My hands are cut, bruised and bloody. Loving it!

Ok, beer people. My volunteer work is in full swing. I'm nearly 15 hours deep over two days. If 15 hours of volunteer work in two days doesn't say dedication I don't know what does.  As I suspected, work at the brewery is tuff but I have loved every second of it. So far I have done some grunt work like making 6 and 12 packs and cleaned kegs. I've also been covered in beer while filling kegs and logs. Bottling operations did not go so smooth. Thursday was Hooker's second bottling run and it was a little shaky...and wet. I manned the labeler and once we got the kinks worked out we were running about 24 bottles per minute. Not bad for the second run but capacity is double that. It's been a great experience so far and I've learned a lot! 

My nails are bloody and my finger tips bruised but I'm going back for more next week. I need a few days in between to work on the craft beer job search. I'm feeling confident as a few positions have opened up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a call back. Wish me luck. I'll give you more detailed updates on my volunteer work soon. 

Most importantly, what's on tap for this weekend? Mayflower IPA! Made a special trip to MA the other day. I also picked a bottle of Magic Hat's summer seasonal, Wacko. Should be interesting as it falls into the fruit / vegetable beer category. Cheers!     

Week Two - The Search Continues

I just need a foot in the door. Sunday, the door opened just a crack. Thanks to all of you who pushed me to contact Thomas Hooker. I heard back from the owner and all signs point to GO! My first day of volunteer work is 05/20/09. They just brought all bottling operations in house and they're looking for someone to man the line. I can't get him to tell me what time to show up but I'll be there bright and early, eager to lean all that I can.  

As for the actual job search, I knew it wouldn't be easy but I'm up for the challenge. As I mentioned in my last post, there aren't a lot of craft beer jobs in Connecticut. Actually, there are not a lot of craft beer jobs period. What the hell did I do? I need the old job back! Just joking. Its only been a week and a half and I remain extremely positive despite my Harpoon rejection. As I suspected, they're looking for more sales experience. Doesn't drive, determination and passion count for anything anymore? I think it does but I just need to get in front of the right people. As for other leads, one of my favorite breweries in MA is looking to fill a Sales Rep position. Positives - experience not required and they're willing to train. Negatives - the sales territory is Boston and that would be a horrid commute from Hartford no matter how you look at it. What the hell, no harm in sending a resume. I'll worry about the negatives when I need to. As for other leads, I don't have any but I'm looking to create a few. Today, while sitting in the sun people watching and drinking a cold ice tea (ahhhh), I created a list of breweries and brew pubs who I'll be contacting regardless of their hiring status. I've always been told persistence pays off. I'll let you know if that holds true in this case.    

By the way, if you haven't watched the "I Am A Craft Brewer" video yet, do it now. This video shows everything that is right about craft beer. Watch, listen and think about what they are saying. In my opinion, the American Dream still exists. Raise your glass to craft beer. Cheers!    

I Am A Craft Brewer Video

This video was presented by Greg Koch of Stone Brewing at this year's annual Craft Brewers Conference in Boston, MA. In my opinion, this is what's it's all about. This is why I took the risk that I did. You can hear the passion in their voice and see it in their eyes. I want to be a part of this culture! Take a minute, or three and watch the video. It will give you an appreciation for the craft beer industry and all that they stand for. It's also cool to see the face behind the beer. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do!  

I Am A Craft Brewer from I Am A Craft Brewer on Vimeo.

It all begins here - May 11, 2009

Here it is. The big day. Time to get things started. This is my first official day of unemployment. As I like to put it, the fist day to the rest of my life. There has to be a job out there that will cure my career blues. Hopefully that job is in the craft beer industry. I've been checking industry job postings for several weeks and my options are limited. Connecticut isn't exactly overflowing with craft beer breweries, retailers, etc. so I might have to get creative. My first job might not be my dream job but I need to get my foot in the door to explore my options and network with industry professionals. 

So, on day one where does my job search stand? I've sent one cover letter and resume to Harpoon for a sales position in western Connecticut. Two weeks and one follow up later, still no response. I know HR departments work slow but I'm thinking that this one will not work out, after all, my resume wreaks of insurance. As I work on fixing up my resume I think I might have another option and I would like to get your opinion. My landlord is the owner and President of Thomas Hooker Brewing Company in Bloomfield, CT. Unfortunately, for me, he doesn't have any job opportunities but I'm thinking of asking him if he has any volunteer opportunities. In my opinion, anything that I can put on the resume will be beneficial, even if it's cleaning the mash tun or sweeping the floor. The problem is, I'm a little hesitant to ask. Is it strange to ask my landlord for work when I send him rent money each month? Will he be more concerned with where his rent money is coming from? I'm turning to you, beer people. The email is locked and loaded and I just need to pull the trigger. Is this a lead worth pursuing? 

One last thing. It's funny how things work in this world. My wife recently finished culinary school and has been seeking employment for a few months with little success. A few short days after giving my two weeks notice she got a call for an interview. She starts next Monday. I already feel better about taking this risk.       

