[denny]

I get a little freaked out about being considered an "authority".  What I really am is an experienced homebrewer, who has read, studied and brewed a lot, passing on what I've learned in the hopes that people will find something of value to help them enjoy the hobby more.

[Fitzwise]

Nice article. I agree the reason I got into homebrewing was I didn't like the beers being put out by the big guys so why would I want to do Everything that they do. If it wasn't for experimenting with different ideas we would be drinking kool aid. It's the old saying "Don't mock it till you try it.

[homoeccentricus]

./

I get a little freaked out about being considered an "authority".  What I really am is an experienced homebrewer, who has read, studied and brewed a lot, passing on what I've learned in the hopes that people will find something of value to help them enjoy the hobby more.

You are just an opinionated hippie, right ?

[denny]

./

I get a little freaked out about being considered an "authority".  What I really am is an experienced homebrewer, who has read, studied and brewed a lot, passing on what I've learned in the hopes that people will find something of value to help them enjoy the hobby more.

You are just an opinionated hippie, right ?

Well, I think that's obvious...

[dmtaylor]

I was actually a little bit surprised when I heard him play ukulele and sing..... probably shouldn't have been too surprised but I still was.  I was entertained to say the least!   

FWIW (nothing), I myself play the guitar poorly and sing kind of well or at least I like to think so. 

[denny]

I was actually a little bit surprised when I heard him play ukulele and sing..... probably shouldn't have been too surprised but I still was.  I was entertained to say the least!   

FWIW (nothing), I myself play the guitar poorly and sing kind of well or at least I like to think so. 

Dave, I'd like to thank you for your grace in calling that singing.

[dmtaylor]

Seriously, I'm sure you'd fit right in with the Traveling Wilburys. 

[denny]

Seriously, I'm sure you'd fit right in with the Traveling Wilburys. 

Aren't they dead? 

[dmtaylor]

I think they still got one guy.  And you, if you wanted to join.

[Phil_M]

What about homebrewers who don't view these things as rules? Is there a place for folks who just love brewing, learning old way and new ways? Sharing what seems to work or not work? People who view this purely as a hobby and dont really get a thrill out of proving things and winning arguments or putting wrong people in their place? Those kind of brewers don't really view guys like Marshall, Denny, Drew, Gordon, Jamil, John, etc etc as Authorities to be obeyed. Or acknowledged as such.

Does there always have to be a right and wrong, winner and loser?

Just my personal perspective, but it seems like if you get angry because some mentions a stirplate, or a protein rest, or your blood pressure goes red-line because an anonymous person claims to have a secret way to get an indescribable character... ooff! Relax a little, maybe.

Yeah. You'd almost think there was only one way to skin a cat.

If there's one thing I'm gathering from learning engineering, it's the ideal never applies. You have to understand all the science behind the activity, but also understand that what may appear to be the least "scientific" way to operate may be the best for that particular application. I'm trying to follow the same thought process with my brewing. S. Cerevisiae taught us the science behind yeast, but how I've applied that has been tailored to fit my situation. (I still use Star San.) That's but one example, but I feel it's an important concept to understand.

[toby]

Seriously, I'm sure you'd fit right in with the Traveling Wilburys. 

Aren't they dead? 

Only 2/5 of them (George and Roy).

[dmtaylor]

Seriously, I'm sure you'd fit right in with the Traveling Wilburys. 

Aren't they dead? 

Only 2/5 of them (George and Roy).

Dylan ain't dead yet?  Guess I'm more of a Jakob Dylan kind of guy.

[toby]

Dylan ain't dead yet?  Guess I'm more of a Jakob Dylan kind of guy.

Nope, Bob's still around.

[HoosierBrew]

Nope, Bob's still around.

Yep, Petty and Lynne too.

[skyler]

That article made me think about the crotchety homebrewer who slavishly decocts and secondarily ferments and everything. I imagine opposite sides at an AHA rally with no-sparge multi-ethnic hipster 23 year-olds of both genders on one end and old white men on the other with signs that say "MAKE BREWING GREAT AGAIN!"