How did you start in brewing?
i came to homebrewing as an herbal pharmacist - i began brewing herbal wines and meads for health benefits. as i began to learn about the vitamins in beer and recipes for healthful beers, i added that to my brewery. now i brew a large selection of healthful brews from nettle/dandelion/burdock beer - high in iron, to oatmeal/hops ale for insomnia and nervousness, as well as medicinal meads and tinctures.
I started when I was 18 in University in Canada (that was the legal age then) after being shown by one of my faculty mentorsand have brewed ever since. That was 33 years ago. Living in the US now it easily makes my one of the senior brewers... Curt.
A friend of my introduced me to homebrewing (Mead) at a Mead Day. I have also helped her with some pumpkin beer which was excellent. I would be extreme interest in brewing the herbal types of beer and meads. I find the posting from ICKYSBREWHAUS very interesting.
When I got to college my roomates and I decided to make a batch of limoncello (italian lemon liquor). The process is very simpled compared to beer but I figured if that turned out so well why not try beer. So I borrowed some equipment my dad had from his try at brewing and I haven't looked back ever since.
I live in (what is often referred to as) the microbrew capitol of the US. Always had access to great beer so I never worried about making it. Ended up going to Chicago, then Norfolk, both had absolutely horrible beer selection. Their "quality" beer was Foster's or Killian's. I was told years ago about homebrewing but never took it seriously. Since I couldn't find GOOD beer, it was time to see if I could make my own.
I remember seeing an ad for a homebrew shop in Virginia Beach, so I paid him a visit. $95 later I walked out with a kit. Held onto it for a year, almost put it up for sale. Figured I would make ONE batch and sell it. That batch turned into over 100 gallons, over a dozen fermenters, and 10 kegs.
Did extract for 2 years then I got the Royal Flush in Vegas and won 4000.00 and then bought a b3-1550 from beer beer more beer
Back in college a roomate claimed to be a master brewer. Most of the stuff he made was alright. A few years later I figured it would be a fun hobby to take up with my brother. Although our beer isn't great yet, it's better than anything I drank before 
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My father used to brew when I was younger, when after I started work, several friends brewed as well. It just seemed like a natural thing for me to do. Now, I enjoy the process and the really good beer.
I've been huge fan of obscure beer for years, and someone told me about a "brew on premises" store near my office. So, in 1999, for a little over a hundred bucks, I brewed up a couple batches. (a delicious honey porter and less-than-ideal amber ale).
I soon discoverd that I could do it myself for MUCH cheaper than at the BOP.
I've been brewing at home ever since.
I keep thinking about trying that amber ale again ... just to redeem myself. :-)
DaveSlash
My brother in law sent some from CA. before a visit a few years back and as he puts it he created a monster after that. i have been brewing ever since.