Keith is right.
But the question is HOMEBREW master. Quite different from the tangent some went off on.
I think of the Texas holdem adage -a few minutes to learn, a lifetime to master. It just takes more than a few minutes to learn.
To me, it would come off as extremely arrogant to refer to yourself as homebrew master. It is for others to refer to you that way. Obviously it carries much more credibility depending on the source.
The AHA forum has designated me a “Brewmaster”…
It’s okay Keith
It really is boiling down to semantics now. Personally, I don’t care what people call themselves. Some of you have some pretty awesome beer out there. I know, because I’ve tried it. I’m just trying to give a little insight into how this is viewed in the industry. But, even as a homebrewer I was always quick to point out that I didn’t consider myself a “brewmaster” for the reasons I mentioned above.
Not sure why anyone’s discussion on here would be downgraded to a “tangent”, but whatever, dude.
Never. Always learning.
Letting everyone be called a “brewmaster” is like little kids getting trophies for “participation.”
Well I just got a promotion in my brewery.
I was promoted from Brewer to Keg Wrestler.
I just call myself a Dumb Homebrewer!! The key is to set the bar low…thus people’s expectations are also low. Once they taste my beer their expectations are exceeded and it makes me and the beer look great! Calling yourself a Homebrew Master is just setting yourself up for failure when someone doesn’t like your beers.
I completely agree. Using titles like “brewmaster” or “homebrew master” seems to imply a level of arrogance and conceit. I would prefer to let my beer speak for me, and reserve the use of titles for people who have completed the formal training. One other poster mentioned the “doctor” analogy. How many of you would trust your life to a “doctor” that had been practicing medical treatment for an extended period of time, but had not completed medical school? Personally, I want to see that diploma on the wall!
I guess I’m going against the grain here but here goes. I have never called myself a brewmaster, but I have been introduced by friends as"the brewmaster". My homebrew was the first good beer(according to them, not me) they ever had, the beer that introduced them to craft and got them off the Bud Lite tit. I’ve had quite a few friends take up brewing after drinking my beer.
I don’t think I need to have a formal degree in brewing science, I think that after 21 years of brewing I’ve accumulated enough knowledge and experience that 9 out of 10 beers I brew are damn good beers. just like Punatic and fishing, experience counts in brewing also.
Dredging up an old topic to simply say that these days, many years after this initial post, there is a program that designates ‘ranks’ for the homebrewer. The Master HomeBrew Program has a systematic set of criteria to advance to Grand Master.
I say that to say this: this past weekend the AL Brewer’s Cup posted its scores. With a Belgian Single I scored well enough to achieve the MHP rank of Master (20 beer, mead, or ciders scoring 38+). I started in 2024 as a Novice, advanced thru Apprentice, Proficient, Recognized, Distinguished and midway thru 2025: Master. 1.5 yrs of brewing competitions. Additionally, I am 1 Munich Dunkel away from achieving Jack of all Trades (scoring 30+ in each of the 41 categories of beer, mead, and cider). I sent it to one competition Monday and will send it to another this coming Monday. I think it will do well.
If you’re not enrolled in MHP (it’s free if you don’t want the badges), I recommend it. Our club pays for each club member. You and your friends and family can think your beers are pretty good. I know I did. However, getting my beers in front of judges, having to score at a certain level consistently across many styles, I now know I have met their criteria to be called a Master Homebrewer. I am 7 short of Grand Master level 1 (43+ x 10).
The feedback isn’t perfect, there are human errors, and hiccups. But overall, I used the judge’s comments as a quality control continuous improvement feedback loop. In my opinion, it’s a great way to improve.
Cheers!
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Congratulations!
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When do you call yourself a homebrew master? Never.
Zombie Thread - It’s alive! 
And I find the MHP to be interesting - it’s not my bag of malt, but the gamification attraction is strong with how it’s setup. For the people who dig it, it definitely motivates their brewing and improvements.
Are competition wins the measure of a brewer?
slowly backs out of room
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Depends on the sample size. Luck, good and bad, gets neutralized at some point. But I will say that you have to be more than just a good brewer to compete There’s a whole other set of skills involved.
This from someone who does not compete.
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They are a measure of a brewer, but far from the only one.
There are a lot of different ways to enjoy this hobby. The master brewer program is one of them and I think that is great.
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