Technical Brewer

Also known as:

Brewer, Technical

Introduction

Technical brewers are responsible for producing beers and related products. In large breweries, they may specialise in one aspect of the process, such as fermentation or quality control. In small breweries, the brewer may control all stages.

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Work Activities

Technical brewers manage the brewery process and are responsible for producing consistently high quality beers and related products.

They use their specialist knowledge of the chemistry, biochemistry and biology of the raw materials, such as cereal products, hops and yeast, as well as their knowledge of mechanical, chemical and electrical engineering, during the process of converting raw materials into the final product.

There are four main stages in the production process - brewing, fermenting, processing and packaging.

In large breweries, the technical brewer is likely to specialise in a single stage of the brewing process, such as fermentation, quality control or research and development (for example developing new recipes). The technical brewer supervises the process and controls an automated system, often from an electronic panel.

In a small brewery, the technical brewer may control all stages, by managing a team of production workers and giving instructions on the timing of various activities.

The technical brewer may take overall responsibility for the maintenance of machinery and plant.

Whatever the size of the brewery, much of the work involves controlling the brewing process.

The technical brewer works closely with a laboratory team who test samples of beer, to ensure consistency and quality. Precise records must be kept, showing the times of the various stages in the production process and the quantities of raw materials used.

Senior brewers in large breweries lead a team of specialists and need to understand their technical methods and problems.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must be interested in brewing science and willing to learn about scientific and technological advances in the process.

You need to be practical and methodical. To maintain a consistent quality of beer, you will need to pay great attention to detail.

A broad knowledge of business management and the ability to manage and lead people is very important.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for technical brewers vary depending on employer and level of responsibility.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Technical brewers earn in the range of £22,500 - £26,500 a year, rising to around £33,000 - £39,000 a year. Higher earners can make around £42,000 a year.

Technical brewers usually work a basic 39-hour week, which may include shift work and work at weekends.

Most brewery workers work for the one of the large well-known Scottish breweries. However in June 2007 a tourist-oriented "Real Ale Trail" was launched in connection with VisitScotland, and a growing number of small traditional breweries take part.

There may be opportunities for self-employment in small specialist breweries and microbreweries.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Working as a brewing supervisor can lead to entry into technical brewing in certain circumstances. A background in quality control, or laboratory-based research and development in the brewing industry, can also be relevant. Other relevant skills and abilities gained as a food technologist/scientist or biochemist are useful.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

• 5% work part-time.
• 17% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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