Help wanted - advisory
I’ve posted a couple notices recently of places looking to hire beer help. Mainly I did it because I often field questions from readers looking to get into the business.
I almost always tell them: First, volunteer a couple days. See if it’s something you really want to do.
Now, courtesy of Pete Slosberg who sent me the link, here’s a fine report on what it’s like to work in a brewery for a day. In this case, it was on a bottling line at Russian River, where they were putting out their latest batch of Consecration.
Peter Estaniel of a Better Beer Blog writes:
Oh. My. God. By the end of the day, my entire body hurt. My back was stiff, the arches on my feet sore, my core sore from the constant twisting motion. My shoulders were in pain from the nearly endless repetition of lifting bottles one after another after another after another. My hands hurt from constantly gripping bottles and the teats of what I learned to be a cruel and uncaring metal mother. This was a painful day. At one point, I think my left shoulder went numb. It was the lucky one. I haven’t hurt this bad physically since… I don’t remember when I’ve hurt this bad from a job… ever. Running the bottling line is more physically demanding than anything else.
…The enthusiasm I displayed at the beginning of my shift quickly gave way to loathing. What started of as, “Fuck yeah! I’m working at Russian River!” transitioned to “Fuck me! I’m working at Russian River.”
…Experiencing a day in the life as a Russian River employee has pretty much wiped any romantic notions I may have had with the brewing industry. Those big, shiny, steel fermentors still shine brightly but I now notice their scratches and dents. The aroma of hops in the air? Still intoxicating but their constant presence in the air renders them almost mundane. The fantasy has become a reality; the dream job is now just a job.
Enjoy the whole report - it’s a fun read with great photos.
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