[gsandel]

Is it true that Brewmaster (or is Master Brewer probably more correct) is reserved for formal training in brewing sciences?  How interesting....I never cease to learn new things about brewing, beer, and other useless facts from our community.

Advanced, old, experienced....all relative terms.  I always laugh when I hear the Brewing Network's commercial about the nerds doing the Dungeon's and Dragon's style brew sessions.....that's what I think of when the titles become important.

Folks like Charlie P. and Gordon Strong are just guys who love beer as much as I do, but have "done" something to further the homebrewing hobby (and create this wonderful environment for us to share and learn and grow)....maybe they are "masters" of the craft, but I am sure that they, like me, will never stop learning, growing, or brewing.

[dak0415]

Keith, I disagree.
If you are responsible for the recipes, production schedules, and quality control of your commercial brewery then you are THE Brewmaster.  You may also be, by default, the head brewer and chief keg washer, but I would take being THE Brewmaster of my own successful brewery over any educational credentials any day.

[tygo]

I don't have a degree in fishing, but I have been fishing since 1960, using every type of bait imaginable.   

Ok.  No one is going to call Carl on this?

I thought about it but decided to let it slide by...

[nateo]

"Brewmaster" =/= head brewer / chief brewer / captain brewer / president of barley. Calling yourself a "brewmaster" because you own a brewery is like calling yourself a doctor because own a health clinic.

[denny]

I don't have a degree in fishing, but I have been fishing since 1960, using every type of bait imaginable.   

Ok.  No one is going to call Carl on this?

I'm not giving him the satisfaction....

[bwana]

My friends and family are always shelling out compliments like "He is a brew master" or "He makes the best homebrew ever". All good to here but not true. Some beers that I make that are average they think are wonderful. It all tastes better when it is free!

[Jimmy K]

IF you were going to call yourself a homebrew master, I'd say you better own that title by having an incredible amount of experience and knowledge. Simply counting batches won't do it. You need to have brewed multiple batches in a very wide variety of styles, have good knowledge of multiple alternative homebrewing techniques (not just your own setup), be able to identify common flaws, talk specifically about the flavor contributions of different ingredients, yeast health, water chemistry. - I'm thinking that you'd need to approach Charlie Papazian levels of knowledge. Short of this you'll risk sounding like a fool.

[Slowbrew]

According to Dictionary.com:

brew·mas·ter/ˈbro͞oˌmastər/
Noun:   
A person who supervises the brewing process in a brewery.

So technically, we are all brew masters in our own brewery.  I think most people assume the name is an earned rank of some kind.  I don't refer to myself as a brew master but rather as a brewer (or hack with dumb luck  ).  If others call me a brew master while drinking my beer, I don't correct them.

Paul

[majorvices]

Keith, I disagree.
If you are responsible for the recipes, production schedules, and quality control of your commercial brewery then you are THE Brewmaster.  You may also be, by default, the head brewer and chief keg washer, but I would take being THE Brewmaster of my own successful brewery over any educational credentials any day.

Like Nateo says, it is a degree that you earn. You would be ridiculed for calling yourself a Dr. or a PHD if you did not earn the degree.

I am also chief bottle washer and I have been known to clean and unclog the toilette, too.

[Hokerer]

I don't have a degree in fishing, but I have been fishing since 1960, using every type of bait imaginable.   

Ok.  No one is going to call Carl on this?

I thought about it but decided to let it slide by...

I thought about taking a whack but ultimately didn't...

[morticaixavier]

I don't have a degree in fishing, but I have been fishing since 1960, using every type of bait imaginable.   

Ok.  No one is going to call Carl on this?

I thought about it but decided to let it slide by...

I thought about taking a whack but ultimately didn't...

I sorta thought it was complete in and of it self. sometimes the unsaid punch line is the funniest.

[bluesman]

I think this all depends on the definition of "master".

To "master" the craft...

A "master" of the craft...relative to whom?

What criteria do we use to define or draw the line in the sand?

These are all questions that may have been answered by many but it's subjective.

[jeffy]

I don't have a degree in fishing, but I have been fishing since 1960, using every type of bait imaginable.   

Ok.  No one is going to call Carl on this?

I thought about it but decided to let it slide by...

I thought about taking a whack but ultimately didn't...

I sorta thought it was complete in and of it self. sometimes the unsaid punch line is the funniest.

Or the most adolescent.

[Pinski]

I am also chief bottle washer and I have been known to clean and unclog the toilette, too.

Poomaster?
Now that was adolescent.

[punatic]

Well, I started fishing at age five, so (do the math) being called adolescent is quite the compliment!   

Mahalo nui!