# Newly unemployed and want to brew **URL:** \ **Category:** The Pub\ **Created:** [January 5, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645 "2015-01-05T23:48:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hobsondrake\_yahoo.com](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/hobsondrake_yahoo.com/32/8194_2.png) [@hobsondrake\_yahoo.com](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hobsondrake_yahoo.com)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/1 "2015-01-05T23:48:03Z")
So I am out of a job. Layoff notice was unexpected. But I have a severance to keep me going for a little bit. But I was thinking that now that I have some days open I would like to “work” in a brewery. Not full time mind you, just to get a feel for it. I would be able to learn some stuff that would support my home brewing knowledge. I will have to get a “real” job that will pay the bills and I know a rookie won’t make but maybe minimum wage. And that will not pay the mortgage or the utilities for that matter. So for all you pros out there, how should I approach this? Just walk into a place and say put me to work for one or two weeks? What you you say if I came up to you and asked you that? ---
**Author:** ![JT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jt/32/11629_2.png) [@JT](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/JT)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/2 "2015-01-05T23:52:35Z")
I’m not a pro brewer, but the time they would have to invest in training you would likely not make it a worthwhile investment for them. ---
**Author:** ![klickitat\_jim](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/klickitat_jim/32/6601_2.png) [@klickitat\_jim](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/klickitat_jim)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/3 "2015-01-06T00:57:25Z")
Ya unfortunately its kind of like walking up to a fishing boat in Alaska asking to work part time with a little trout fishing experience. The skipper would call that a liability at best. ---
**Author:** ![majorvices](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/majorvices/32/12825_2.png) [@majorvices](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/majorvices)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 1:11am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/4 "2015-01-06T01:11:37Z")
Last 3 guys that came in and asked if they could volunteer I ended up hiring after anywhere between 2 days and 3 weeks. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door. Especially if you are a good worker. ---
**Author:** ![JT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jt/32/11629_2.png) [@JT](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/JT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/5 "2015-01-06T01:23:36Z")
I stand corrected.  Also, I’m sorry this happened to you, best of luck in your search. ---
**Author:** ![majorvices](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/majorvices/32/12825_2.png) [@majorvices](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/majorvices)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 1:31am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/6 "2015-01-06T01:31:13Z")
I’m sure every brewery is different so don’t stand too corrected. That said, there’s usually one thing a small brewery is always short of and that is cheap labor. ---
**Author:** ![pete\_baker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/pete_baker/32/5190_2.png) [@pete\_baker](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/pete_baker)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 1:49am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/7 "2015-01-06T01:49:10Z")
I just met a guy who got a job in a brewery by making them rubicks cubes with their logo. Now he works their a couple days a week while going to school. So do you want to learn how to scrub equipment? ---
**Author:** ![majorvices](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/majorvices/32/12825_2.png) [@majorvices](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/majorvices)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 1:59am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/8 "2015-01-06T01:59:56Z")
The last guy I hired: His main job is building case boxes and six pack holders and putting the six pack holders in the case boxes. ---
**Author:** ![bluesman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@bluesman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/bluesman)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/9 "2015-01-06T03:46:24Z")
In my experience as a brewery startup there’re many folks interested in getting their foot in the door, and I’m finding that this is probably the best way to land a job in a brewery. It certainly can’t hurt to try if you have the time. ---
**Author:** ![yso191](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/yso191/32/12276_2.png) [@yso191](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/yso191)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 5:17am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/10 "2015-01-06T05:17:40Z")
> [@majorvices](#): > > Last 3 guys that came in and asked if they could volunteer I ended up hiring after anywhere between 2 days and 3 weeks. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door. Especially if you are a good worker. I’ve asked three local breweries (out of 4) to volunteer doing whatever.  Nothing.  I even showered.  :-\ ---
**Author:** ![majorvices](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/majorvices/32/12825_2.png) [@majorvices](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/majorvices)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 11:02am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/11 "2015-01-06T11:02:29Z")
> [@yso191](#): > > > [@majorvices](#): > > > > Last 3 guys that came in and asked if they could volunteer I ended up hiring after anywhere between 2 days and 3 weeks. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door. Especially if you are a good worker. > > I’ve asked three local breweries (out of 4) to volunteer doing whatever.  Nothing. **I even showered.**   :-\ Gersh, you probably shaved too. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![thirsty\_monk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/thirsty_monk/32/8400_2.png) [@thirsty\_monk](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/thirsty_monk)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2015, 12:46pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/12 "2015-01-06T12:46:07Z")
