Long time listener first time poster.

[BrewPirate]

Hey there BN, I am amazed at that quality of product you continually put out considering you all are nearly as crazy as I am. I started brewing as a homebrewer with stove top extract batches by the time i designed my first one I was hooked. So with three extract brews under my belt I enrolled in the American Brewers Guild program (bad ass mc awesome btw) and took thier first residencial course in 10 years. I interned at Old Dominion Brewing after that, and now I am brewing at Rock Bottom in Arlington VA (3days), Rock Bottom in Bethesda MD (1day), and Old Dominion (1day). I am pretty all over the place right now and have regretably been unable to devote any time to getting better aquanted with the BN. The good news is that as I stablize a bit in the next year I will be starting up a new all-grain system, and getting more active in the community. Thank you for your content and thanks to my fellow listeners for doing.. whatever it is that you sickos do.

[Crut]

Ahoy there fellow brewer, sounds like you got wuite the shuffle goin on right now! It's all worth it
Welcome to the fun-since your a pirate at sea, do you float on the short pirate ship?
-Crut

[BadRock]

Welcome,
Dude thats a great story. How do you enjoy it now that it more than a hobby but also an income? I have to say I am a little jealous, If I didn't have kids I would probably seek a similar employment technique. It's got to be neat bouncing from brewery to brewery.

[BrewPirate]

Is the short ship the one with the strippers?
It is very satisfying to think about the actual production process and see a the beer that I have brewed out at the bar being enjoyed. I dont think I will ever full come to grips with the fact that people are actually paying thier hard earned money for something that my lame ass produced. This is the first job that I dont dread going to and in fact I am probly one of the happiest commuters on the road.
Working at three different locations first destroys your confidence because everyone has thier own procedures and it is very easy to second guess your self. But once that phase is over the experiance gained is unmatched. Working at a brewery it is easy to get into a routine and eventually you will let something slip. This jumble keeps me firmly out of any routine making me think about every step.

[macgruffus]

Welcome BrewPirate ... but with a handle like this shouldn't you be at Clipper City on your off day? <grin>

Good luck on your quest and, like BadRock, I have a twinge of jealousy.

[Mylo]

Welcome, BrewPirate! Go ahead - ask us anything! We are here to help.

Well, actually, considering that we have another pro in our midst - I'm sure the questions will be a little heavy in the other direction... Here goes...

Can you tell us more about the ABG program that you attended (how long, where, hands on vs. lecture, cost)? I am only aware of the Siebel Institute and UC Davis.



Mylo

[BrewPirate]

The ABG is wonderful. I took the residential program which was 5weeks of beer learnn. They brought in many leading industry pros to teach us. All of the teachers had wet boots. The focus is on the craft industry which is not the case for the other two programs in the US. The normal operation of the program is through a correspondence course which is done through 50 some dvds and with a week of hands on at the end. This is great for those who dont have the time or resources to quit their job or leave their family. If you take the CBA you then intern at a brewery of your choice, the sky is the limit, most brew masters are willing to take on an ABG student. I can not recommend this program enough. The staff are very nice and incredibly helpful. Check out their site and sign up soon because the future classes are filling fast. abgbrew.com

[Thirsty Mallard]

Welcom BrewPirate! Always good to have a pro around to give us real advice... you know, since our other "Pro", Sully, probably hasn't actually brewed in years...