What's on Tap - May

Berkshire Brewing Company, South Deerfield, MA

Connecticut:

May 12: Tuesday Night Tasting/Sierra Nevada Artisinal Ale Experience at Eli Cannon's Tap Room.

May 16: 15th Annual Connecticut Craft Brewers Beer Festival at Jessie Camille's Restaurant.

May 18: Beer Dinner with Craft Brewer's Alliance - RedHook, Kona, & Widmer at Eli Cannon's Tap Room.

May 20: City Steam Spring Beer Dinner at City Steam Brewery Cafe.

May 22: Springfest at the Beach at Ocean Beach Park in New London, CT.

Maine:

May 14: Brewer's Table Dinner at Sebago Brewing Company.

May 16: Annual Pier Beer Fest at The Pier, Old Orchard Beach.

May 20: Beer Dinner with Rob Tod at Cooks Lobster House.

Massachusetts:

May 7: Lager Education Night at Buzzards Bay Brewery.

May 8: Cambridge Brewing Co.'s 20th Anniversary Party! - Day One at Cambridge Brewing Company.

May 9: Cambridge Brewing Co.'s 20th Anniversary Party! - Day Two at Cambridge Brewing Company.

May 9: Cape Cod Beer Open House Celebration at Cape Cod Beer.

May 9: Pioneer Beer Five Year Anniversary Party at the Brewery in Fiskdale

May 17: Spring Beer Classic at Julio's Liquors.

May 21: Tigris Beverage Big Beer Tasting at Bauer Wine & Spirits.

New Hampshire:

May 7: The way things work - Beer at Currier Museum of Art.

New York:

May 8: The People's Real Ale Festival at Clark's Ale House.

May 8: Drink for Charity at Rattle 'N' Hum.

May 14: Sly Fox vs. Southampton Competition at the Barcade in Brooklyn.

May 16: Captain Lawrence 3rd Anniversary Party at Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

May 19: Stone Brewery Takes the taps at Rattle 'N' Hum.

May 18: Beertopia-Summer Beer Tasting Event at The Villiage Pourhouse Upper West.

Rhode Island:

May 14: Left Hand Brewing Tasting at Pitcher's Pub.

May 31: Hitachino Beer Dinner at Julians.

Vermont:

May 12: Sierra Nevada Night at American Flatbread Hearth.

May 16: Magic Hat Brewery's Grand Reopening at Magic Hat Brewing Company.

May 27: American Flatbread - 5 Year Anniversary at American Flatbread Hearth.

Other:

May 30: SAVOR: an American Craft Beer & Food Event

The pursuit of happiness…and beer

Somewhere...something went terribly wrong

For the past 8 years I have lived in a state of illusion thinking that higher education and corporate success is the key to a blissful life. To some, that might be the case. To me, following the predictable path hasn’t gotten me any closer to happiness. The golden handcuffs impaired my ability to take risks and it has adversely impacted my personal and professional life. I think it’s time for change!

Change came in a big way last week. Get ready, brace yourself, here it comes…I quit my big bad insurance job. Some might call it impulsive, risky or simply stupid. I call it a calculated risk that will put my life back on track. I’m sure you have many questions. Yes, my wife supports my decision. No, we don’t have outside financial support. Yes, we have savings. No, we don’t have debt, kids or a mortgage. In our opinion, we have a short window of opportunity before we have these things and we’re going to make the most of this time.

So, what's my plan? Simply stated, happiness! I have an amazing wife, a great family and great friends. There is one piece of the puzzle missing and I’m setting sail to find it. My immediate goal is to pursue a job in the craft beer industry and I have already started the search. I plan to use BsBB as a diary to document my pursuit of a job in the craft beer industry. I hope you find my posts interesting and motivational to pursue your dreams and passions. As for long term goals, you’ll have to stay tuned. I need a little time to get them off the ground.

I don’t expect everyone to agree with my decision, especially in these tough economic times. I’m ok with that but I still want to hear your thoughts and opinions. And, of course, if you have any job leads in the craft beer industry, please let me know. Prost!

“Oh, yesterday's over for sure

So I can't look back for too long

There's just too much to see waiting in front of me

and I know that I just can't go wrong”

Creative? Yes. Appetizing? Not Exactly.

It seems like every brewery is concocting some sort of coffee beer these days. I've sampled a few and even brewed a coffee infused IPA with moderate success. I'm not much of a coffee drinker but I like where this movement is going...or do I? Mikkeller recently came out with their Beer Geek Brunch (Weasel) and I think it scares me a little.

What's so scary about this imperial oatmeal stout that has been rated by Beer Advocate as one of the best beers in the world? Well, it's brewed with animal droppings. Kopi Luwak, or shit coffee is one of the most expensive coffee's in the world, which is produced from coffee berries that have been consumed and passed through the digestive track of the Asian palm civet. Apparently the civet can't digest the inner bean and enzymes in the civet's belly break down the proteins to give the coffee its bitter taste. After the civet passes the beans they are collected, washed and roasted. Take a look, this is what you'll be drinking. Yum!

If you're interested in giving this extreme beer a try you'll have to move fast. Beer Geek Brunch is available in limited edition.