Job type

Technical brewer

£18k - £45k

Typical salary

39 – 41

Hours per week

Technical brewers are in charge of the whole process of beer production and packaging.

More info

  • You'd be in charge of the whole process of beer production and packaging
  • You'll need practical, management and organisational skills
  • You could be a senior brewer, technical director or set up your own micro-brewery

As a technical brewer it would be your job to develop, test, and produce new beers and manage brewery workers. Be involved in all stages of the brewing process or be responsible for one part.

DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES

  • Developing new beer products
  • Checking brewing conditions
  • Maintaining quality
  • Keeping detailed records
  • Working with suppliers
  • Overseeing technical developments
  • Stock control
  • Managing the packaging process

DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT

You may need to work on a shift rota which may include evenings and weekends. Conditions are sometimes noisy and humid, and you'll usually wear protective clothing and safety boots.

You'll need

You'll need practical skills, management and organisational skills, good decision making and problem solving skills, strong spoken and written communication skills.

To start as a trainee brewer you'll usually need a degree in a relevant subject like chemical engineering, food science or technology, microbiology or chemistry.

You may also be able to do a brewer higher apprenticeship.

You could take professional qualifications in brewing offered by the Institute of Brewing & Distilling (online or at a training centre). If you have a degree, you can apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with one of the larger brewing companies.

You'll also usually need experience in a management role and some knowledge of, or experience in, brewing and distilling.

CAREER PROSPECTS

With experience you could progress to senior brewer or technical director. You could become self-employed and set up your own micro-brewery.