I would consider long term commitment. I would not want to train you and then 3 month down the road you would walk. Also I would pay you a regular pay. ---
**Author:** ![TMX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmx/32/10834_2.png) [@TMX](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/TMX)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 5:44am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/13 "2015-01-07T05:44:40Z")
Dont forget, there may be insurance issues for the brewery as well.  I am in Colorado Springs and want to look for a spot as an intern, no pay, a day or two a week, but not having the best of luck at the moment ---
**Author:** ![majorvices](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/majorvices/32/12825_2.png) [@majorvices](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/majorvices)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 12:22pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/14 "2015-01-07T12:22:08Z")
> [@TMX](#): > > Dont forget, there may be insurance issues for the brewery as well.  I am in Colorado Springs and want to look for a spot as an intern, no pay, a day or two a week, but not having the best of luck at the moment Insurance is an issue. I had each of them sign a waiver that we were not responsible for any injuries (and, gosh, there’s a million ways to get injured), though I’m not sure it would have really held up in court. If you do get either hired on as paid of volunteer, expect to do the most mundane tasks. Sweep floors. Build case boxes. Squeegee. Mold patrol. Polish outside of stainless tanks. If your lucky you might even get to run the keg cleaner. Bunt, unless it is a really small fledgling operation, don’t expect to get too close to the brew house. ---
**Author:** ![TMX](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmx/32/10834_2.png) [@TMX](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/TMX)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/15 "2015-01-07T13:41:02Z")
I have no expectations of being a free for hire head brewer. I just to see what it takes to brew on that scale. I am 2.5 years from retirement from the Army and a small brew pub is what I want after this is over ---
**Author:** ![dcb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dcb/32/11360_2.png) [@dcb](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dcb)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/16 "2015-01-07T15:00:21Z")
My Texan dad used to say (read it reaaal slow for the full effect): “They cain’t say yes if you don’t ask.” ---
**Author:** ![duboman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/duboman/32/5890_2.png) [@duboman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/duboman)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/17 "2015-01-07T16:44:48Z")
Try to find the newest, smallest brewery that is near you and pop in and offer to help. I know several where I live and they are always posting on social media about their brewing days and packaging days for people to stop by, help and get some beer for their efforts. It’s funny but they love brewing and hate shoveling out the mash tun… :o ---
**Author:** ![fchenette](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/fchenette/32/6207_2.png) [@fchenette](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/fchenette)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/18 "2015-01-08T00:18:24Z")
> [@TMX](#): > > I have no expectations of being a free for hire head brewer. I just to see what it takes to brew on that scale. I am 2.5 years from retirement from the Army and a small brew pub is what I want after this is over > [@](#): > > So I am out of a job. Layoff notice was unexpected. But I have a severance to keep me going for a little bit. > > But I was thinking that now that I have some days open I would like to “work” in a brewery. Not full time mind you, just to get a feel for it. I would be able to learn some stuff that would support my home brewing knowledge. > > I will have to get a “real” job that will pay the bills and I know a rookie won’t make but maybe minimum wage. And that will not pay the mortgage or the utilities for that matter. > > So for all you pros out there, how should I approach this? Just walk into a place and say put me to work for one or two weeks? What you you say if I came up to you and asked you that? Good luck, guys! ---
**Author:** ![majorvices](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/majorvices/32/12825_2.png) [@majorvices](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/majorvices)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/19 "2015-01-08T02:08:55Z")
> [@duboman](#): > > Try to find the newest, smallest brewery that is near you and pop in and offer to help. I know several where I live and they are always posting on social media about their brewing days and packaging days for people to stop by, help and get some beer for their efforts. It’s funny but they love brewing and hate shoveling out the mash tun… :o What he said. ---
**Author:** ![speed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@speed](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/speed)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2015, 2:25pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645/20 "2015-01-08T14:25:34Z")
We just opened a small (10 bbl) brewery and I would love to have somebody clean out the mash tun  :o [Next page](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/newly-unemployed-and-want-to-brew/18645.md?page=2)