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Brew Master

Beer: Gilded Otter Brewing, New Paltz, NY
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Can you feel a new career brewing? Do the words malt, barley and hops conjure up images of lagers, ales, and pilsners? Then you may be ready to shout “Cheers!” to a Brewmaster VocationVacation package with Head Brew Master Darren Currier of The Gilded Otter!

The Gilded Otter is a beautiful lodge-style restaurant/brew pub in historic New Paltz, NY. The gorgeous Hudson Valley setting overlooks incredible views of the Wallkill River and Shawangunk cliffs. Named for a ship that first brought in French Huguenots, the Gilded Otter has remarkable architecture, a lively atmosphere (especially on Friday and Saturday nights, when there is live music), mouthwatering food and a large selection of fresh, handcrafted beers. In 2001 the Matthew Vassar Brewers' Cup (named in honor of the famous Hudson Valley brewer and philanthropist, Matthew Vassar, who in the late 1800's established one of the largest and most successful breweries in the Hudson Valley) named The Gilded Otter the best brewery in New York.

The award-winning “decoction” brewery, set in the middle of the restaurant, beckons patrons to observe the beer-making process. The Gilded Otter sells only its own brews – directly from beer vat to bar tap! A wide variety of choices rotates seasonally, with favorites like Back Porch Blueberry Lager, Grizzly Brown Porter and Clove Pumpkin Ale. There are also Great American Beer Festival winners, like the Stone House Imperial Stout (Gold Medal winner) and Dusseldorf Althier (a two-time Bronze Medal winner).  

Darren started his career in 1998 as a home brewer. After getting a BA in Geology from New Paltz College, he took a government job in Vermont. A chance meeting there with an investor of a microbrewery prompted Darren to attend The Siebel Institute for Brewing Technology in Chicago. Afterward, he made the leap from home brew to microbrewing and never looked back. Today, Darren is responsible for the beer-making process for The Gilded Otter, has gained vast knowledge about equipment and technology, and has the freedom to experiment and create unique beers. He’s working his dream job! What is the most rewarding part of his job? “Watching people drink the beer!” exclaims Darren.

Here's what a recent Vocationer had to say about their experience at Gilded Otter:

“I never expected to be working in a brewery less than a year and a half
after my brew master VocationVacation at Gilded Otter. Although it is only part-time, it is an opportunity afforded to me that would never have happened without VocationVacations and its quest to get people out of their dull and dreary jobs. The light at the end of my 23-year supermarket career just shined even brighter.”
Mark Pfeffers
Fishkill, NY

During your Brew Master VocationVacations® dream job holiday, Darren Currier of The Gilded Otter will lead you through some or all of the following beer brewing-related activities:

  • Raw material evaluation
  • Recipe check
  • Getting started – mashing in
  • Mixing the hops into the wort
  • Pitching yeast into the fermenter
  • Conducting lab work (look at those lil’ critters under the microscope!)
  • Keg filling
  • Sparging
  • TASTING the rewards of your hard day’s labor while discussing business operations, including sales and marketing strategies
  • Working the tasting room
The Brew Master VocationVacations® experience includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as a Brew Master
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post-VocationVacation career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job becoming a reality
  • Light lunches with your mentor

Available: Monday & Tuesday or Tuesday & Wednesday, all year based on mentor's availability with exception of holidays

Price: $849 Per Person

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Suggested Accommodations

Minnewaska Lodge

Mohonk Mountain House

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations adventure:

Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:

Full paymvent of the VocationVacations dream job holiday is required to make a reservation. A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacations adventure cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. In the US, Grounded Nomads, LLC and VocationVacations holidays encourage all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling. In the UK, Grounded Nomads, Ltd and VocationVacations holidays must require all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling and provide verification of such travel insurance to Grounded Nomads, Ltd.