Seeking Low Level Brewing Position, Experience

As a very AVID homebrewer now for a many years, and making it an obsession for a few now, I'm finally at the point where I would like to take brewing to the next level. I now feel the need to make brewing a part of my life permanently and want to raise it from a hobby to a profession.

I understand the complexity of the task. I am a software developer, graduated with a double major (computer science and math) as well as a minor (music) so I know what it's like to work hard for long days on end to get to a goal. I plan to use that drive to start a career in the brewing industry. For now, I want to start on my path from the bottom up.

Immediately my first reaction was to introduce myself to some of the educational programs offered for brewers in the US. There are some wonderful programs out there, some of which however require packing up and moving, and all of which require a good amount of capital. Luckily for myself technology is catching up and some of these schools provide online versions of their courses. It is a big step to acquire the capital and devote the time to a brewer's course, but is something I know I need to do for a next step.

Unfortunately for myself a lot of these courses are filled (American Brewer's Guild being my first choice) for a couple years to come. I don't want to move and I don't want to wait. Packing up and heading out to attend a brewer's course would be a lot of fun, but I'm convinced with the direction the craft beer scene is headed in Connecticut, this is the place to be. There is a desire for great craft beer, and CT needs the brewers!

I'm looking to find a position helping out in a brewery setting. I learn best by example and am confident enough in my brewing techniques that I could be fit into most small brewing situations with minimal training. Just like in the field of computer science I'm looking for someone to take a chance on a young talent that is eager to learn. Coming out of college it is tough to find a job that isn't just mindless programming. My goal was to be more than a glorified typist and set out to find a job which gave me the power to be creative and be part of the decision process. I settled with a company that needed a software developer but was facing the option of paying big bucks to someone with 5+ years experience with what they were doing or going with a younger (cheaper) talent that they could grow with. I did my best to portray my confidence and skill level and I was very grateful for the opportunity to prove myself. My bosses can attest to my ability to adapt to a setting and even take over responsibility if necessary.

Brewing is not software. Though I enjoy combining the two, it does not often share the same sentence in conversation. I understand the costs and risks of the brewing industry and the damage small mistakes can make to production, as well as I understand the risks of putting shotty software out there with a company name on it. I'm looking to get in on the ground up, do the dirty work, and learn the ropes. Bartenders have their barbacks (also something I have experience with), should brewers not have a 'brewback'? Any brewery/brewpub that is willing to get a fresh set of legs at any level of the brewing process has a good candidate in myself.

As a brewer, I pride myself in making interesting beers and enjoy challenging myself with new ingredients (tea, fruits, spices, herbs, flowers). I also enjoy the challenge of make a beer to style and submitting if for evaluation. If there is any space open, or any sort of internship opportunity I can send a resume. Please let me know if there is any interest now, or in the future.

UPDATE: I have been entering my beers in a few CT competitions when they arise. While these competitions are small and I don't believe they mean the world, I figure they help get my point across about the passion I have for brewing. I've been recently starting to submit to larger competitions out of state.

2nd (Category - Light Ale) 11/13/11 Belgian Wit:

http://ctbeertrail.net/profiles/blogs/ct-beer-trail-amp-cambridge-h...

1st (Overall) 3/29/12 Vegetable/Spice Beer 'Rosebier':

http://ctbeertrail.net/profiles/blogs/backstage-home-brew-competiti...

2nd (Overall) 5/1/12 Coffee Stout:

http://whatsbrewingatmaltose.com/2012/05/03/stout-and-porter-contes...

2nd (Overall) 6/19/12 Amber IPA:

http://whatsbrewingatmaltose.com/2012/05/04/pale-ale-and-ipa-contest/

1st (Overall) 8/9/12 Munich Dunkel:

http://ctbeertrail.net/profiles/blogs/sierra-nevada-homebrew-compet...

3rd (Category - Amber Lager) 10/11/12 Oktoberfest

http://ctbeertrail.net/events/2nd-annual-ct-beer-trail-cambridge-ho...