Are you married to your process and system? If so why?
--Not especially. As a fairly new brewer, I am willing to try different techniques if I think they will improve my beers.
Why do you do the things you do in brewing?
--It's they way I have learned though trial and error, research, and asking for advice on these forums, and from some local breweries.
How do you know that some of these processes are the only way?
--I don't think they are the only way, but what I have been doing has made some pretty good beers IMO. There are many ways to skin a cat.
Have you ever made a warm ferment lager? If not how do you know it won't work?
--I have not made one, but may give it a try and compare it to one fermented at traditional lager temps to see if I can tell a difference.
Have you ever tasted a warm ferment lager? If not how do you know what it tastes like?
--I have not tasted one to my knowledge (see answer to previous question).
How often do you change the way you brew?
--I am a fairly new brewer, and have changed processes several times, going from no temp control, to temp controlled fermentation, adjusting my brewing water, going from extract to all grain, moving late addition hops to a hop stand and using considerably more hops, etc.....
How willing are you to change the way you brew?
--I will make changes if I see a benefit to doing so.
Have you tasted every grain in your LHBS?
--I have not tasted every grain they have (they are sister company to a local brewery, so have a large selection), but I do taste the grains I plan to use for a beer prior to actually using it.
What is your pony in this conversation anyways?
--I don't have a dog in this fight. I'm following the conversation to see if I can pick up things to improve my brewing.
Do you trust the way people brew?
--Why wouldn't I? If I didn't, I would not ask for advice from other home brewers. Every one does things there own way, and I am willing to consider all options before making a final decision.
Why does the beer someone makes have to be the best?
--The beer someone makes doesn't have to be the best beer in the world, just the best beer they can make. I brew my beer for myself, and my friends. I want to make the best beer
"I" can make. I cook professionally, and to me it's a pride thing. I want to make food that I am proud to serve, and I want to make beer that I am proud to share with my friends. It's probably not the best beer in the world, but it's the best beer I can make at this point in time. That being said, I am entering two beers in a competition in October. Do I think I have any real chance of winning, or even getting any type of medal? Probably not, but I want the feedback to learn what I can do to make my beers something that I can be proud of. I have a lot to learn still, and this is one way to do it.
If your process is turning out beer that you enjoy, and that you are proud of, then what you are doing is right for you, and if they way I or some one else brews makes beer we are proud of, then that process is right for us. As I said, I have not been brewing that long, but I look at it like a lot of other things in life...what I am doing is working, but I am willing to consider other options if I feel it will make an improvement.
Sorry to ramble on man....Cheers and brew on