Does Your Boss Know You Homebrew?

[BrianTheBrewer]

Revvy, I could not agree more. People that I work with (Docs and nurses) love hearing me talk about beer. They have told me I have turned so many of them onto better tasting beer that you can buy in most stores. One nurse told me that she hates beer but when she talks to me about beer I make her want to run out and have one. People say they see more passion in me when I talk about beer in general than anything else that I talk about, its like my eyes light up as a kid on christmas.

I know 3 people I can name that I now work with that I have turned on to homebrewing. People love it!!! A 50 something year old female nurse asked me what kind of beer would go with a peanut butter sandwhich and I brought her in a stout, she fell in love with me.

I will never, ever be ashamed that I am a homebrewer, that I love beer, and its my passion (like fishing)

 

[Yooper]

I don't think I "hide" anything. I'm a pretty open person and won't ever lie. But I also don't volunteer personal information in a job interview! I mean, I homebrew, curse, love porno flicks, kayak, play sports, etc. I can also quote Kierkegaard and Nietzche. None of those hobbies qualify me for my position, and in fact can make me seem quite odd when taken out of context.

If I was applying for an artistic position, maybe I'd share that side of my personal life. But, since I'm managerial, I would only discuss that part of myself. Whether I homebrew or read Danish philosophy doesn't at all correlate as to how well I manage my department or staff.

 

[Schlenkerla]

I don't agree with the idea that you hide it...sorry but if you hide it from the light of day like it's a cockroach, then you are perpetuating the myth that it is something to be ashamed of..actually Beer is all over the place now..it is the new black...or at least the new "wine."

The New York times does articles on beers and beer bars all the time, and review and beer food pairings.. the Canadian Broadcasting Company (never a paragon of the avant garde) has two beer experts, one in Windsor and one nationally....ANd they are on every week answering listener questions, and recommending new beers to try/

That perception of something to be ashamed of is changing as Craft beers rise in popularity, and names like Sam Adams are on tv...if you google beer food pairings you will find out how seriously popular beer is becoming...and not just to beer geeks like us...It may not seem like it in your "circle" but beer is hip right now...maybe more so than during the craft beer "revolution" of the 80's

Even Budweiser is trying to make it hip....WTF do you think Bud American Ale is all about??? .betcha it's all hoity toity on the superbowl commercials....no farting horses for that product....

Beer is being called the "New Wine" in places like the New York Times, or like this article from the Washington Post Heady Complements - washingtonpost.com

There are articles in just about every magazine and newpapers about food and beer pairings...You can take (and teach) classes on beer and food, and even homebrewing at adult ed and community colleges now....

Sam Cagilione was featured in the New York Times.

The Mayor Protem of my city is a homebewer and was in an article about it...

It is a great time to be a home brewer, and knowledgeable about beer in general. I'm on a couple of other non beer related forums (including a dating site) where I have homebrewer in my profile, and I get a lot of food/beer pairing questions from people, especially women on the dating site...It's usually the conversation opener when a woman writes to me on the dating site.

If a 40 year old women wants to know what beers to pair with chocolate cake for a dinner party...then you know there is a shift happening...

Don't be ashamed about it, be ambassadors of it, be proud about it..be intelligent about it, teach about it..show that this is different from drinking mad dog in a brown paper bags in the alley...Show how you are responsible...not some closet lush....Teach them that there is nothing to be ashamed of...

So if I understand you right...

If I get invited to lunch after the interview and they ask me what beer should I get with the pork chops & mashed potatoe special, its ok to say the following;

"Dunkel, Abbey Dubbel, Doppelbock, Altbier, Oktoberfest, Marzen or Biere de Garde."

 

[BrianTheBrewer]

Well now maybe a job interview is different....

 

[mmb]

My boss just approached me today about his MrBeer kit that he got for Christmas and I've had a flat of corny kegs shipped to the office.

I think it's a fairly safe bet that he knows I brew.

 

[Revvy]

I think it depend on the situation.

