Homebrew in Doha
Hi all!
Here at home I often brew my own beer. It's a hobby really - the results aren't really all that impressive and it's cheaper to just buy from the store.
If possible, it is a hobby I'd like to continue when I arrive in Doha.
Can someone advise me please:
1) Is it legal (My beer is only for my consumption; it would NEVER be for sale - it takes too damn long and I'm selfish! ;) )
2) Would it be culturally offensive in any way
3) If the answer to both of the above is no - will having the necessary equipment/ingredients shipped to me cause problems at customs
Thanks all for your honest opinions and insight!
u mind inviting me for a sip??? :P
... the wine I used to brew in Saudi seemed to ferment so fast, in the heat on the roof, I often served it straight out of the Jerry can within 2 weeks of starting it off! (no time to bottle it before guests arrived ) ;P
for new expats in Kuwait in the late 70's (and probably still is) was the souq.
Two dustbins (one for beer and one for "mash"), 16lb of sugar, honey, mollasses (Kirbirg I think) and yeast.
It wasn't illegal to brew in Kuwait for your own consumption but if you were caught transporting it you were accused, not illogically, of selling it.
Are they honestly going to come breaking down your door? Come now.
Your only obstacle will be assembling your kit and getting the stuff you need. If you're serious, send stuff to yourself in installments. Bottles, hoses, funnels heaped in one box are a sure sign of naughtiness. But a box with hoses only... well, who knows what that could possibly be... just an example.
But what the hey-- experiment with what you can find locally. You never know. Date malt could be fun. You can also buy honey here.
Creativity. Ingenuity. Finding workarounds. Solving problems with unusual materials or methods, MacGuyver style. That's what makes expat life so appealing to me (^^).
You know, I betcha if you had the urge and the patience to do so, you could spend time going to the souks and finding the pieces you needed to set up your homebrewing. A piece here, a piece there. Could be fun. It would give you something interesting to do.
Thanks all for your comments - I'm glad I asked. It is certainly not my intent to break the law or offend anybody.
if you do.
Date malt makes good lager and molasses/honey makes a reasonable beer ;-)
It's illegal and religiously/culturally offensive.
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Some are Wise ... Some are ...Otherwise
Its illegal to brew anything at home even if its for personal consumition.... Dont even ever think of doing it here in Qatar...
If you can't change your fate, change your attitude.