Since the evolution of humankind we have developed the amazing ability to use tools in everyday life. With that ability, we have invented ever more complex and brilliant tools: the wheel, the light bulb, nuclear power, spacecraft, brewing equipment.
Don’t shift Blame
When things go well, we as humans are the first to step up and claim accolades for a job well done. However, when things go wrong, we have a tendency to protect our egos and shift blame to someone or something else, like our equipment.
In some cases this may feel justified, like when a machine breaks down. But even in that case, you have to ask yourself: why did the machine break down? Was it really the machine’s fault, or was it something we did (press the wrong button) or didn’t do (forget to lubricate a bearing)? The answer is far more complex than we anticipate and the root cause is often hard to pinpoint.
Know your Process
When it comes to brewing, the same applies: you could be the world’s best brewer and have the best recipes, but if you don’t understand the process and don’t use the equipment properly, you run the risk of a bad outcome.
For example, you may be lautering and have your sparge rate far too high without acidifying your sparge water, causing the pH to rise too high, which can introduce tannin’s and astringency into your wort. This would likely result in a poor product, but if you didn’t understand the process or perhaps the flow control system on the water supply you may be tempted to blame the whole thing on “the piece of junk lauter tun” or even something else, when in reality it was the process or the execution of that process that needed improvement.
Be honest and learn
It’s important when encountering difficulties and failures that real learning happens. And I mean “real learning”, not blaming the easiest and first thing that comes to mind, but being truly honest with ourselves and thinking hard about the process and our own role in that process. Sometimes we may not have the answer, and that’s OK, no one’s an expert in everything.
Talking to others and asking them about they way they do things may give insights and identify shortcomings or advantages about the process we use. Honest communication is the key.
Don’t make the mistake of blaming the fry pan (and waste money on a new one) when a simple lesson for the chef would have done the job nicely.