The whole reason I asked this question was that the recruiter said in the first 20 seconds tell them something personal about yourself that they will remember by.

I jokingly said, "I'll tell them I make my own beer. " She's like no, no, no don't say that!!

I thought that amusing and at the same time interesting. I think the job is heavily in agricultural construction. I think it'll good ol' boys. At that's kind of how they make them out to be.

I don't volunteer that I brew because I know the moonshine stigma comes with it. People who are ignorant think its illegal.

Well I would more than likely believe that is the recruiter's own personal bias about alcohol than anything more...I would then have jumped in and taught her something about brewing and beer....like mentioning what I mentioned in my last post about it...I would have politely turned it into a teachable moment...and she would have seen how knowlegable and articulate about something you are..

ANd to teach people that it is not illegal, nor that you can go blind...but that it is a blending of art, craft, science and cooking...

Knowing what i know about you buddy, YOU could have easily won her over with YOUR knowlege of pairing beer and food and cooking...She would have been blown away by it...and may even have reconsidered her postion on that issue...

In the 4 years of ministerial school I had to go through twice a year something called Licensing and Ordination...to best decribe it imagine you have to present and then defend aurally your Master's thesis to a group of 6-10 ministers for over an hour...then do it again to another group of minsters about 2 hours later and if you don't win over both groups you do it again a third time to a different group of minsters that day...

AND you do it again 6 months later..8 times in 4 years...

If you are passionate about something, anything, even if it is not related to the topic at hand, that will shine through, and win people over...ANd they will judge you on your passion and intelligence...and figure if you can talk that articulate about something..then maybe you have the capability of doing that same thing for them...

I didn't brew back then..but I cooked (but if I did, I would have talked passionately about it), and I loved music and had a background in radio production...so often the interviews would sidetrack, when they asked about my hobbies and intersts. into one of those topics...food and music...and inevitably there would be at least one person who was as geeky about it as well...and that would be what was the defining factor of the L&O conference, not whether I remembered a particular bible verse or not..

I was once told by a minister on my committee that I really HAD to before I came back in 6 months rent the Enimen Movie "8 Mile" since it had come out while I was in school and I hadn't seen it...but he related it to me living in Detroit and being part of the music scene...we're talking a minister suggesting to watch a movie about RAP music for christ sakes...

SO I guess I'm saying....take what she said with a grain of salt..if you feel passionate about it...about anything..if it comes up don't down play it...use it as an opportunity to let YOU shine through...to let your intelligence, your passion, and your wisdom shine through...and if they are smart enough to look beyon any biases, they may be able to see that if you routed 10% of than energy to their endeavors...you would be an asset to them....

Anyway, that's my 2 cents buddy.

 

[Revvy]

Well now maybe a job interview is different....

I agree...I betcha like I said, that was HER bias...maybe her dad was an alky or something...but again, you might have been able to re-pattern her views on it...

 

[Schlenkerla]

I can think of something better to tell them in the first 20 seconds about myself. That doesn't have to be about brewing.

I can talk about my new son! He is crying for a bottle.... can't type so good with one hand.....

be back soon....

... he's quiet...

I'm not ashamed to mention it in the right setting though...

 

[Revvy]

I keep being reminded about a certain scripture that the "little big guy" once said...it was something about NOT hiding your light under a basket, but letting it shine through....

I wrote a blog about my view on hiding stuff we're passionate about..I dunno if you have to be on myspace to read it or not...but here it is.

MySpace.com Blogs - Being Real - Michael MySpace Blog

 

[BlackDogBrewing]

Yes, and he wants me to teach him how.

 

[NewBrew75]

Ok, to be honest, I don't know if this was aready said, but I would probably agree with your recruitor until you are hired, then work a few weeks to show that you're a great employee, and share the news. It's all about timing, everyone has their vices and "naughty side", if you want to call it that. When I hire people, I'm usually looking for the most straight and narrow person I can fill the position with. I know that I'll typically find out some other unusual thing about the person later. That doesn't mean they're a bad employee, but the ones that present themselves well from the get-go are usually the ones that get hired. Good luck!

