[dannyj621]

how far do you want to take your brewing career?  What goals do you have as a brewer? i personally want to open a brew pub in my hometown it would kill

[yeastmaster]

I would love to go pro but the student loans for my current career (veterinarian) cost way to much for me to afford on a brewer's salary right now 

[makemehoppy]

I plan to retire or at least work part time withing the next 5 years. I'd like to pick up a job at one of the 3 local brew pubs in my area.

[denny]

I've already ruined 2 hobbies I loved (music and computers) by turning them into careers.  All I want out of homebrewing is to make great beer and enjoy it with great friends.

[intrinsic]

I've already ruined 2 hobbies I loved (music and computers) by turning them into careers.  All I want out of homebrewing is to make great beer and enjoy it with great friends.

I totally agree. Once it becomes work the fun is no longer there.

[bruck]

I think that I got into it too late or I would have likely done something in brewing. At this point I have the wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs, a house, etc, etc. Not sure I can rewrite my career path at this point.

[bluesman]

I would love to start a microbrewery, but I understand the start-up costs to be pretty high. I have heard figures in the 2-3 million range for a decent start. I would need to find investors. Then it becomes location, location and location. Not to mention the fact that one has to brew fantastic beer and that's the fun part.

[Kaiser]

There is something to be said about it being just a hobby. You don't have to do it and you can set your own pace. The only way I can see myself brewing for living is if a lot of things are paid and I don't need to make much money. I'm not much of a risk taker. So going out on a limb and opening a brewing business is out of the question for me.

Kai

[hamiltont]

I plan to retire or at least work part time within the next 5 years. I'd like to pick up a job at one of the 3 local brew pubs in my area.

Ditto!  

[dannyj621]

to what denney said i agree with you but for me cooking was my biggest hobby and i made it my career and love it some people can make work pleasure for them i suppose

[akr71]

I plan to retire or at least work part time withing the next 5 years. I'd like to pick up a job at one of the 3 local brew pubs in my area.

This sounds like a pretty sweet plan!  Opening a brewpub is a retirement dream, but just a dream while I have a young family, mortgage and 15 to 20 years left in my current career.  Plus, the small town I live in would probably not support it - the University town 15 minutes away - maybe.  Working at someone else's brewpub part-time (30 minutes away) - Brilliant!

Really, what I'd prefer to do would be to buy about ~20 acres outside of town and have a little hobby farm and hop ranch.  I'd keep the brewing as a hobby. 

[denny]

to what denney said i agree with you but for me cooking was my biggest hobby and i made it my career and love it some people can make work pleasure for them i suppose

I loved the studio 28 years ago when I started it.  I still really enjoy studio work, but I HATE running a business!

[akr71]

to what denney said i agree with you but for me cooking was my biggest hobby and i made it my career and love it some people can make work pleasure for them i suppose

I loved the studio 28 years ago when I started it.  I still really enjoy studio work, but I HATE running a business!

This is my biggest fear about making brewing my career.  I'd love to own a brewpub, but I know nothing about running a restaurant, but realize the restaurant has to be strong enough to support the brewery until (and if) the customers start coming for the beer first and food second.

One day when I no longer have mortgage payments or have nightmares about kids tuition fees, I might feel differntly.  The hop ranch still sounds more fun - and maybe a cottage meadery.

[corkybstewart]

My goal is to open a brewpub in my wife's area in France.  She has a brother who is a chef and caterer, he just retired from his "day" job and is looking for something to do.  Since he has the business already set up it would be a lot easier for me to just have to deal with the brewing part.  My BIL the farmer could plant 20 acres of hops for me, he already grows 2-row barley and wheat. But how realistic is this, I have no idea. 

[ndcube]

Really, what I'd prefer to do would be to buy about ~20 acres outside of town and have a little hobby farm and hop ranch.  I'd keep the brewing as a hobby. 

This is what I want.