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Author Topic: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...  (Read 5304 times)

Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #15 on: April 24, 2014, 11:56:00 am »
I think the outlet for creativity unbound by customer expectations is what I enjoy about this hobby.  I make several simple lagers for those who won't go outside their comfort zone (or who need a gateway to realize that there are great styles they haven't experienced yet), but those are sometimes almost autopilot beers that I get satisfaction from incremental improvement by trying new malts, hops or yeast strains on.  If I had to brew the same beer over and over in a production facility, it would get old pretty quick, though I appreciate the efforts of the pro brewers to replicate so nearly identical beers in successive batches in that setting.  For that I give them credit. 

As for working for myself - I have been a partner in a small group for years, pretty much doing my thing in an area that none of my partners do, so the lack of a safety net is sometimes disconcerting, but you can get used to it and seek outside resources...like this forum represents for my hobby!
Hodge Garage Brewing: "Brew with a glad heart!"

Offline nateo

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #16 on: April 24, 2014, 12:10:09 pm »
I worked for me for almost 30 years.  It sucked.

I have to agree, although luckily my stint was only ~3 years.

It's really awesome to be able to go on vacation now.
In der Kürze liegt die Würze.

Offline majorvices

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #17 on: April 24, 2014, 12:33:48 pm »
I worked for me for almost 30 years.  It sucked.

Hard to work for a boss who is stoned or drunk all the time... ;)

Offline morticaixavier

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #18 on: April 24, 2014, 12:53:50 pm »
so far in my experience the only thing worse than working for yourself is working for someone else. Either way, if you get to do something you enjoy it sucks a lot less.

don't get hung up on the fact that it's a 'job'. even if you 'have to' be there, if you love what you are doing it's easy to enjoy the work. if you hate what you are doing then it's going to suck no matter who you're working for.
"Creativity is the residue of wasted time"
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Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #19 on: April 24, 2014, 03:23:50 pm »

I worked for me for almost 30 years.  It sucked.

Hard to work for a boss who is stoned or drunk all the time... ;)
Now now kids.


Na Zdravie

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Offline denny

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #20 on: April 24, 2014, 05:01:08 pm »
I worked for me for almost 30 years.  It sucked.

Hard to work for a boss who is stoned or drunk all the time... ;)

Fortunately, I didn't!   ;D
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline Steve L

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #21 on: April 24, 2014, 06:38:30 pm »
I worked for me for almost 30 years.  It sucked.

Hard to work for a boss who is stoned or drunk all the time... ;)

Fortunately, I didn't!   ;D

Now this kind of conversation would be immensely more fun sitting somewhere in a taproom with pints in our fists. :D
Corripe Cervisiam

Offline euge

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #22 on: April 24, 2014, 08:02:14 pm »
I've been working since I was 15. That's 32 years. And when I realized the social work ethic expects another 20+ out of me something broke inside... :-\ I'll keep my profession going as long as possible though. I'm too valuable to society.

I worked for me for almost 30 years.  It sucked.

Hard to work for a boss who is stoned or drunk all the time... ;)

Yeah that'd be me if I didn't work. ;D
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #23 on: April 25, 2014, 05:55:43 am »
I've been working since I was 15. That's 32 years. And when I realized the social work ethic expects another 20+ out of me something broke inside... :-\ I'll keep my profession going as long as possible though. I'm too valuable to society.

I worked for me for almost 30 years.  It sucked.

Hard to work for a boss who is stoned or drunk all the time... ;)

Yeah that'd be me if I didn't work. ;D

Man, that's my story to a T, even the working at 15, 32 years ago !  Also the "if I DIDN'T work" part    ;)
Jon H.

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #24 on: April 25, 2014, 06:33:13 am »
You 47 years old youngsters could still handle it, but dont wait till you're 50.

Offline ibru

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #25 on: April 25, 2014, 09:04:05 am »
Or 60....

Offline denny

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #26 on: April 25, 2014, 09:51:47 am »
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline jeffy

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Jeff Gladish, Tampa (989.3, 175.1 Apparent Rennarian)
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Offline Slowbrew

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #28 on: April 25, 2014, 11:51:21 am »
Or 60....

or over 60....
Get off my lawn.

I currently take consolation in the fact that I'm closer to retirement than I am to when I started working.  I still have 16 years to go but that's shorter than the 35 years I've already done.  8^)

Paul
Where the heck are we going?  And what's with this hand basket?

Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: "Real" advice on whether or not to be a pro brewer...
« Reply #29 on: April 25, 2014, 05:15:23 pm »
And a desire to spend most of your time as a janitor.

Yep.  "Head Janitor" is actually my title on my business card. ;D
Matt Schwandt | Minneapolis, MN
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