Today’s post is from 2013 about the title Brewmaster, while I say in the post I’m self trained I learned a lot from working with the crew at Big Boss.

I get asked it at least once or twice a week “Are you the Brewmaster?”

To which I always reply “No, I am just the lucky guy who gets to make beer around here.”

People will smile and nod, but they have a quizzical look in their eyes. Sometimes they press further then I try to explain. I don’t have enough experience to justify the title. I liken it to the difference between being a Chef and a Cook. It is not that I don’t possess talents in the brewhouse, but at best I am at the Journeyman level if we look back to the trade guilds of the past.

Another element of the title is the role of education. Traditionally a Meister should have a degree in their field of expertise. I am largely self taught. Not that this is unusual in the brewing world. Because of that I have some book hiding in my bag about beer, last month it was more technical Hops by Stan Hieryomous, this month it’s more social with Man Walks into a Pub by Brown. The key is I am constantly learning. 

So besides experience and school, what else may it take to accept such a title? One route could be to enter contests and gain recognition by peers for the quality of my beers. While there is nothing wrong with such an approach it alone would not be enough. 

In the end I think what makes someone a Brewmaster is they have trained and taught their craft to others. The process of teaching others reenforces your own knowledge base. It also makes you take a closer examination of the trade and your understanding of it. Shepherding others to appreciate and respect the craft is not easy work. 

Jiro Ono said in the documentary of his restaurant “Once you decide on your occupation… you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That’s the secret of success… and is the key to being regarded honorably.”

Perhaps one day I might be regarded as a Brewmaster, but for now I am a Pub Brewer trying to master a craft.