations started from the mere experience of tasting, and the communal pride of sharing knowledge and anecdote is a beautiful thing. Teaching our children that it is fine to drink beer, that it is not taboo but rather a healthful part of our day, gives them a greater understanding and respect of it. In my home we treat it like the food that it is, not like a porno magazine. There is no shame in drinking or sharing it with your children.

    When you look at homebrew clubs, competitions, educational programs, communal brew sessions, and the beer bar of today, it's like looking back in time when beer was a deep rooted part of society, that social lubricant that loosed good folks' tongues after a long day of work and gave them common ground to walk on. Homebrewing has helped, to me, revive a part of society we have been missing for a long time. The folks I know that brew, or just drink in appreciation and awe of this artfully crafted beverage, are some of the best I've ever known, and if this big surly country had more of 'em, perhaps it'd be a bit better of a place. Homebrewing is a symbol of community and good standing. (Believe me, I know some homebrewers are know-it-all dicks, but that's where patience and respect come in...) Next time you crack open a cold coffee-raisin-tofu-saison, or whatever your newest abstract self expression is, revel in the company you share it with. 

Stay tuned for less poorly written persuasive essays!

-Rob