[kgermino]

>This is literally unsolicited advice.

I read it as his friends viewing him as someone with brewing experience and asking questions. Which would literally be 'soliciting' his advice...

[ska]

Ah, yes, it is plausible that I was being too literal minded and it was merely grammatically awkward with a different intent.

I usually wouldn't comment but I think many here are not native English speakers (so might appreciate it), but more telling the setup appealed to my sleep deprived brain. Always perilous, amusing yourself.