What makes a homebrewer advanced?

[DirtyOldDuck]

What many of you describe as advanced - pretty much knowing a lot about all aspects of brewing - can probably be better labeled as "expert." There are many people on HBT, including some of those who have already posted in this thread, that I would consider advanced homebrewers even if they aren't experts on all brewing related subjects and don't consider themselves as advanced.

 

[unionrdr]

Aaaw,c'mon,I'm blushing...

 

[mikescooling]

To me it's like saying all the different levels of being a cook then at some point you become a chef and that job is more management.

 

[stratslinger]

...many would consider me advanced. I consider myself a homebrewer just like everyone else.

Gotta love this - the guy even has a yeast named for him, and just considers himself "a homebrewer just like everyone else."

But I get what he's getting at - in a sense, the question itself is a little bit silly. Why get hung up on "what is advanced" and "what is intermediate" or whatever? Just get out there and keep brewing! The more you brew, the more you'll learn, and hopefully the more your end product will improve - and that's all we're all really aiming for, right?

 

[Varmintman]

I am guessing and from the replies here, who cares.

1. From the very first batch we are better at brewing than the majority of people simply because we made beer.

2. When we make beer we share it with friends and such. How many people can say here try a beer I made for you. Again this elevates us above those who do not brew.

3. We can go as far as we like into the process of making beer like conicals and such but is the beer any better than the one in my hand. Nope and I made beer.

4. As long as I like the beer I make who cares what others think of my ability I made beer:rockin:

 

[JohnnyO]

I'll throw my $.02 in as well.

Like others have said, the term advanced is all relative. There are so many people who are just learning about brewing or just doing their first batch or two. For that person, most anyone who posts here who knows half of what they're talking about is advanced.

That being said, I've been brewing for a little over four years now. I've learned some things. I understand and continue to push my brewing knowledge. But I only know so much as to benefit my beers. Can I expound upon all of the science behind it? No chance. For that reason, I consider myself an experienced homebrewer and not and advanced one.

 

[AnOldUR]

I've been in metalworking for over 40 years. On forms that ask for occupation I use to look for fancy titles (tool and die maker, CNC technician, programmer, shop foreman . . .) For the last 10 year or so I've simply written in "Machinist".

Same thing with this hobby. I'm a Homebrewer, just like the rest of you. No need for any further description. This isn't a contest. It's a hobby.

 

[BrewLocal365]

If I were to come up with a technical definition for myself (i.e., what I would one day like to achieve), it would be to know enough to brew the same recipe 10 times at 10 separate locations around the world, using 10 different equipment setups (sometimes a cooler as a MLT, sometimes the kettle, sometimes decoction, sometimes access to a stir plate, sometimes not, etc.), 10 different water supplies, 10 different LHBSs for ingredients and supplies (including probably substitutions). If I could produce the same exact beer 10 times under that scenario, so that in a blind taste test no one could differentiate, that be my gold star.

 

[unionrdr]

Speaking for myself,I'm just trying to learn as many ways to make beer as I can. But spend whatever time is needed to get good at that level or step. Then move on up. Then try another beer style I haven't done yet,different yeast,hops,etc. Adding things as I go along that I need to make things,easier,faster or better quality in general. The more I brew,the more I learn. ha. The brewinator! Just wanna get my brews the best they can be. but not to be called a pro or anything. But being called "that go to guy" was kinda gratifying. We all like to feel useful ya know.

 

[Denny]

Nice one.

The great Jethro Gump used to close every HBD post he made with "The more I know about beer, the more I know I need to know more about beer".

 

[passedpawn]

The answer to the OP's question lies somewhere along this path. You be the judge. ( Although I thought TyTaniums response was the best)

I've got the keezer and the microscope. Woohoo, looks like a conical fermentor is in my immediate future. I'm stoked!

 

[AnOldUR]

Some of the things you'll need to be considered "advanced":

$1400.00

$6300.00

$2450.00

 

[unionrdr]

I still think one doesn't need $10,000 worth of equipment to be "advanced". Just make great beer out of imagineering & study. My 2c anyway...

 

[Bobby_M]

The closest thing to advanced I can come up with is demonstrating that you understand the basics enough to repeatedly put out high quality, commercial level beers. Meanwhile, when something goes wrong, you can attribute it to some shortcut you took that you knew you shouldn't have. Most importantly, it's the realization that you never really know anything.

