How to Be Beer Pourer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 17, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Excessive beer consumption can lead to a range of significant health and lifestyle consequences. When beer is poured in excess, it can cause dehydration, impaired judgment, and an increase in overall caloric intake. Dehydration can cause headaches and dizziness, while impaired judgment can lead to risky behavior and poor decision-making.

Furthermore, excess consumption of beer can cause an increase in overall caloric intake, which can lead to weight gain and a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Beer pourers should be aware of these risks when serving beer to patrons, and should take measures to ensure that customers are served responsibly.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED. Many employers require beer pourers to have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Find out what the local laws are regarding pouring beer. Each state and local municipality has different laws and regulations regarding the sale and pouring of beer.
Get certified in responsible alcohol beverage service (RABS). Depending on the state, this may be a requirement for employment.
Seek out available job openings. Check your local classifieds, online job boards, and ask around at bars and restaurants.
Submit your resume and apply for the position. Most employers will require an application and/or resume.
Attend an interview. Most employers will require you to attend a face-to-face interview before being hired as a beer pourer.
Prepare yourself for the job. Make sure you are familiar with the particular bars policies and procedures, understand how to properly pour a beer, and be willing to take customer orders and complaints with a positive attitude.
Complete any necessary paperwork. Many employers will require you to fill out an employee information form or application before starting work.
Start working as a beer pourer. Once you have been hired, begin your job as a beer pourer and work hard to ensure that customers are served promptly and efficiently.

Beer pouring is an art and a science. It requires both skill and knowledge to ensure the beer is served properly. The ideal beer pourer needs to possess a number of qualities, such as attention to detail, knowledge of beer styles and proper pouring techniques, and a passion for beer.

Attention to detail ensures that the beer is poured in the correct glass, at the correct temperature, and in the correct amount. Knowing different beer styles and the appropriate pouring techniques for each type of beer is key to ensuring the beer is served as intended. Finally, a passion for beer allows the pourer to appreciate the nuances of each beer and to provide customers with a memorable experience that they will want to repeat.

Having these qualities leads to a competent and ideal beer pourer who is able to properly serve beer to customers.

You may want to check Bartender/Cashier, Bartending Instructor, and Beverage Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Check IDs and ensure that customers are of legal drinking age.
Monitor customer's drinking behavior and respond accordingly.
Clean and maintain beer taps, draft lines, beer glasses, and other beer-related equipment.
Serve various types of beers (draft, bottle, can) following proper serving procedures.
Maintain accurate records of beer sales and inventory.
Monitor the flow of beer to ensure that customers receive the correct amount of beer in their glasses.
Set up and break down beer taps, draft lines, and other beer-related equipment as needed.
Assist customers with beer selection in a polite and friendly manner.
Follow all safety procedures when handling and pouring beer.
Ensure all local laws governing alcohol sales are followed.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of various types of beers, lagers, and ales, and how to properly serve them.
Ability to pour accurately and quickly.
Ability to detect and remove foam from pours.
Ability to upsell drinks and suggest pairings.
Ability to properly clean and sanitize glassware.
Knowledge of health and safety regulations.
Knowledge of laws related to alcohol service.
Ability to work collaboratively with other staff.
Ability to identify customer needs and preferences.
Excellent customer service skills.

Having a good beer pourer is essential to ensuring that a bar or restaurant offers its customers the best possible experience. The skills required to be a great beer pourer are varied and important. First, the pourer must understand the different types of beer and the correct serving temperature and glassware for each.

They must also be able to pour the beer with a steady hand, making sure to fill the glass without overfilling it or spilling any foam. Another important skill for beer pourers is being able to interact with customers in an engaging and knowledgeable way, helping them choose the right beer for their tastes and occasion. Finally, a good beer pourer must be able to control their speed of pouring, ensuring that their customers get the perfect pour every time.

Without these skills, a beer pourer cannot provide the top-notch service that customers expect from a bar or restaurant.

Bar Tender Supervisor, Bar Tender Trainer, and Bartender Helper are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with beer pouring?
How do you ensure that customers are served quickly and accurately?
What techniques do you use to ensure proper beer pouring?
What measures do you take to ensure the safety of your customers?
How do you handle difficult customers?
How do you handle a situation where a customer is over-served?
What techniques do you use to increase beer sales?
How do you handle customer complaints?
How do you handle a situation where a customer is not following the rules about drinking responsibly?
How do you stay up to date with beer trends?

Common Tools in Industry

Beer Tap. A device used to open and dispense beer from kegs or casks. (e. g. Guinness Draft Beer Tap)
Bottle Opener. A device used to open bottles with crown caps. (e. g. Waiters Corkscrew Bottle Opener)
Jigger. A double-ended measuring device used to accurately measure liquor for cocktails. (e. g. Double Ended Jigger)
Pourer. A plastic or metal spout used to control the flow of liquid from a bottle. (e. g. Metered Speed Pourer)
Ice Scoop. A tool used to scoop ice cubes from an ice bin. (e. g. Stainless Steel Ice Scoop)
Shaker. A container used to mix ingredients of cocktails together with ice. (e. g. BarConic Stainless Steel Boston Shaker)
Strainer. A device used to strain out solid pieces from a liquid or semi-liquid mixture. (e. g. Hawthorne Strainer)

Professional Organizations to Know

Brewers Association
American Brewers Guild
Master Brewers Association of the Americas
American Homebrewers Association
Institute of Brewing & Distilling
Women in Beer
Craft Brewers Conference
Beer Judge Certification Program
Society of Beer Drinking Ladies
Pints for Prostates

We also have Beverage Director, Beverage Cart Attendant, and Bouncer/Security Guard jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Tap System. A tap system is a setup of beer kegs, lines, and taps used to dispense beer.
Kegs. A keg is a cylindrical container made of stainless steel or aluminum used to store and transport beer.
Lines. Lines are the plastic or metal tubes that connect the kegs to the beer tap and are used to move the beer from the keg to the tap.
Faucet. A faucet is a device used to control the flow of beer from the tap to a glass or mug.
Glassware. Glassware is the type of glassware used to serve beer, such as pint glasses, steins, mugs, or pilsner glasses.
Cleaning. Cleaning is the process of sanitizing the equipment and glassware used for beer pouring.
Pouring Techniques. Pouring techniques involve using specific pouring methods in order to create a perfect pour of beer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a beer pourer?

A beer pourer is a device used to dispense beer from a keg or cask. It consists of a spout and a handle, and is designed to control the flow of beer and reduce foaming.

How much beer can a beer pourer dispense?

A beer pourer can dispense up to 1 pint of beer per second, depending on the size of the keg, the type of beer, and the pressure of the tap.

What types of beer can be poured with a beer pourer?

Beer pourers are designed to work with all types of beer, including lagers, ales, stouts, and IPAs.

What is the best way to clean a beer pourer?

The best way to clean a beer pourer is to rinse it with hot water and soap, followed by a rinse with cold water. It is important to use a soft brush to remove any buildup from the spout.

How often should a beer pourer be replaced?

A beer pourer should be replaced every few months or when it becomes clogged or worn out. It is important to check the spout for signs of wear and tear before using it to ensure optimal performance.