"Joy" is a really good way of putting it! It makes very little difference what it is that you are brewing, and even making wine, very similar in so many ways, give a certain sense of accomplishment and pleasure.

First, there is the learning experience. There are few people who brew beer, root beer, or wine that honestly knows what they are doing at first, unless they've had the advantage of watching or helping a brew master. Some of what is learned is hit and miss, some is common sense, and some can be learned from various sources, but regardless of from where the information comes, you are still learning. This is satisfying in itself, but coming across "little secrets" can add to that pleasure, and some of those are discovered as you go along.

Then there are the wonderful aromas. Whether it is in the mixing of hops, yeast, and malt, or working with a wine must, there is a very nice yeasty smell, similar to that of fresh baked bread and yet slightly different. More of this aroma is released as the beer or wine is "working".

There is a challenge, to put everything together in the right quantities and sequence, to let it work the proper amount of time, and to bottle the result at the right time and in the right way. This may not be all that difficult, but timing means a great deal, and knowing that you did it right is very rewarding.

After careful aging, there is the taste test, where you actually sample what you've created. You don't have to be a beer or wine drinker to get a lot out of this. Simply close your eyes, smell the earthy scent of the product, and drink just enough to allow your tongue to catch the subtle blending of flavors. And when doing this, know that YOU did it! Do not get discouraged if every batch isn't "good"...there are a lot of things that can go wrong. But even this is a learning experience.

The greatest joy, of course, is when someone else sips the result of your labors and raves over how good it tastes. This is the thing that spurs all artists; the writer loves to hear how much their work is appreciated, the painter feels the same way when a person loves their painting, the musician plays for the pleasure of others, and beer and wine making are no less an art, albeit of a different sort. So the entire process produces joys, culminating in the praise as others truly appreciate what you've wrought.

Happy brewing!

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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