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Post by Leftympfrmde on Oct 3, 2020 16:36:07 GMT -6
We talked about this is a similarity titled thread.
But, continuing from last year, getting off the sauce for the month of Oktober. as far as the why? deferred gratification, and get the body a hard reset. It isn't as difficult as I initially thought; the first weekend (this one) is usually the most PITA part; breaking force of habits, etc. Spent the day in the garage, cleaning, building more shelves, and general duties around the house. if nothing else, taking the month off really boosts my productivity.
this doesn't mean production in the brewhouse has come to a complete halt; on the contrary.
Last week, made an Alt, which is quietly lagering at the moment. Today, made some yeast starters for the yeast bank and a helles for next weekend to make after a LHBS run. Tomorrow; making a ten gallon batch of lambic.
going food shopping last week, noticed the price of seltzer has gone thru the roof locally; unsure why- that's the vice of choice during these reset periods. So, having the ingenuity only a homebrewer could have, did a little research on how to make the stuff! Super simple: 5 gallons filtered water, 5 g of calcium carbonate, chill, put on 25 PSI. mimics that fancy mineral water in the green bottles.
also, After this, I drop about 10 lbs, which is a added bonus.
Come November 1st, those beers are going to taste SO good.
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Post by drez on Oct 3, 2020 17:27:10 GMT -6
Good on you! I would love the 10# reduction for sure. I plan on slow down October and November, not a complete stop but a good reduction in intake.
Seltzer here is usually 10/$10 for litter bottles. We go through a lot since my son and I love it.
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Post by Ken on Oct 3, 2020 20:06:26 GMT -6
Yep, good on you Lefty. I agree... November 1st beers are going to be delicioso.  |
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Post by OldMan on Oct 3, 2020 20:34:53 GMT -6
We talked about this is a similarity titled thread. But, continuing from last year, getting off the sauce for the month of Oktober. as far as the why? deferred gratification, and get the body a hard reset. It isn't as difficult as I initially thought; the first weekend (this one) is usually the most PITA part; breaking force of habits, etc. Spent the day in the garage, cleaning, building more shelves, and general duties around the house. if nothing else, taking the month off really boosts my productivity. this doesn't mean production in the brewhouse has come to a complete halt; on the contrary. Last week, made an Alt, which is quietly lagering at the moment. Today, made some yeast starters for the yeast bank and a helles for next weekend to make after a LHBS run. Tomorrow; making a ten gallon batch of lambic. going food shopping last week, noticed the price of seltzer has gone thru the roof locally; unsure why- that's the vice of choice during these reset periods. So, having the ingenuity only a homebrewer could have, did a little research on how to make the stuff! Super simple: 5 gallons filtered water, 5 g of calcium carbonate, chill, put on 25 PSI. mimics that fancy mineral water in the green bottles. also, After this, I drop about 10 lbs, which is a added bonus. Come November 1st, those beers are going to taste SO good. Homemade electrolyte water eatclosetohome.wordpress.com/2016/06/19/homemade-electrolyte-powder/ |
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Post by Leftympfrmde on Oct 12, 2020 9:45:43 GMT -6
Day 12 and still dry; had one of those brew sessions that makes you want to quit last night- had a relay start to crap out the last 20 minutes of the boil- lost control of the element, where it would go full bore (akin to dialing in your flame, then it goes full blast without touching it) touch and go and baby sitting the kettle. Somehow, hit my numbers, post boil volume and gravity.
If I were going to have a beer or two, it would of been after this session. My stubbornness has it merits.
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Post by Ken on Oct 12, 2020 9:54:39 GMT -6
My wife is doing Sober October too. We have a habit of biking on the weekends and we have some spots we can get to where we would have a beer, etc. So for the past two weekends it's just been me drinking while she has Pellegrino or something. I respect it but I can't help being all...  |
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Post by jayb151 on Oct 12, 2020 11:50:31 GMT -6
MY wife and I are trying to make more of a global lifestyle change. After drinking basically every night for the last decade, I've decided to only allow myself to drink on the weekends. My wife is trying to go even less. I'm really an all or nothing kind of guy, so if I allow myself to have a drink, I'll for sure have at lest one. If I say I can't drink today, I can stick to it. it's been 3 weeks and we're doing pretty good. I might actually drop my COVID-15.
I also had two new breweries open extremely close to me. But at least I get to check them out on the weekends.
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Post by Leftympfrmde on Oct 13, 2020 6:55:59 GMT -6
MY wife and I are trying to make more of a global lifestyle change. After drinking basically every night for the last decade, I've decided to only allow myself to drink on the weekends. My wife is trying to go even less. I'm really an all or nothing kind of guy, so if I allow myself to have a drink, I'll for sure have at lest one. If I say I can't drink today, I can stick to it. it's been 3 weeks and we're doing pretty good. I might actually drop my COVID-15. I also had two new breweries open extremely close to me. But at least I get to check them out on the weekends. That's a good attitude to have. COVID-15- first time hearing that one! But I'm sure that's happened to alot of folks. The whole idea of taking some time off the sauce is more a preventative maintenance approach; beer is good, we all love it here- but it beats the tar outta your body. Good brewing buddy of mine got the "gotta quit the booze" talk from his doctor first week of the month. He didnt get into details. But he's in his early 60s, and in relatively in good shape. He did mention he drank everyday after work, not in excess for 30+ years. I know one of our guys is going thru something similar. |
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Post by Ken on Oct 13, 2020 7:15:03 GMT -6
Yeah, Covid-15 is new to me. I originally heard it as "Quarantine 15". |
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Post by Leftympfrmde on Oct 23, 2020 5:52:32 GMT -6
Home stretch at day 23. It's all downhill from here.
Noticed some things:
Energy level and sleep quality has really improved. Always had sleep issues, sense I was a kid; and the decade of night shift probably doesnt help. I average about 6 hours of sleep- a barely touch melanoidin- maybe once every couple of months, but a more restful sleep.
I'm down 12 lbs as of this morning. Also cut out a lot of carbs and been more active at work, which all adds up.
Just counting the days for a tall glass of beer- its gonna taste that much better. There's an alt and Rauchbeir waiting to be tapped in the keezer, a oatmeal stout fermenting, and a RIS being made on Sunday.
I really gain an appreciation of all the planning, time and craft that goes into beer making during these self inflicted dry spells.
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