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Calvinfan1 · 10-18-2009, 01:43 AM

So I was doing an inventory of equipment in my garage and noticed how I've advanced my craft over the past two years. It got me thinking....what qualifies someone as a novice brewer, an intermediate brewer, and an advanced brewer? Is it all-grain brewing? Constructing your own brewing sculpture? Going from bottling to kegging?

I doubt there's a right answer...but what do you think makes someone a beginner, intermediate, or advanced brewer?

Conodor · 10-18-2009, 01:59 AM

I would say amount of times you brewed would determin Your level.

I've been brewing over 4 years. All grain and kegging. But I've only brewed 9 brew days. With 6 in the last 6 months.

In years, equipment and quality of my last 6 batches someone would think I'm advanced.

But in experience I'm a noob. I feel you need batches under your belt to be advanced.

TwoHeadsBrewing · 10-18-2009, 02:15 AM

I think these factors are the most important (to me):

1. Number of years actively brewing.
2. Number of batches brewed.
3. Number of different styles of beer brewed.
4. Quality of the end product. (last but NOT least)
5. Consistency and Repeatability

I would say I'm somewhere in between beginner and intermediate. I've got almost 2 years and 70 or so batches under my belt, and have brewed many different styles. I've received a first place and a third place in the two competitions I've entered as well, and people of all walks seem to enjoy my beer. I've moved from extract to All Grain 5 gallon batches, then up to 10 gallon AG batches. I've built my equipment based on guides and ideas I've seen here and come up with myself. I think I'm on the right track.

BUT, I've got a few areas I'd really like to improve and expand my expertise in:

1. Consistency/Repeatability
2. Brew more styles, specifically Belgians, Imperials, and Lagers.
3. Recipe formulation - I want to expand the number of recipes that I have developed on my own or with very little outside help.
4. Equipment - I'd like to get a HERMS/RIMS setup to do step mashes, decoctions, etc. which will expand my brewing knowledge and repertoire.

**Nugent** · 10-18-2009, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoHeadsBrewing

Consistency and Repeatability

Here here.

I'll never consider myself an advanced homebrewer until this happens. I could easily read every book and talk a good game, but the proof is in the proverbial pudding.

Nowhere near there yet. Tryin' damn hard, though.