I've been looking to get a job anywhere along the three-tier system (producer/brewer, distributor, retailer). Bartending didn't really come into my focus, as the majority of bartending jobs are more mixed drinks and less about beer (furthermore: 90% of the beer sold in Texas bars, via bottle or draft, are 'macrobrewer' beers... I have a general distaste for that).
That being said, unfortunately most of the jobs in any of the three fields are either minimum wage or barely above (and insufficient) or are managerial and require years of experience.
I'm essentially shut out. I'm doing my best to cold-call and meet with the local brewery owners - and luckily my work for the volunteer group (Texas Microbrewery Advocates) is a great networking tool to meet with these owners. All the same, they are small crews and they already generally have their staff.