 

[JoeMama]

My boss knows I homebrew and is rather intrigued by it. I also found out that one of my fellow coworkers is also an avid homebrewer as well. (Well a couple of them)

Working in IT is the ****.
-Me

 

[Schlenkerla]

Ok, to be honest, I don't know if this was aready said, but I would probably agree with your recruitor until you are hired, then work a few weeks to show that you're a great employee, and share the news. It's all about timing, everyone has their vices and "naughty side", if you want to call it that. When I hire people, I'm usually looking for the most straight and narrow person I can fill the position with. I know that I'll typically find out some other unusual thing about the person later. That doesn't mean they're a bad employee, but the ones that present themselves well from the get-go are usually the ones that get hired. Good luck!

You have to present yourself in the best light. You don't know how they will judge you. I believe the interviewer will form an opinion very quickly, so one needs to be prepared to say the right things. Something to make you stand out in a good way.

Pretty much common sense.

 

[Professor Frink]

My boss knows and loves it when I bring beer in for him. Personally, if someone asked about my hobbies on a job interview, I would say that I homebrew beer. Maybe it's because I'm in a field that generally has mostly enlightened people and they'd be likely to be just fine with it, but there's a good chance your boss will find out anyway, and I wouldn't like to be working in an environment where my superior looked down upon me because of something that I love to do.

 

[danorocks17]

Does Your Boss Know You Home brew?

I'm out looking for a new job and a recruiter told me that when it comes to hobbies not to mention this one.

They were thinking of teetotalers who would not understand.

I agree to some point, at least before getting the job.

Therefore I like to golf, fish and garden. (Grow Hops: )

I would like to hear you thoughts on this, and have you been in this situation.

Thanks!!!

I dont think it's something that a current boss would have a problem with, but I wouldn't bring it up to a prospective employer. Get the job, then talk about homebrewing

 

[NewBrew75]

You have to present yourself in the best light. You don't know how they will judge you. I believe the interviewer will form an opinion very quickly, so one needs to be prepared to say the right things. Something to make you stand out in a good way.

Pretty much common sense.

Yes, but at the same time, being comfortable in the interview goes very far as well. Don't be worried about having to say the right thing, just don't tell them the obvious "bad" things.

 

[Coastarine]

The closest thing I have to a supervisor/boss (my primary instructor who I am assigned to) does know I homebrew. I think he even got a mr. beer kit for christmas. However, he didn't hire me, and I probably wouldn't mention it in an interview. When I filled out my rental application I didn't list it under hobbies, however I did show my landlord one day when he was over and I sent him away with a six-pack.

 

[cuinrearview]

We definately live in a country and culture that does not appreciate our hobby. No matter how much I talk about brewing at work (yah, my boss knows) people still get that confused smile when I convince them to come over and try a "real beer" and they take the first sip. It's like they don't believe that beer can be made outside of a can line in a factory. My passion for brewing is fueled by history. Brewing and beer has been such a staple of many of our ancestors, but now it is pretty much a product that's produced much like peanut butter.

I share your passion Revvy, but we don't get 99 out of 100 jobs when we talk about our passion as a hobby in an interview. Maybe in a faith-based field, but not in most of the others out there. Definately not worth the risk here in MI right now if you're out of work.

 

[Zul'jin]

I quit answering those hobby questions on applications once I got enough work experience to fill out the form without using that sort of filler.

Lots of people I work with, bosses included, know I brew. I've met others who do and one who does now since drinking some of mine. Our company news letter even ran a story of an employee at one of our plants who won an award for his home brew.

And that no alcohol on company grounds policy? It's wink wink on that when a new batch is ready.

 

[Revvy]

I share your passion Revvy, but we don't get 99 out of 100 jobs when we talk about our passion as a hobby in an interview. Maybe in a faith-based field, but not in most of the others out there. Definately not worth the risk here in MI right now if you're out of work.

