The Smithsonian’s Needs a Craft Beer Historian. Inquire Within.

The job pays a handsome salary and requires “field research”

July 26, 2016 9:00 am

If you’re looking for work (or even if you’re not), we’ve just got word that the Smithsonian is hiring a craft beer historian. And yes, field research will be required.

The museum — which needs to fill a position in its American Brewing History Initiative project — says the ideal candidate will “work and develop content for a wide variety of programs and applications” and encourages applicants with degrees in business, brewing or food to apply.

Specifically, the Smithsonian needs an employee “to conduct archival and field research for a new initiative on American brewing history, with special emphasis on the craft industry” for the next three years, according to the job posting.

While the notion of the country’s most decorated museum paying someone $64,000 a year to guzzle suds may sound excessive, Division of Work and Industry curator Paula Johnson insists the Smithsonian’s  affiliated wine and winemaking program has been on the level since it started in 1996.

“People raise their eyebrows about historians going to Napa Valley and doing ‘field research,’ but you know, they come back with the goods,” Johnson told The Washingtonian.

To apply, send a CV, cover letter and three references to Abigail Karow by August 10th.

If you don’t get the gig, there’s still time to go back to school for that MBA in Bourbon Studies.

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