Job type

Microbrewer

£2k - £45k

Typical salary

12 – 42

Hours per week

Microbrewers produce and market their own alcoholic drinks like beers, ciders and gins.

More info

Produce and market your own alcoholic drinks
Requires the ability to work on your own
You could become a master brewer

DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES

Creating your own drinks recipes
Ordering raw ingredients from suppliers
Setting up and monitoring beer or spirits production
Bottling and packing finished products
Cleaning and maintaining equipment
Promoting your drinks at local markets, beer festivals and on social media
Taking customer orders and arranging deliveries
Attending product launches and tasting sessions
Recruiting and training new staff

DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT

You could work at a brewery, distillery or in a workshop. Your working environment may be warm and physically active and you may need to wear safety clothing.

You'll need

This role would be ideal for someone who is interested in creating their own alcoholic drinks with excellent verbal communication skills, observation and recording skills.

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent qualifications, for a higher or a degree apprenticeship.

You could start by doing a brewer higher apprenticeship with a brewing company.

You could also take professional qualifications. These are offered by the Institute of Brewing & Distilling, either online or at a training centre. You can also train with private companies who offer specialist courses in brewing.

You could set up your own microbrewery if you have the right skills, knowledge and experience. You can get advice on setting up a new business from Business is Great and Brew School.

You'll need to have a driving licence and register as a brewer with HM Revenue and Customs to pay alcohol duty. You'll also have to join the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme, if you plan to sell to other businesses. You must register your premises with the environmental health department of your local council.

You could join the Society of Independent Brewers for training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

CAREER PROSPECTS

You could increase production volume and become a bigger brewery, or work for a larger brewery company as a master brewer. You could also become a consultant, giving advice to others on setting up in the craft drinks trade. You could run brewing or distilling workshops for people new to microbrewing or for hobbyists.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS