I think every man has to decide for himself when his beard's a beard. It's all up to you. Closely related, of course, is when he feels 'bearded'- when he moves from being a guy growing out his beard to being a bearded guy. For me that happened the night, while lying in bed, that I couldn't get the sheet out from between my face and my pillow, only to realize moments later that it wasn't the sheet after all, it was my beard.


Some helpful links:
Library Central of Beard Growing


Taming the Wild Mustache
Tips for eating and drinking with a big mustache

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
A jerk with a beard is just a bearded jerk, but a bearded gentleman is awesomeness personified. ~ Triibeard