“Stupid is as stupid does.”
One of the most liberating points in life is when you reach the point where others’ opinions of you no longer affect your self worth. Hopefully that point comes early in your life. If you are happy with yourself and satisfied that you are living by your own values, who gives a s*** how others judge you (or your work)?
Perhaps, in this case, the brewer may have known what the problem was, but didn’t have a means to fix it. Commercial brewers brew under different constraints than homebrewers. It’s why I only brew certain style of beers at my location. “That guy” thinks he knows f’ing everything. But he doesn’t really know sh!t. Don’t be that guy. And don’t make assumptions, either.
+like a million
Of course it needs balance, otherwise you go too far off the other side and wind up looking self-centered. But in my experience, knowing enough and having enough experience to be comfortable confidant, that’s a big thing.
Well, FWIW, the only opinions of me that matter are from my friends and family. It’s not a “self worth” thing. I’m not adversly affected by critiques. Hell, I’m also a graphic designer. Talk about people being critical!
All I’m saying is, as homebrewers, we should be careful about assuming we know more than the commercial brewer. It makes us look silly and it makes commercial brewers hesitant to interact with homebrewers.
No doubt you see how folks are often quick to criticize and reluctant to praise hard work.
I have in my office a quote from President Teddy Roosevelt, who said that “It is not the critic who counts … the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena”. I firmly believe in that sentiment.
Once I hit 60, I completely embraced that philosophy.
I know someone like this. He’s a family member, and him and I were talking about Brewing and he was very quick to point out what was wrong with my entire process, or what he thought was wrong. Just solidifed the fact that there’s more than one way to do something, and if the things he does work for him, fine. Personally I’m not gonna put any beer in a bottle that hasn’t been hit with StarSan but that’s just me.
OMG…you’re a real person!!! I thought you were just some loquacious incarnation of beer verbosity created to entertain people at the NHC. 
I try to stay within a stone’s throw of this philosophy. Although, sometimes I may get sidetracked by some negative comments, but often times I’m able to reel myself back in and avoid being drawn into such
nonsense. Avoiding this kind of exchange is condusive to my livelyhood. 
My momma always told me “You can learn something from everyone.” 99% of whatever anyone says on any topic is probably bullshit, but if you can stand to wade through the muck, everyone has a diamond or two hidden in there somewhere.
Is it possible that your partner got the wrong impression?
I understand that there is always “That Guy” roaming the earth…
But, how are good ideas ever formed & exchanged, if not for conversation.
I wonder whether “That Guy” thought there was a dialogue happening between both parties, rather than the monologue that your partner may have been seeing.
Heck…I don’t know what the conversation pertained to, but if I was talking with someone about running cooling lines & had a tip I thought might help their efficiency, I’d give them the tip…Would that make me “That Guy”?
Come one, guys. I don’t think I have to spell it out any more than I have already. The implication seemed to be that our IIPA was not brewed to his specifications. (It’s a 1.083 beer brewed primarily with 2 row, 5% sugar and 5% cara-vienne with a huge amount of centennial and columbus at WP and dry hopped with another equally large charge. At 7 bbls we use 29 lbs of hops before dry hopping. It’s also one of our most sought after beers.) All I am saying is, have a little respect for the guys who have put it all out on the line. Try not to act like a “know it all”. I think it is safe to say that since I am on this forum and the pro-brewer site everyday that I am not afraid to gather knowledge.
I might point out again that the guy hadn’t even tried the beer.
Whenever I find myself taken aback or getting defensive by what is being said, I try to remember the adage: “separate the message from the messenger.” Don’t focus on WHO is saying it, or HOW they’re saying it; instead, focus on WHAT is being said. Sadly, some people just do rub others the wrong way, and they may lack the proper use of tact and tone when asking questions or discussing their viewpoints.
Still, it is wise to treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you–not because they are nice, but because you are. Besides, if your beer is good (and everyone here says it is)–that pretty much speaks for itself, doesn’t it?
Damn Keith! I had to handcuff myself to the chair and throw away the key to keep from jumping on the next plane to Huntsville. That sounds like my kind of beer!
Maybe you could come over and guest brew at Hawaii Nui for a while…
I agree! I’d totally be all over that beer.
I just brewed it again yesteerday, it’ll be ready in 3 weeks or so. Ya’ll come.
That guy is out there and he’s everywhere. I just ignore him and don’t worry about what he has to say.
99% of the time, he’s a douche anyway.
Why get worked up over it?
Sorry, Keith…
I misunderstood & thought you were giving examples of what “That Guy” normally might inject into the conversation…
I didn’t read the text of that post to be exactly what he was saying, to your partner.
At the same time…
So, he hadn’t yet tried your beer & wanted to discuss how he’d make a IIPA differently…
Is that insulting?
Even modest folks have opinions.
EDIT:
I understand that there are negative people, everywhere.
They come in all shapes, sizes & occupations.
I guess it was insulting, but mostly I just thought it was stupid. But no apologies necessary. It’s cool.
Let me put it another way, I met Rob Widmer at NHC and I walked up and shook his hand and told him how much of the specialty beers they were serving at the NHC were extremely delicious (and, they were) and how I enjoyed seeing old pictures of his brewery because it reminded me of the stuff I was brewing on now (home made, much of it) and thanked him. I didn’t go into telling him that I thought he should call his “hefe-wezien” an American Wheat beer or that, no, I don’t enjoy many of the mass produced beers he ships across country. The guy has a successful business, way more successful than mine. Who am I to walk up and criticize him?