How to Be Brewers Assistant - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 3, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The rising popularity of craft beer has had a direct effect on the demand for brewers assistants. With more and more breweries popping up all over the country, there is an increased need for experienced and knowledgeable staff to help brew recipes, monitor fermentation and ensure quality control. This has created a variety of job opportunities for those with an interest in the beer industry, such as brewmasters, fermentation specialists and quality control technicians. With the right combination of education and experience, brewers assistants can build successful careers in the craft beer industry, making it a lucrative and rewarding profession.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Most employers prefer applicants who have completed high school or obtained a GED.
Enroll in a college program in brewing technology. Brewing technology programs are available at many post-secondary institutions, including some community colleges and online schools. These courses provide an understanding of the principles and techniques of beer production.
Gain experience in the brewing industry. Many employers prefer to hire people who have prior experience in the brewing industry. Consider internships, apprenticeships or jobs as a brew house operator or assistant brewer.
Learn about food safety, sanitation and hygiene. As a brewer's assistant, you will be responsible for maintaining a clean and sanitary environment in which to brew beer. It is important to understand food safety, sanitation and hygiene protocols and procedures.
Understand the laws and regulations regarding beer production. A brewer's assistant must understand the legal aspects of beer production in order to comply with laws and regulations.
Obtain certification as a Cicerone Beer Server. A Cicerone Beer Server designation is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a working knowledge of beer styles, flavors, ingredients, and brewing processes.
Apply for positions as a brewer's assistant. Once you have obtained the necessary educational qualifications, experience and certification, you can apply for jobs as a brewer's assistant. Be sure to highlight your qualifications and experience on your resume and cover letter.

Staying ahead and efficient requires dedication, organization, and a plan. When one dedicates themselves to their work and creates a plan to systematically work, they are able to stay ahead and efficient. Organization is also key, as it allows for all of the pieces of the project to be tracked and accounted for.

When one has an organized workspace, it enables them to focus on the task at hand. using tools such as calendars, task lists, and project management software can help one stay on track with their work and prioritize tasks. Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is also important, as it can reduce stress levels and allow for more productivity.

Lastly, communication is key when working with others in order to ensure that everyone is on the same page about the project timeline and expectations. Following these steps will help any Brewer's Assistant stay ahead and efficient with their work.

You may want to check Barrel Brewer, Craft Brewer, and Production Brewer for alternative.

Job Description

Assist Brewmaster in brewing beer and other alcoholic beverages.
Measure and weigh ingredients to ensure proper proportions.
Monitor fermentation process and adjust as needed.
Monitor temperature, pressure, and other variables during brewing process.
Clean and sanitize equipment regularly.
Maintain accurate records of brewing process and ingredients.
Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations.
Perform minor maintenance and repairs on brewing equipment.
Troubleshoot brewing issues and identify solutions.
Manage inventory of supplies and order new items as needed.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of brewing techniques such as mash temperature control, fermentation management, yeast management, wort and beer production.
Ability to follow recipes and calculate and adjust recipes for successful beer production.
Knowledge of food safety and sanitary protocols for working with brewing ingredients and equipment.
Ability to troubleshoot brewing processes and identify potential problems.
Ability to clean and sanitize brewing equipment according to industry standards.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Proficiency in using brewing software, databases, and spreadsheets.
Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with other members of the brewing team.
Understanding of beer styles, flavor profiles, and brewing ingredients.
Ability to lift heavy objects and work in a standing position for long periods of time.

For a successful career as a Brewer's Assistant, it is essential to possess a wide range of skills. Most importantly, one must have an aptitude for chemistry and a deep understanding of the brewing process. Knowledge of sanitation practices, fermentation and yeast management, as well as hop and malt selection are also essential.

the ability to work in a team environment and troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently is a must. Without these skills, it is difficult to handle the day-to-day tasks associated with the job, such as monitoring fermentation, adding hops and malt, and cleaning and sanitizing equipment. If these skills are mastered, then aBrewer's Assistant can create high-quality beers and contribute significantly to the success of the brewery.

Head Kettle Brewer, Lead Brewer, and Quality Control Brewer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with beer brewing?
Describe a time when you worked as part of a team to brew a successful beer.
How do you keep up with changes in the beer brewing industry?
What techniques or processes do you use to ensure consistent beer quality?
How would you handle a situation where a customer is unhappy with the taste of their beer?
What safety measures do you take when working with brewing equipment?
What do you think is the most important skill for a brewer's assistant?
What steps do you take to maintain a clean and sterile work environment?
How do you troubleshoot problems with brewing equipment?
How do you deal with stress when working in a high-pressure environment?

Common Tools in Industry

Mash Tun. A container used to steep grains in hot water to extract sugars for brewing beer. (eg: 10 gallon stainless steel mash tun)
Wort Chiller. A device used to quickly cool boiled wort in order to create a stable temperature for fermenting beer. (eg: counterflow wort chiller)
Hydrometer. An instrument used to measure the density of liquid and calculate the alcohol content of beer. (eg: triple-scale hydrometer)
Airlock. A device used to allow gasses to escape from a fermenter while keeping oxygen and other contaminants out. (eg: three-piece airlock)
Bottle Capper. A tool used to secure bottle caps onto bottles of beer. (eg: bench capper)
Bottle Filler. A device used to fill bottles with beer. (eg: counterpressure bottle filler)
Refractometer. An instrument used to measure the amount of sugar in a liquid, usually beer wort. (eg: digital refractometer)
Thermometer. A device used to measure the temperature of liquids, such as wort and beer. (eg: digital thermometer)
Kettle. A container used to boil wort and other liquids. (eg: 20 gallon stainless steel kettle)
Funnel. A device used for transferring liquids such as yeast and priming sugar into bottles or fermenters. (eg: stainless steel funnel)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Homebrewers Association
Brewers Association
Brewers of Europe
Master Brewers Association of the Americas
Institute of Brewing and Distilling
Society of Beer Educators
Craft Beer Association
Homebrewers Association of Canada
Australian Homebrewers Association
National Homebrewers Conference

We also have Kettle Brewer, Cask Brewer, and Brewmaster jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Wort. Unfermented beer made from malted grains, hops, and water.
Mash. Mixture of crushed grains and hot water used to extract sugars to create wort.
Sparge. Process of rinsing the mash with hot water to remove the last bit of extractable sugars.
Fermentation. Process of converting the sugars in the wort to alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Gravity. Measurement of the density of a liquid, used to measure the amount of sugar in wort.
Hops. Flowers of the hop plant that are added to wort for flavor, aroma, and bitterness.
Yeast. Microorganism used to convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide during fermentation.
Clarification. Removal of yeast, proteins, and other sediment before bottling or kegging.
Priming. Addition of a small amount of sugar before bottling or kegging to provide food for the yeast to create carbonation.
Carbonation. Creation of carbon dioxide in the beer through fermentation or priming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brewer's Assistant?

Brewer's Assistant is a free, online homebrewing calculator that helps homebrewers calculate and track beer recipes, ingredients, and batches.

What features does Brewer's Assistant offer?

Brewer's Assistant offers a variety of features to help homebrewers calculate, track, and store recipes, ingredients, and batches. Features include a recipe builder, hop utilization calculator, yeast calculator, priming sugar calculator, mash calculator, beer style guide, and more.

What types of beers can I make with Brewer's Assistant?

Brewer's Assistant can be used to create any type of beer recipe, from light lagers to high gravity ales. It also includes a beer style guide to help you choose the right style for your beer.