The American Dream Is Alive
May 13th, 2009
A little insight into the American Dream and the essence of culture from brew pub owner Joe Petras
by Richard Markosian
The American dream has become elusive--an idea lost in bail-outs, bankruptcies and a loss of American ingenuity. Americans are finally learning from the rest of the world to rely more on the government to aid and assist us in everything we do.
If you listen to the news reports from the main-stream media, this might be what you believe.
But Joe Petras doesn't believe this. Joe and his wife Helen believe the "American Dream" is alive and well in Utah--the only requirement according to Joe "is to begin working when you wake up and stop when the sun goes down."
Joe is one of these men who you can't help but like right away. He has a face of a man who knows hard work and probably never complains about long hours. He gives his wife Helen all the credit for the success of Bohemian Brewery. Joe's good nature, generosity and great beer attract very loyal customers. While we were there filming Joe's segment on our larger documentary on the Craft Brew Industry in Utah we got to know Joe's head brewer Bobby.
Bobby is the third brewer for Bohemian. He spent 4 years in college studying Psychology and ended up with $60,000 in student loans and no job opportunities. While in college Bobby discovered he had a more of a passion for brewing beer than understanding the human psyche. So enrolled in brewer's school, which was a $10,000 six week program to learn the art of beer brewing in an apprenticeship program. After graduating, he heard about the opening at Bohemian Brewery in Utah. He flew out and was hired by Joe. So he packed everything he could into his small Toyota and drove out West to seek his fortune.
Bobby said before coming he didn't know anything about Utah. But now he is addicted to Utah powder and regularly snowboards at Snowbird in the winter. He has no desire to move back to Boston.
A Lack of Respect For Brewers in Utah
Joe says that the Utah Department of Workforce Services has no category for "brewer". According to the state government their isn't such a job." When Joe needs to hire more help for Bobby he has to put the job under the category of cook.
Certainly Utah government and state legislature has been slow to accept the rise in popularity of the craft brew pub industry, and the huge popularity of Utah beers like Bohemian. Brew pubs have only been legal in Utah since 1986. Utah is now home to 12 craft breweries, most of which are flourishing. Joe Petra's brew pub epitomizes why these establishments are such assets to our communities.
Around Bohemian Brewery in Midvale is the Fort Union shpping area. The area could pass for Anytown U.S.A--full of strip malls and corporate chain stores: there is a Target, Wal-Mart, Office Max, Applebees, Sizzler and 50 other chain stores in the area. Bohemian Brewery stands out as a cultural gem. Inside customers toast with big stein glasses full of fresh beer. Everyone enjoys the authentic, fresh hand-made food. The employees are like a family, many have worked there for over 5 years and they tell us they love Joe and Helen. We felt welcome as we sat at the bar and drank Bobby's award winning Cherny Bock and ate their special stuffed pork loin and brick oven pizza. Everything was delicious.
Joe Petras suffered a massive heart attack two weeks ago, our prayers and wishes are with the Petras' and we all hope Joe makes a speedy recovery.
