Thats exactly how I started at a small start up in Seattle, then a year later I scored a job at Allagash…You have to be persistent and call them everyday once they have allowed you to volunteer once…They always need your help, but aren’t going to call you so you can sand their stools…most brewers are too humble to ask you to do that, so ask them!
Just be persistent and honest and show your passion for beer and be ready to work your ass off.
From my experience, that’s how you make money running a small business. If you personally work the equivalent of 2-3 jobs, that’s 1 or 2 people don’t have to pay. That’s about the extent of my small business wisdom though. I have no idea how businesses that employ a lot of people make any money.
Unfortunately no one wants to volunteer at tackle stores, so I can’t get free grunt work.