One way it helped me see the difference between the two sites was to consider this HB site about the production of beer, while the other site is about the consumption of beer, and beer-related artifacts.

As noted, there will be some overlap, since homebrewers are both producers and consumers of beer. E.g. discussion of beer storage temperature and how long a beer lasts once bottled, would be relevant to both sites, although on the homebrewing site, the discussion would also include typical homebrewing equipment, such as corny kegs, which aren't used much outside of homebrewing and rarely encountered by the typical beer consumer.

One question on the proposed site, "How much of an impact does the water (minerals/quality/distilled) have on a beer?" struck me as possibly off-topic for that site, since it's mainly a production issue - a consumer cannot change the water used to brew the beer, and the impact of water and water chemistry in brewing is heavily discussed here since it is primarily relevant to brewers and not consumers. (Although an understanding of why breweries produce the beer they do because of the nature of the local water may be considered beer appreciation.)

Beer styles are occasionally discussed here, but typically from the perspective of brewing that style (e.g. process+recipe). Visitors are assumed to be aware of the BJCP or similar style guidelines as well as the basic differences between an ale and a leger. Yet, beer styles is very pertinent to beer appreciation and would be a good topic on the proposed site. Discussions of different breweries, beer history, nomenclature are also off topic here, but would be great questions on the proposed site.

Given that focus of the two sites is mostly distinct, I would keep the two sites separate. I would certainly contribute to the new site.

One way it helped me see the difference between the two sites was to consider this HB site about the production of beer, while the other site is about the consumption of beer, and beer-related artifacts.

As noted, there will be some overlap, since homebrewers are both producers and consumers of beer. E.g. discussion of beer storage temperature and how long a beer lasts once bottled, would be relevant to both sites, although on the homebrewing site, the discussion would also include typical homebrewing equipment, such as corny kegs, which aren't used much outside of homebrewing and rarely encountered by the typical beer consumer.

One question on the proposed site, "How much of an impact does the water (minerals/quality/distilled) have on a beer?" struck me as possibly off-topic for that site, since it's mainly a production issue - a consumer cannot change the water used to brew the beer, and the impact of water and water chemistry in brewing is heavily discussed here since it is primarily relevant to brewers and not consumers. (Although an understanding of why breweries produce the beer they do because of the nature of the local water may be considered beer appreciation and worthy of mention on the proposed site, but any advanced treatment of the subject should be served by this site.)

Beer styles are occasionally discussed here, but typically from the perspective of brewing that style (e.g. process+recipe). Visitors are assumed to be aware of the BJCP or similar style guidelines as well as the basic differences between an ale and a lager. Yet, beer styles is very pertinent to beer appreciation and would be a good topic on the proposed site. Discussions of different breweries, beer history, nomenclature are also off topic here, but these also would be great questions on the proposed site.

Given that focus of the two sites is mostly distinct, I would keep the two sites separate. I would certainly contribute to the new site where relevant.