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Edcculus · 06-16-2009, 10:20 PM

I'm almost positive there has been a thread about this, but I can't find it. After several people called me out in the Craft vs Real beer thread about my "beef with the term HOMEBREWER", I thought I'd go ahead and start the thread.

So, what do you like better: Craft Brewer, or Homebrewer? I know this is kind of a strange debate, since our namesake here is "homebrewtalk". In my mind, "Homebrewer" gives images of someone fermenting sketchy beer in the bathtub. On the other hand, Craft Brewer denotes someone who takes time to create a quality product.

If you listen to Craft Brewer Radio, you have heard Graham talk about this a lot. He brings up a good point. A lot of us can brew as good, if not better than the "pros". Why short change ourselves? Do you really need to make a living from brewing to be a Craft Brewer?

blowmax10 · 06-16-2009, 10:27 PM

To me the term Craft brewer means a professional - and me brewing 5 gallons of beer in my garage has nothing professional about it

boo boo · 06-16-2009, 10:29 PM

I voted craft brewer, but I really don't care that much to split hairs between homebrewer and craftbrewer. I guess when it comes down to it, I've passed what I call the homebrewer stage and am doing craft beer that is homebrewed.

carnevoodoo · 06-16-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edcculus

I'm almost positive there has been a thread about this, but I can't find it. After several people called me out in the Craft vs Real beer thread about my "beef with the term HOMEBREWER", I thought I'd go ahead and start the thread.

So, what do you like better: Craft Brewer, or Homebrewer? I know this is kind of a strange debate, since our namesake here is "homebrewtalk". In my mind, "Homebrewer" gives images of someone fermenting sketchy beer in the bathtub. On the other hand, Craft Brewer denotes someone who takes time to create a quality product.

If you listen to Craft Brewer Radio, you have heard Graham talk about this a lot. He brings up a good point. A lot of us can brew as good, if not better than the "pros". Why short change ourselves? Do you really need to make a living from brewing to be a Craft Brewer?

I will stick with homebrewer. We brew at home, and while some of us make good beer, there's a LOT of homebrewers who make crap. By calling yourself a craft brewer, you're just raising yourself above the rest of the people, and that to me sounds really elitist and silly. And honestly, if you're talking to someone, do you say, "I'm a craft brewer" or "I'm a homebrewer"? I say, "I make beer."

It is just a label, but I'll stick with what I am, what people like Charlie P. and Jamil are, and what we really do. If its good enough for them, its good enough for me. If you find there's a negative connotation, change it. I hope you're really not that worried about a label. Just do what you do and enjoy it.

**mrk305** · 06-16-2009, 10:49 PM

I voted don't care. I typically call my stuff homebrew. I, too, save the term craft brewers for the micro-breweries. I have a cooler and a turkey frier and I brew at home. It is real good beer, but it is homebrew.

avaserfi · 06-16-2009, 10:59 PM

As in the other thread I prefer the term Artisan. It sounds fancier

. Aside from that, I do far more than just brew.

Edcculus · 06-16-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avaserfi

As in the other thread I prefer the term Artisan. It sounds fancier

. Aside from that, I do far more than just brew.

Hey, I like that!

I'm going to play devil's advocate here:

I've brewed some pretty damn fine beers. I've brewed some absolutely horrid beers. I'm sure all of you have done the same. It seems like you are discounting yourself and your skill. "I'll dally in this hobby, but I'll leave it to the pros to make the beer I actually want to drink". I'm not saying I want to stop buying commercial beer. Just because I mash in an Igloo cooler, boil on a turkey fryer and ferment in a bucket doesn't make my beer worse than someone with an "system".