Beer Related Jobs and How to Get Them

It’s estimated that over 110,000 eating and drinking establishments closed in 2020, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many bars and breweries are included in that number. While some might re-open, others have been forced to shutter for good.

There’s no question that the pandemic has turned the service industry upside down. But, if you’re a beer-lover or you’re knowledgeable when it comes to all things brewing, you don’t necessarily have to be out of a job.

There are plenty of beer-related jobs outside of being a bartender or brewer. Now, more than ever, it’s important to look for opportunities in the beer industry so you can keep moving forward and find success doing what you love.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best beer-related jobs that can further your career, even in times of uncertainty.

Beer Sommelier

Most people think of sommeliers as wine experts, but there are plenty of opportunities for your expertise in beer to shine, too. As a sommelier or a cicerone, you can end up in a variety of different positions, helping others who might need to be trained in their knowledge of beer. Or, you could use your expertise to make the industry better and more competitive.

Some ideas for what you could do as a beer sommelier include:

• Helping the service staff for restaurants or bars on proper serving techniques.
• Judging beer competitions.
• Hosting tastings.
• Helping new breweries perfect their formulas.

To be considered an expert, you’ll want to prove your value on a well-organized resume. Your resume should include a “key skills” section that lets everyone know why you deserve that expert title. It also offers peace of mind in knowing that whoever hires you can trust your judgment and knowledge of the industry, and of the foundation of beer, itself. Plus, in many cases, you’ll get paid to drink beer. While you might end up sipping an unsavory brew once in a while, it doesn’t get much better when it comes to doing what you love.

Beer Brand Owner

Do you have years of experience in the brewing industry? Maybe you’ve worked for a big brewer or craft beer company. Or, maybe you’ve always been a home hobbyist, but the research you’ve done and the experience you’ve gained makes you want to take things to the next level.

Why not consider starting your own beer brand?

As a beer brand owner, you might have to wear several hats for a while. You could either start a brand with someone else who knows the industry or take the reins on your own. Of course, that means you’ll be the brewmaster, marketing expert, and finance manager all at once. But, you wouldn’t be the first one to go that route and you certainly won’t be the last.

Starting your own business can be a risk, of course. Even a small business can cost thousands of dollars to get started. If you don’t have financial backing, putting a new business out into the world is scary. But, if you have the right knowledge, you can start a brand that stands out and offers something that others don’t. If you’re able to become successful, you could even start charging varying rates for your expertise as a consultant to others in the industry who might be struggling.

Getting paid for your expertise, either on an hourly or project basis, will help to further your status in the industry as an expert. Not only can that boost your brand, but it can make you a household name for beer enthusiasts. If you truly think you can build a better brand than what’s available out there, now is the perfect time to give it a shot.

Beer Blogger

If you love beer and you’ve always had a way with words, consider being a beer blogger. The possibilities are truly endless with a career like this. You can combine your love of beer with your love of other things, depending on the type of writing you want to do. For example, if you’ve got a travel bug, you could blog about different beers around the world. How are they made? How are they different from what people might be used to in the U.S.?

Other opportunities for blogging about beer include:

• Reviewing local breweries
• Reviewing beer brands
• Homebrewing tips
• Beer-tasting tips
• Local beer guides

Like you, there are thousands of beer enthusiasts out there – not just in the country, but across the globe. Beer speaks to different cultures in different ways, and people want to know more about that. So, no matter what you choose to write, it’s likely that someone is going to take notice. With a unique perspective and interesting subjects, you could actually find great success as a beer blogger.

As you can see, the beer industry isn’t stale or slowing down. Even if breweries and bars have been forced to close, for the time being, people are still looking to this familiar beverage and all that goes with it for some familiarity and comfort. If you want to be directly involved in that, consider one of these beer-related jobs for your future.

Special Thanks to Jori Hamilton for this Great Beer Now guest post! Jori Hamilton is an experienced writer residing in the Northwestern U.S. She covers a wide range of topics but takes a particular interest in covering topics related to business productivity, travel, and entrepreneurship. If she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling and trying new beers. As of now, her favorite beer is Elysian Brewing’s Space Dust IPA. To learn more about Jori, you can follow her on Twitter.