Despite some recent setbacks, experts predict continued growth in the brewing
industry. In fact, there were eight percent more U.S. breweries in 2010 than
in the previous year, according to the Brewers Association.
Beer making has a long history in North America. In 1876, the United States
had more than 2,600 breweries. This number decreased to 1,100 in 1919. After
Prohibition -- a law making it illegal to manufacture or sell alcohol -- only
700 breweries reopened their doors. The number of breweries continued to decline,
and in the mid-'70s there were only 40 in the entire country. Compare that
to 2010, when the Brewers Association reports there were 1,759 operating breweries
in the U.S.
At least one brewmaster is required at each facility, and at larger companies
there is more than one brewmaster.
Approximately 1.8 million Americans are directly or indirectly employed
in the beer industry, according to the Beer Institute.
Getting your foot in the door at a brewery isn't easy, says Hurst.
"It's really hard," says Hurst. "We take interns occasionally, but even
the interns say it's hard to get internships, so it's hard to get a job where
you don't even get paid, never mind a paying job.
"That's because... a lot of people who like beer fantasize about getting
into beer," Hurst adds. "So even if you've gone through a (brewing) program...
you're still competing against a home brewer who's been brewing for 20 years
and trying to get a job."
Salaries for brewmasters vary, depending where they work. Brewmasters who
run their own business may only earn whatever profit they make from sales.
As the business grows, so do their wages. They may also have shares in the
brewery for which they work.
Generally, salaries for brewmasters vary, depending where they work. Brewmasters
who run their own business may only earn what profit they make from sales.
As the business grows, so do their wages. They may also have shares in the
brewery for which they work.
Earnings and employment information from the U.S. Department of Labor is
not available for this field at this time.