Talking about some imaginary skill level tiers is mostly irrelevant, but in reality, the homebrew community has its fair share of dick waving. How many entries is the AHA expecting this year? Personally, I don't have any goals of being labeled an authority on brewing or being highly regarded like that but having one of my beers place on the National stage is something I do look forward to.

 

[unionrdr]

Yeah,I guess there is some oneupsmanship involved here as well. Can't avoid it. Fathead's brew pub has a beer comp around here I might enter some time. Depends on if I have what I think is a great beer ready in the fridge in time. At least the entries can be dropped off local. Might be fun...

 

[passedpawn]

I still think one doesn't need $10,000 worth of equipment to be "advanced". Just make great beer out of imagineering & study. My 2c anyway...

Right, I was just goofing with that picture above. I do think it's cool though.

 

[AnOldUR]

I still think one doesn't need $10,000 worth of equipment to be "advanced". Just make great beer out of imagineering & study. My 2c anyway...

Yeah. I haven't been homebrewing for as long as some of you, but came in when it was still more of a DIY hobby. Everyone sharing ideas and skills to make the best beer possible for a reasonable amount of money. My opinion; if you spend that kind of money on a brew system, you're not a Homebrewer, you're a really bad businessman.


A MoreBeer catalog came in the mail yesterday. Good thing I was reading in the bathroom. Some of the prices made me $hit. :cross:



edit to ask:
Do people really buy that stuff or is it just there for show?

 

[Varmintman]

My LHBS guy was really pushing me to enter a cream ale last summer. He was certain I would have won but I have no urge to enter comps or have people fawn over my beer. I brew my beer for myself and I think the definition of a advanced brewer should be "One who looks forward to and enjoys drinking his own beer"

Besides it was ten bucks to enter and I make 6 gallons of it for ten bucks. I could have a award on the wall or another batch in the fermenter. Guess what I chose

 

[unionrdr]

Right, I was just goofing with that picture above. I do think it's cool though.

Yeah,I know. But see the response below for my sentiments every time I look at that cool bling...

Yeah. I haven't been homebrewing for as long as some of you, but came in when it was still more of a DYI hobby. Everyone sharing ideas and skills to make the best beer possible for a reasonable amount of money. My opinion; if you spend that kind of money on a brew system, you're not a Homebrewer, you're a really bad businessman.


A MoreBeer catalog came in the mail yesterday. Good thing I was reading in the bathroom. Some of the prices made me $hit. :cross:
My response as well...smelled of rotten pmpkins stuffed with dead carp.


edit to ask:
Do people really buy that stuff or is it just there for show?

 

[matteroftaste]

i think there is a lot of modestly in this thread and whilst this is a good thing, i do think its ok to consider yourself advanced. to me an advanced homebrewer is one who is competant enough to complete a beer on his/her system without having to reference a book or the internet. Or someone who can reasonably predict an outcome based on the input variables. Someone who is no longer a novice, and more than merely competant.

that said, does it matter? i have been brewing and studing brewing for two years now, i wouldn't call myself an advanced homebrewer, but i might allow myself to be called a confident homebrewer. hopefully in two years i will be an accomplished homebrewer.

 

[Braufessor]

I agree with the common thought of "you can always learn more/you are never done improving" - But, if I had to identify the hallmark of what I think an "advanced" brewer is -

CONSISTENCY. When you get to the point that you can nail a recipe time after time after time and turn out the same great product, when you can brew a beer and KNOW which variable you need to alter next time to get the beer you want, and then do it ...... To me, if you can do those things - you are an advanced brewer. Not to say that you can't get better, but you have reached the point where you are better than the vast majority.
This is my goal..... If/when I attain it, I will feel comfortable with the "label" of advanced.

 

[VladOfTrub]

To me, an advanced brewer is the person that realizes that if it wasn't for the Great Magnet giving them the ability, health and strength to make beer. They'd be nothing.

 

[5B-brewing]

Consistency is definitely a goal.

"Experienced" instead of "advanced." That is a good reframe.

 

[AnOldUR]

Consistency is definitely a goal.

"Experienced" instead of "advanced." That is a good reframe.

Na. Someone could have 20 years experience brewing with Mr Beer pre hopped kits. :cross:

(pc edit: not that there's anything wrong with that)


My old boss had an expression about some of the people coming in looking for jobs, "20 years experience, one day at a time."

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

I try not to make claims about being an "advanced" homebrewer...

...but I've fed a LOT of yeast in my day!