A VA brewery will pay you $20K and give you free beer to hike the Appalachian Trail

View from the boulder-covered summit of Blackrock in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Photo from Getty Images

Do you love hiking and beer? Then oh boy do we have a job for you.

Devils Backbone Brewing Company in Lexington, VA is sponsoring one lucky person to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2021. This spring, the company is accepting applications for their 2021 Chief Hiking Officer. The Chief Hiking Officer will be outfitted with gear, flown to the trailhead, and thrown some “big ol’ beer parties” along the way. They’ll also receive a $20k stipend. 

How do you know if you’re qualified? “You’ve gotta love hiking and beer. We mean really love it. We’re talking 2,200 miles, camping under the stars, pack-in-pack-out for 5-7 months love it.” The company says on their website.

Applicants must be experienced hikers and live in DC, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia. Applicants must also be 21 years or older.

Additionally, the Chief Hiking Officer must be able to post “lots of great content” during their hike. “The only real ask of our CHO other than hiking is to send us some content that we can share with our followers to cheer you on as you go! Know how to work a camera? Great. Know how to work a camera and get a bunch of likes? Even better,” the brewery says on their website. 

A video entry is required to apply. Submit a 60-second video that explains why you’re the best fit for the Chief Hiking Officer position—and then start training!

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