My name is Mike Melton and.....I am a home brewer. I reside in Tampa, Florida where the homebrew/craft beer scene is very much alive and active. I had received a beginner's beer making kit several years ago as a Christmas gift, but never got around to trying it out. I had gone to all of the trouble of saving up enough bottles for my first batch but never pulled the trigger. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of the equipment, but did try selling it at a couple of garage sales. The only interest I got was a guy that wanted to buy just my glass carboy. I told him I was selling the kit as a whole and he moved on. I guess it was fate that I was going to make beer someday. That day came - May 23rd, 2009.

Why did I decide to finally brew my first batch? Well, at one time, I was dabbling in internet marketing and the first product I developed was a "how-to" e-book on homebrewing - even though I had never done it before. That's the funny thing about internet marketing - you don't have to know much about a topic from experience. You just need to find a pain in a market and provide a solution. Anyway, as I was researching and writing this book, I caught the fever to finally do it myself.

I have brewed about 15 batches since May and am pretty much obsessed with it. I started buying books, subscribing to brewing magazines, joining this forum (thanks to all that have helped me!) etc. to feed the fire. I joined 2 local home brewing clubs and started participating in state circuit competitions (and even placing in a couple). I have done a little volunteer work with a couple of fledgling breweries in the area as well. I have met some of the coolest, down-to-earth people through this hobby and I regret not getting into sooner.

Currently, I am doing extract w/ steeping grains. Although, I am making some excellent beer this way, I have slowly been accumulating my gear to go all grain. Plus, with as much as I have been brewing, the lower cost of AG is very appealing. I currently bottle and keg. I keep 2 session beers on tap and I usually bottle condition for intra-club and state competitions. By the way, I do my best to brew a beer for each of my clubs monthly intra-club competitions. It helps to expose me to some styles that I probably normally wouldn't brew for personal drinking. My goal is to brew every style of beer at least once. The only style I have brewed twice so far is an American Pale Ale. This is a style that I like to have on tap most of the time. Yes - I am rambling a bit, but this is my passion and I could go on and on. I do feel a little like Stihler with my preaching, but again, it's what excites me.

How's that for an introduction?