A) If you've read my bio on here I'm not currently working in a "Faith based field..I have a normal job right now...

B) Don't you think a "faith based field it" would be POTENTIALLY MORE MORALISTIC than a "normal" Job? You obviously have no idea the intense scrutinary a minister is under, whether or not he comes from a liberal bent or not...there are still people who try to paint you into a box...or a prison...

I'm sorry but I mainitain that if it's a direct question to gauge me wanting to know what I am passionate about, then I ain't hiding it, (first off becaaus I ain't going to be able to) and because there is nothing to be ashamed of...it is a noble, legal and currently somewhat in vogue (at least beer culture) hobby.

All I am saying is by even discussing it this way, you guys are contributing to stigmafying it..Instead of being an ambassador of it if the question arises....You're the ones who sound like you are ashamed of it.

You don't think an interviewer, if he/she suddenly decides that a question about your hobby wouldn't pick up on a knee jerk bit of hidden shame while you scrambled to find some hobby you may be less passionated about to cover up what you really want to say???

"Uh...I dunno....I guess I like to fish."

Any way, we all approach our lives differently...I decided 14 years ago as I was about to swallow a bullet that I wasn't going to hide my light under a barrel, wasn't going to be something other than myself any more...

BTW, it occurred to me that in my 20+ years in "civiliian" work, including working in Television, Radio, Retail and Academics....I've never been ASKED about my hobbies or interests outside of "work." My interviews were always about "We don't care about your personal life, can you do the job?"

 

[schweaty]

Yes, but he doesn't realize how much I could increase his profit margin if I brewed his beer instead of BMC

 

[EvilTOJ]

Does he know? Hell, he homebrews too. Or at least he used to for awhile.

 

[wild]

All of my bosses know since I post Brewouts and festivals on the bulletin board. But if asked in an interview, I'd pass on the questions and most likely the job. Hobbies and outside interests are no longer considered a factor when hiring and should not be touched on in an interview. Questions such as those have gone the way of religion and political position, with minor exceptions. I've been giving interviews since the later '70s and have had to attend seminars on new and improved interviewing methods.

 

[zoebisch01]

My boss has been to my Oktoberfest.

 

[0202]

My boss knows, but I don't bring it up too much. During downtime
at work I read brewing books and check HBT.COM

I talk about it with people, but since it draws a lot of questions I
try not to become the "beer" guy at work.

 

[Joe C]

Does he know? Hell, he homebrews too. Or at least he used to for awhile.

My boss has been to my Oktoberfest.

:rockin: I got my co-worker into homebrewing, and a Director in another department into homebrewing.

The VP of my department (IT) asks me all the time when he can get samples. He wants to start brewing, just hasn't yet.

We had an Oktoberfest party this year where I was allowed to custom build a 2-tower BevAir unit and was able to order 6 kick ass beers

 

[ohiobrewtus]

My boss comes over to the house every few months to sample what's on tap, and he's even brewed a few extract batches himself.

 

[Madman]

I hate this part of interviewing. I don't think interviewers should ask questions about your time away from work. Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that I have no "socailly redeeming" hobbies. Observe:

Interviewer: So, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Me: Well, I play World of Warcraft, brew beer, drink with my friends, and write an atheist-centric blog.... Sir? Sir, are you okay? JESUS CHRIST, SOMEONE CALL 911!!!

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I live in Wisconsin where you can't trust people who don't drink. I told my whole firm at my orientation as an example of something interesting about me. Guess how many people remembered me?

I donate a few six packs every Christmas for our holiday charity raffle, and I am pushing to brew a Firm beer that we can keep in our fridge for client meetings.

 

[Hilbert]

I once had a boss tell me that he didn't trust anyone who doesn't drink

Depending on the position you are interviewing for I don't think it's a negative as long as you don't come off looking like a drunk.

I'm in sales and the ability to drink and hang with clients who can pound them is a requirement
Most of the bosses I have had are all drinkers to some extent.

With that said if you're interviewing to be a kindergarden teacher you may not want to bring it up