^This for sure. I always end up feeling awful because one question can take a few minutes to answer, and the following face is one of confusion. I'll always answer the initial questions of "how do you make beer" or "how long does it take" with the question "how in depth do you want me to go?" That's at least a way you can get an indication of how interested they are on processes, malt, temp. control, etc. Then I'll adjust my answer accordingly.
These questions come about over homebrew anyway, so I'll usually stick to explaining that particular beer. I really try to limit my answer, because I could literally talk all day with someone about beer.
I struggle with "can you make [insert beer name/brand here]" questions. "Yes, yes I could. No, no I won't." Just because I can make something like a miller lite, doesn't mean I will. Although, it would be a cool challenge to try and get it to come out as consistently as the bigwigs....digressions.
On the upside, I've made bmc converts because of some of my hb beers. My neighbor was strictly bmc, now hell come to drink my apa or IPAs on tap. He now seeks out these beers to buy at bottle shops. My pastor digs my porters and stouts. I'm still working on him to get a brewery going in the church, but he wont budge on that. A friend of mine is begging me to make my DIPA again, and is wanting to start homebrewing just to try and make it. I told him I'd show him how. This evens out some of the silly questions.
