People are always asking us, "How can I get a job brewing beer?"

You can get into brewing many different ways, some dependent upon the size of the brewery.

For starters, most interested people are pretty avid homebrewers, so they understand what it takes to make great beer. While it isn’t a requirement, people who are serious about beer can’t help but make some of their own.

One avenue into the industry is via a formal education. Here at Dogfish, we look for people with either life science or engineering degrees. Many of our new brewers not only have those types of degrees, but also have completed a formal brew-centric education through University of Davis, Siebel Institute of Technology or the American Brewers Guild. There are others out there, but those are the most common ones we work with either via an apprenticeship or hire from directly. Remember, this is an industry where you have to be a scientist, engineer, artist and maybe even a salesman.

Another way in is via a nonpaid apprenticeship at a local brewery. Our most recent brewer worked at a small brewery, scrubbing kegs, packaging bottles, cleaning and eventually brewing. He also had some independent college work in life sciences. It isn’t that uncommon that very small breweries and pubs will offer these arrangements while they are in the growing stage and don’t need full-time people. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship where you may get experience, while they get … well, free labor. Earning your way into the brewing industry this way isn’t glamorous. Some of our lead brewers worked up from tending bar at our pub.

Most of all, be patient and humble. It usually doesn’t happen overnight. Each stop along the way you should be able to learn something. In fact, I've been brewing for 20 years now and after all this time I still learn something every day from somebody or something.

Once you think you're ready, check out our Careers page. We're always on the lookout for qualified brewers.