Would you work at BMC?

They merged?

 

Sure. You gotta start somewhere- like Dan Carey who's now the co-owner and brewmaster at New Glarus.

 

I would if and it would not be selling out to me.

Some of their products are the hardest to brew beverages going - I don't care for the beer itself, but I totally respect the engineering that goes into the product - hell Mitch Steele of Stone came from Budweiser. From the interviews I've read/heard, craft brewers tend to give the brewmasters at these places a lot of credit for their technical chops.

 

Sure. Why not? I don't have to buy what they're selling. (Would you turn down a job at a dairy just because you were lactose intolerant?) You'd be surprised how many Fords are parked in the employee lot at the Chevy plant i worked at a few years ago. Work and pleasure are two different things. FWIW, the employment agreement I signed prohibits me from buying my company's product (CFTC regulations).

 

No, I wouldn't. But then, I wouldn't take a job as Brewmaster anywhere. It would suck the fun right out of brewing.

 

Even if you got to make what you wanted? I could understand if your work was just following recipes.

 

I think the 'getting to make what you want' (and when you want) idea isn't realistic in a business (despite claims to the contrary in so many BA magazine brewery articles). But sure, if it were really possible, then yes, I'd do it.

 

Worked for Mitch Steele...so yeah I would.

 

Sure I would take it, I am sure they have a good compensation package at that level.

Of course, those are not entry level positions.

 

It is true that it is not realistic, but every day I wake up, I love my job still. It is a challenge and it is frustrating at times, but brewing is still a lot of fun for me and many other professional brewers. There is nothing cooler than walking into a grocery store and seeing a six pack that you brewed being purchased. Now, with our pilot batch system, I do get to brew what I went, whenever the fermenters are free (which basically means whenever I want since we have 4 small batch fermenters).

 

Absolutely would take it. What better place to hone your skills and truly master brewing? Like others have mentioned, it would be the perfect springboard that could help you launch your own brewery further down the road.

 

I agree with this completely. Friend of mine became an assistant brewer a few months back, and the job has sucked all of the fun out of homebrewing at this point for him.

People ask me when I am going pro, and my answer is "never". The only way I see my hobby becoming my business is if I open a homebrew shop.

Thinking about this, BMC might be different enough since everything is automated...so it would be nothing like homebrewing. Apparently (from what I have heard) there is a big group of homebrewers who work for AB in St. Louis.

 

Maybe not as a brewmaster, but perhaps as a lab analyst, where I think I would have more to offer and a better chance of breaking in. In fact, in some of the more discouraging moments of my current job searching, I have been tempted to chuck my academic career aspirations and apply for such a position. In general, I think I could expect modest wages, shorter work weeks, but less time off overall (no typical academic calendar breaks).

 

Yes. Access to so many brewing related toys (Spectrophotometers, GC/LC-Mass Spectrometers, etc.) I would love it. Also, learning about all aspects of production and QC measures, coupled with brewing on such a massive scale would be incredibly interesting and fun. Hours wouldn't be a concern, as my current work week is usually about 80 hours.

 

Sure. If they wanted to pay me, I'd work for them. It wouldn't affect the beer that I drink at home, and most of the brewing there is pushing buttons anyway.
I actually met a couple of Bud brewers at a cask fest last year. They were actually cool guys with an appreciation of good beer. Both of these guys said they were hoping this would lead to either a job with a craft brewer or starting their own at some point. They also said that they occasionally get to brew 'good' beer on a small pilot system at the brewery.

 

...in much the same way that becoming a Rock Star would suck all the fun out of sex and drugs. I hear ya, bro!

 

Well, after 15 years in food, I still enjoy the odd day that I get to cook something cool at home, even though most of the time I'm pretty happy with a ham sandwich. I bet they offer a better benefits package, as well.

 

I would love to have a brewing job, I would find that more fulfilling and fun than my current employment.