Sunday, September 30, 2012

A New Adventure!


As some of you may have heard, I have decided to make a career change.  This happens right at a time when I've reached a tipping point in my current career as a Civil Engineer.  Is this an early midlife crisis?  Why would somebody in a well paying job with loads of potential for upward mobility up and quit?  Is it the realization that they may never have another opportunity as they become further ingrained and dependent on their current financial situation?  Maybe it's looking at the mentors in their field and realizing that you're looking in a mirror reflecting your eminent future?  Is it simply becoming tired of the day-to-day monotony and dreaming of something different; even if it turns out that what you get is exactly what you've had all along?

The beginning of September I saw the assistant brewer posting at Black Tooth Brewing Company in Sheridan on their fb and began to weigh my options.  I have been brewing beer for the last 8 years on my own, and had to decide if I would be satisfied with making it my career.  Sure I've thought about it and even had lengthy conversations about becoming a professional brewer, but these were often after imbibing vast amounts of my own barley-hop pop.  Is it actually possible to make your hobby your career?  Could I be successful?  Would I tire of brewing beer?  Is the microbrew boom a phase that'll burn out leaving me scrambling to make ends meat (meet?)?  I had already applied for a different brew position on a whim the month earlier to no avail, and was perfectly comfortable with the outcome.  Would this be déjà vu all over again?  I decided it didn't matter and followed my heart sending in an application for the position.

Early last week I was offered the position.  After a brief consult with Chick I accepted the assistant brewer position at Black Tooth Brewing Company.  At present it looks like my first week on the job will be Oct 15th.  Stay tuned as details unfold!!  Big changes, new adventures, life is good!!

4 comments:

  1. Way to go! I only wish you were brewing at Clear Creek Brewing, it would make their beer better and you would be closer to us. Congrats and enjoy, you will be awesome.

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  2. Yay Steve!! Danny and I are both SO excited for you. From what I can tell having talked with a lot of people who work at microbreweries in Eugene, no one has EVER regretted their decision to make their hobby their career OR tired of brewing beer. :) This is going to be such a great fit, and Black Tooth is lucky to have you. I think it's official - now I *have* to start drinking microbrews. :) Congratulations!!

    Love!

    - Linds

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  3. You are living tim's dream!! Call him after u start to tell him how "his" first week went. So happy for you! Hope we see you two up here soon.

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  4. Thanks all for the show of support :) Looks like you 'will' be able to enjoy some microbrew now Lindsay! Mel, let us know when you guys are in the area; it'd be great to catch up. If you make it all the way to Sheridan, I can guarantee a beer tasting.

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